magick musings…

…casual writing.

According to Paul Raymond Martin’s Inspiration and Motivation Writer’s Little Instruction Book!

And I quote:

‘Everything you write is an opportunity to practice your craft, whether it’s a sympathy note, a personal letter, an email message, or an anecdote in your journal. Express yourself as well as you can at that particular moment.’

Of course, I try my best to practice my craft. Writing my shopping list is a work of art. I just don’t actually remember to take it to the store with me.

And answering an email to my co-workers takes an hour to craft to make sure the verbage is just so. Unfortunately, by the time I finally get it done, I have six others from them I need to answer. Must write faster…must write faster!

But I did get four pages done over the weekend. Unfortunately, two on one book and two on the other. But I have set a new goal. I don’t dare voice it as I don’t want the evil trolls of non-writing to hear and visit me.

I will be so glad when fall comes. The weather has been hitting over 100 for weeks now. We had to have the air conditioning company come and fix our upstairs a/c and thankyouverymuch, God, it only cost $194.58! He said we needed a new coil but this one should last us over the winter. In case you didn’t know, coils are VERY expensive.

I hope he means this coming winter. That’s what he said last summer. Or, maybe, he thinks it is still summer from last year since we didn’t have a winter this year. 😯

We have some people in from Minnesota visiting at work and they said their nights have been in the 60’s up north. They are still in shock that last night at 8:30pm it was still in the 80’s.

Welcome to Texas, boys. :cowboy:

~Sandy

…you graduate college in Texas:

Your friends take you to a place where they make you sit on a saddle in front of everyone and holler “Yee Haw!”

Congratulations to my youngest son! We are so proud of you!

Got some rain Saturday and it was definitely needed. Was even treated to some thunder and lightening. I love storms. But the rest of the week will be slightly over the 100’s.

Didn’t get much done this weekend except the graduation ceremony and visiting with the twin grandsons. Forgot how busy three year olds can keep you.

Want to say a very special Happy Birthday to Amie! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Did anyone get any writing done? Or maybe read something good?

~Sandy

It’s a scorcher out there, folks. Got into my car after work and the temp was registering 108 degrees. School started in a lot of districts and I am not sure how the wee folk can stand it. I can’t wait for my kind of weather. October weather. The fall. When leaves start turning and the air is crisp and cooler and all seems right with the world. And Starbucks comes out with frothy drinks called Pumpkin Spice Latte.

My boss is headed to the Colorado mountains in a few weeks and I am so jealous.

If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in the mountains. Where would you live if you had your choice?

~Sandy

Wanda’s dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, “I’ll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter and I’ll mail you a check.”

“Oh, by the way don’t worry about my bulldog Spike. He won’t bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!”

“I REPEAT, DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!”

When the repairman arrived at Wanda’s apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking bulldog he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.

The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling.

Finally the repairman couldn’t contain himself any longer and yelled, “Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!”

To which the parrot replied, “Get him, Spike!”

See– Men just don’t listen!

Note from Sandy:
Present company excluded for all those men out there that just might read this blog.

~Sandy

…what you wish for.

A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.
As he sits, the waitress comes over and asks for their orders.
The man says, “I’ll have a hamburger, fries and a coke,” and turns to
the ostrich, “What’s yours?” I’ll have the same,” says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress returns with the order.
That’ll be $6.40 please,” and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls
out the exact change for payment.

The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, “I’ll
have a hamburger, fries and a coke,” and the ostrich says, “I’ll have
the same.”
Once again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.
This becomes a routine until late one evening, the two enter again. “The
usual?” asks the waitress.
“No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato and
salad,” says the man, “Same for me,” says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress comes with the order and says, “That
will be $12.62.”
Once again the man pulls exact change out of his pocket and places it on
the table.

The waitress can’t hold back her curiosity any longer.
Excuse me, sir. How do you manage to always come up with the exact
change out of your pocket every time?”
“Well,” says the man, “several years ago I was cleaning the attic and I
found an old lamp. When I rubbed it a Genie appeared and offered me two
wishes.
My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just
put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be
there.”
“That’s brilliant!” says the waitress. “Most people would wish for a
million dollars or something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want
for as long as you live!”
“That’s right. Whether it’s a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact
money is always there,” says the man.
The waitress asks, “One other thing, sir, what’s with the ostrich?”
The man sighs, pauses, and answers, “My second wish was for a tall chick
with long legs who agrees with everything I say……….”

Check out Bailey’s ‘You Know You Are a Romance Writer When…” Very funny! And maybe just a little bit true…

Have a happy Tuesday!

~Sandy J

…my RWA National Conference pics:

It’s not just a little heat, but down right hot in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

But have I let it get me down? Nope! I’ll have you know this weekend I cleaned and cooked and laundered and vacuumed and mopped and shopped for groceries and got my hair cut and highlighted (Dennie picked out the color) and weeded the flower bed (okay one side of it) and cleaned up my desk and made out the bills and spent time with the family (only because they were whining we never ‘talk’!). :juggle:

And before you gasp in wonder and clap your hands in glee, I have to let you know I even finished it by getting some writing done! :page:

Was that a great weekend or what!!!!

Believe it or not, I was able to get out of bed Monday morning. But it was just a wee bit harder this morning! :lovecoffee:

Even with all that it still doesn’t beat the kind of weekend both Mik and Dennie had! Check their stories out! But, hey, they are really overachievers!

Went to lunch with ‘C’ and ‘N’ from work today and discovered they loved reading as much as I do. ‘C’ sometimes reads three books a weekend! Promised them I would bring home books for them from Nationals next week. But ‘N’ has never read Janet Evanovich or JD Robb so I am bringing her the first two from each series to get her hooked.

What about you? How was your weekend? And what is planned for this week?

~Sandy J

…is a good cup of coffee. As the Faith Hill song goes.

Love my new job. Hate that I don’t have as much time to blog, but I decided I would do what I could and not worry about it. Will just have to catch up on the weekends. So if any of you want to know why I don’t visit as often as I did, I will still run by sometime during the week or weekend. Probably just not every day.

Last night, after a full day of work starting at o’dark thirty and ending at o’dark thirty, my supervisor and I ended the day attending at seminar on a new vaccine just coming out. The restaurant was Del Frisco’s and if you have never eaten there, you definitely NEED to. They are known for their steaks and mine was beyond delicious. The warm bread melted in your mouth and the potatoes were excellent. Won’t mention the strawberry cheesecake I brought home for later. Didn’t wait much later, though, because if any of those who shall remain nameless found it in the fridge…

I have a full weekend. Our chapter is having the website professionally done and he sent us the prototype the other day. The webisite committee got together and came up with some changes and tweaking, so have to get those to him. Dennie and I are having our hair done tomorrow to get ready for Nationals in less than two weeks. Have an eye doctor appointment for new glasses. Grocery shopping, laundry, post office, bank, church on Sunday…already feel a Starbucks need coming on.

Now! Drumrolls please!

Check out my two good friends good news…

Michelle’s new book, Talk Dirty to Me, is now available! Click here to order it!

Dennie’s new book cover is out with the book available September 19 – just before my birthday.

Way to go, girlfriends! So proud of both of you!

~Sandy J

…are all reaching different places in their lives. Actually have four sons, but number two has not called lately (Ahem!) so don’t know what’s up with him.

But number 1 son-who-is-father-of-the-twins is having his birthday today. I only think of how old I am getting when I think of how old he is so I ignore his age. Therefore, I can ignore my age. Happy Birthday, Son! Though you are going through some trying times right now, God is with you and will get you through it. I love you!

Number 3 son will be going into the Marines next January. He works out daily at the gym and weekly with the Marines to get into shape and develop stamina before boot camp. But he came home the other day saying that his instructor stated he needs to lose 15 pounds in 15 days. He is only 190 pounds right now! And fairly tall. That ticked me off. How could the Marines want a skinny recruit? And I am concerned because of the emotional impact of making him worry so much about his weight will have on him. But, hey, son, if you happened to find a way to do it, let me in on the secret! I’m going to bottle it and and then retire!

Number 4 son took his last college exam last week. Although the ceremony is not until August, he is now a college graduate, the first of all our boys to achieve that status. You have now begun a new chapter in your life. And chapters can make you laugh, cry, scream, exhaust you, bore you, and take you to new heights or to disturbing lows. Hopefully, though, you will experience all this in your own place of residence! Congrats, Son! We are proud of you.

Very proud of all my sons. They don’t do everything perfect, but neither do I. And the ‘struggles make you stronger and the challenges make you wise’ (Life Ain’t Always Beautiful by Gary Allen). I wish for all of you love, wisdom, happiness, health, and wealth. In that order. And I hope you dance.

~Sandy J