tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69499082877632430272024-02-07T19:36:31.914-06:00Dime Store NovelMary O'Malley has decided it's time to let the world know about the weave that divides the physical world from the realms of the gods. After all, Hanover Fist has been investigating their shennanigans for nearly 100 years and she's got every bit of it documented. Although Mary will lead the blog, she expects guests to drop in, including Toledo Cats, Regan Worth, and Hanover Fist himself.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-49728650763686879062016-04-11T00:01:00.000-05:002016-04-11T09:02:20.320-05:00This Piece of My Heart<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH5Zgk-0mccCKb_9fQpopDHzGizWVmjQhcsMcDpycfPjnzmvsb7Rh_dZ5jnMqH4eE6o4dI0mgpMFw77FD8GKdQ6I_Fl5kI5yTkuxQLshyka1wANJGuU49OgfJzYx1GuMG5b0DXhE-ATjS/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH5Zgk-0mccCKb_9fQpopDHzGizWVmjQhcsMcDpycfPjnzmvsb7Rh_dZ5jnMqH4eE6o4dI0mgpMFw77FD8GKdQ6I_Fl5kI5yTkuxQLshyka1wANJGuU49OgfJzYx1GuMG5b0DXhE-ATjS/s200/regan.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regan Worth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mary and I don't agree on much sometimes, but we do agree that the book <i>This Piece of My Heart</i>, by Robyn M. Ryan, which will be released on May 2nd is fantastic.<br />
I like the story because I can identify with the main character, Caryn Stevens. Here's what she had to say about destiny:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Destiny. What a
ridiculous nineteenth century word! Like anyone buys into that concept
these days. Of course, if you’re Prince William, you know your destiny is to
become King of England some day. Who else really talks about </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">destiny?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> No
one. Except my parents. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They decided my destiny the day I was
born.</i></span><br />
<br />
Our destinies are different, but the battle against destiny is real. <a href="http://chicksdigsportsromance.com/sneak-peek/" target="_blank">Click here if you want to know Caryn's ideas about her destiny. </a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ytdSPGSTT0j8uPms1UWCEHVJMb_iMhsBT2kSb-ng0x0DDB27NOXLyGvCsmQvYOorkdKm0m9qaNYYlRS2PgY7bjJvUPxCiPiF6qSs90RfIYFxbDdThfTNoTp47-2oxn6p98L6EAC0RMMj/s1600/giftfromgod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ytdSPGSTT0j8uPms1UWCEHVJMb_iMhsBT2kSb-ng0x0DDB27NOXLyGvCsmQvYOorkdKm0m9qaNYYlRS2PgY7bjJvUPxCiPiF6qSs90RfIYFxbDdThfTNoTp47-2oxn6p98L6EAC0RMMj/s320/giftfromgod.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
Mary likes it be it's a sweet romantic story. She likes that kind of thing.<br />
<br />
She also likes the fact that the protagonist is a hot hockey player. Actually, we both like that part. I mean, after all....(see picture to the right). We have to be careful not to let Hanover overhear us talking about Andrew Chadwick's gym shorts. He doesn't want to hear about other guys' butts. Of course, Andrew Chadwick is not just a nice hockey hunk. <a href="http://chicksdigsportsromance.com/sneak-preview-piece-heart-meet-andrew/" target="_blank">He has dreams and worries too</a>.<br />
<br />
We were lucky enough to get an early look at the book because our writer knows Robyn M. Ryan.<br />
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<b>You can preorder your copy at:</b><br />
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Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Piece-Heart-Clearing-Book-ebook/dp/B01CPZ7Y3I">http://www.amazon.com/This-Piece-Heart-Clearing-Book-ebook/dp/B01CPZ7Y3I</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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iBooks: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/this-piece-of-my-heart/id1091024916?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/this-piece-of-my-heart/id1091024916?mt=11</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also comment on this blog post before May 7th to win a FREE ebook copy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DgNgKnKiFcZQz-IuBeE9FmFE_8BwGh4qUTzAuw_44w71UMmHXjpE3J-JHY6XLftGGPuBmEwYF3keW-qRHPpJqU-XO9ooXG2GmJ-sGWjpHQDWajVluOVd4C68R08qUkrVUoBhqDbJ009Z/s1600/Music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DgNgKnKiFcZQz-IuBeE9FmFE_8BwGh4qUTzAuw_44w71UMmHXjpE3J-JHY6XLftGGPuBmEwYF3keW-qRHPpJqU-XO9ooXG2GmJ-sGWjpHQDWajVluOVd4C68R08qUkrVUoBhqDbJ009Z/s320/Music.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another reason we both like Caryn Stevens is that she's a music fan. </div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="d04251231157" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251231157/" id="rcwidget_soutt87a" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
If you're a Goodreads member, you can add the book to your To-Read list and learn more about it by visiting:<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Goodreads: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29470235-this-piece-of-my-heart">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29470235-this-piece-of-my-heart</a></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-63981987442201822522015-03-08T16:05:00.002-05:002015-03-08T16:13:13.301-05:00An Interview with Grumwald the Goblin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
It dawned on me that Dime Store Novel has a large cast of characters and that it might be fun to spotlight some of the people who make the stories happen. One of them is our friend Grumwald. Grumwald's a little camera shy, being a goblin, so John E. Miller provided us with a sketch of Grumwald.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Welcome to the blog, Grumwald.<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>I was promised some of Jesse's golden goodness, and yet my glass is empty.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>We're out of Jesse's rum. Can I get you an iced tea?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yHKkyygDzibNYdwjIuHgr7q1kJOwgD9rE3B1OASVZl5k3c6Qz9A9VdRFN3lyevjsg2oq9YRMmBoEx1pKeju8PZ-A5X6r0vOwqJqXDdHO2DFfHCAzzcKw0G8ay7STS4wo3DTqIn8Umj08/s1600/grumwald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yHKkyygDzibNYdwjIuHgr7q1kJOwgD9rE3B1OASVZl5k3c6Qz9A9VdRFN3lyevjsg2oq9YRMmBoEx1pKeju8PZ-A5X6r0vOwqJqXDdHO2DFfHCAzzcKw0G8ay7STS4wo3DTqIn8Umj08/s1600/grumwald.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a><b>Grumwald: </b>A little spirit of the Glen will do then. I prefer Fiddich, but I'll settle for something else.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Of course. (shouts) Hanover, can you get our friend Grumwald a glass scotch.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanover:</b> You never listen, do you Mary? I told you to have a glass of something ready.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Alright, you were right. I just thought the interview might go better without whiskey.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanover: </b>(sets down a glass of scotch in front of Grumwald) You take it up, right?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>I talk it any way I can get it. (leans over and whispers to Hanover) She doesn't take after her father much, does she?<br />
<br />
<b>Hanover: </b>Be easy on her. She's got her father's genius, but not his fortitude.<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>(raises his glass and shoots it down). I'd better have another.<br />
<br />
(Mary gives Hanover a scornful look.)<br />
<br />
<b>Hanover: </b>I'll just leave the bottle.<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>Good idea. (pours another full glass) Now I'm ready.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>You are in charge of the goblins, is that correct?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>In charge of is a strong word. We goblins don't really believe in an authoritarian structure. I am a goblin and I sometimes have to make decisions that involve other goblins, but mostly I'd rather just enjoy life.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>What do you do for enjoyment?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>(raises his glass and winks at Mary, then takes a swallow).<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Anything besides drinking?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>Dancing is fun. We goblins can take pretty much any shape, you know. Making bets is even more fun.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Have you ever made a bet you regret?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>I think I'll take a fifth on that one.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Take <i>the</i> fifth?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>The fifth, a fifth. You Americans are so picky about language.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Well, it's just that the expression...<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>Blah blah blah. Did you invite me here to bicker about American expressions?<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>No sir. How would you describe your relationship to the fairies?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>I have never had a relationship with a fairy -- maybe a goblin or two in the guise of a fairy, but never a fairy. They think they're too good for a one-legged goblin.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>How did you lose your leg?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>I lost it sitting on a bar stool. Truth be told, I could grow it back any time I wanted, but it's too hard to keep track of who's seen me with it and who hasn't. So some years back -- it might have been around the time you were born or maybe a bit after -- I decided to just stop growing one at all.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Back to the fairies.<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>You know, if you're so interested in the fairies, maybe you should interview one. I'm sure Hyacinth would love to flutter her wings for you if you give her a bit of honeysuckle wine. Don't stiff her like you tried to do me. (shakes his head and takes a larger sip) I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm glad we didn't end up with you.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>End up with me?<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>That was the plan. You were a blue baby -- meant for the goblins.<br />
<br />
<b>Mary: </b>Don't lie to me, Mr. Grumwald.<br />
<br />
<b>Grumwald: </b>Goblins never lie. You're confusing us with the fairies. (picks up the bottle and looks at it) Or humans, perhaps. This bottle might say Glen Fiddich, but this is rail whiskey. Our interview is over, Miss O'Malley. If you want another, you'd best track down Jesse. It'll take a snoot or two of his rum to convince me to come back.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-1353637372038387312015-03-05T13:07:00.000-06:002015-03-05T13:11:48.621-06:00Swampy Says -- Thankful for Boo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfMLz76Gs7wrS1fGDMVbgKeQuWRTr9sIo7dkdBvv6g6RhKUHKQ0fZgo_RqbZv2OTzaq-K2ua5MXpMHPxCoPbUcbZ37hRg9BvfOecpnGfPQxawBGYj5DUKmcTXXwWiEAINB2n9Icg9xyy/s1600/swampypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfMLz76Gs7wrS1fGDMVbgKeQuWRTr9sIo7dkdBvv6g6RhKUHKQ0fZgo_RqbZv2OTzaq-K2ua5MXpMHPxCoPbUcbZ37hRg9BvfOecpnGfPQxawBGYj5DUKmcTXXwWiEAINB2n9Icg9xyy/s1600/swampypic.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>I's been asked to say what I's thankful for. I guess the one thing other'n Agatha, is Boo. Boo's been my right-hand dog for so long it be hard to imagine life without him. So I's gots to thinkin' 'bout the time I met Misha and told her about how me and Boo met. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Misha
looked up and saw a small man standing in the doorway. He wore dungarees over a
cotton pajama shirt. His longish hair was sticking out in every direction. “I
like dogs. Maybe he can tell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“I told
her I ain’t decent, but she don’t listen. She’s worse’n a damn fairy. I guess
she told you, my name’s Swampy and this here is Boo.” The dog stood up abruptly
and charged at Swampy, knocking against his chest. “Down boy. I didn’t say ‘Come’.
I’s jes tellin’ the girl your name.” The dog sat and kept his eyes focused on
Swampy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“Is he
from Catahoula?” Misha asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“He from
right here in the swamp. I was out huntin’ gator one day and heard a whinin’
racket you wouldn’t believe. I looked inside the log where it was comin’ from
and seen these two eyes glowin’. Well, first I thought it was a baby coon and
then out he jumps. No bigger’n this, he was,” Swampy held his hands as if he
was encircling a small acorn squash. “I figure we was meant to be together. He
gots mixed up eyes just like me, but his are mixed up colors.” Misha looked at
the dog’s eyes and noticed one eye was blue and the other brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“He’s
cute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“He’s an
ugly cur is what he is, but he earns his keep.” Swampy gave Misha a twisted
smile and scratched the dog’s head. “Ever lost a goat in the swamp?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“We never
stayed in one place long enough to raise livestock.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">“Well I
raise goats and one gets lost in the swamp, you might as well give it up as
gator food. But Boo here rounds ‘em up and brings ‘em home. Pigs too. Hey I’s
got some baby pigs, you wanna meet ‘em?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
If I recollect right, I's already told you about Misha meetin' the pigs and I hear one hollerin' now for food, so I'd best go see to it. If y'uns like this story and want to know more 'bout my meetin' up with Misha and all of everything else that went on, you can read <a href="http://dreamdragonpress.com/dime-store-novel/rips-in-the-weave/" target="_blank">Rips in the Weave</a>. It's free for most readers and only 99 cents for Kindle.<br />
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<hr />
<b>A note from Rachelle </b><br />
Boo was inspired by @SidTheCatahoula one of @RagabashGirl 's anipal friends on Twitter. Before we met Sid, I had never even heard of the Catahoula breed, but Sid was such a great dog, I thought a Catahoula would be a perfect companion for Swampy. So, I am thankful I got to meet @SidTheCatahoula and for all the pals I've met on Twitter. I don't let @RagabashGirl tweet much these days, but we still think of all of you.<br />
<br />
If you want to learn more about Catahoulas, here are some links.<br />
<a href="http://www.catahoularescue.com/index.html" target="_blank">Catahoula Rescue</a><br />
<a href="http://www.catahoulaleopard.com/homepg.htm" target="_blank">Catahoula Leopard Dog - Breed History</a><br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=252587" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-71444828942114466152014-11-03T12:01:00.000-06:002014-11-03T12:01:04.719-06:00Louisiana Snowflake Excerpt #Nanowrimo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Vt-WQEGMEuwzmVUVYilL4WngIQ4WISrF1oNiK0qtr7NLagUUDN-ZolPSfWTlOL254i9aaINmPdHUF5A26gURmTgTEzt7Es22Pg6R580ehVn5sAptDFALFQlCcTBJfM-OTpyhleZblUz/s1600/O'Malleypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Vt-WQEGMEuwzmVUVYilL4WngIQ4WISrF1oNiK0qtr7NLagUUDN-ZolPSfWTlOL254i9aaINmPdHUF5A26gURmTgTEzt7Es22Pg6R580ehVn5sAptDFALFQlCcTBJfM-OTpyhleZblUz/s1600/O'Malleypic.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Last July, the writers worked on two Dime Store Novel stories. Neither one is quite finished, so they are back at it for the November Nanowrimo. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Rachelle Reese is working on <i>Louisiana Snowflake </i>a story that takes place in 1905 and 1906. That time was one of the happiest times in my life. However, a dark peril faced New Orleans during that time and my best friend Dylan Worth's future was in jeopardy as 1906 began. </div>
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Here's a short excerpt of what she wrote this weekend:</div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">The creature on the throne
just stared at her with unblinking eyes that flitted between her face and her
growing belly. A deep throated noise rose from the creature, unintelligible
except for one word – unborn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">“Jumbl-iya is pleased with
your offering, Seth,” the vulture said. “Come forward and she will reward you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">The panther slinked
forward to the beast on the throne. Sue-Li took a slow step toward the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">“Stay,” the vulture
squealed and rose up, flapping its wings. It was behind her in an instant, its
long talons pressing into her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">“You’re hurting me,” she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">The talons dug deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">The panther sat on its
haunches and extended a paw. The creature inserted a syringe under the panther’s
fur and pressed the plunger. The panther slunk down to the floor and lay still
for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #e06666;">“Retreat to your room
while the pleasure is with you,” the vulture cawed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's a lot going on in <i>Louisiana Snowflake</i>, so I hope you'll check back periodically through the month for little teasers. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't forget, the <b>Dime Store Novel</b> series starts with <b><a href="http://dreamdragonpress.com/dime-store-novel/rips-in-the-weave/" target="_blank">Rips in the Weave</a></b>. You can get <b>Rips in the Weave </b>FREE right now at the following retailers:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19904" title="Smashwords">Smashwords</a></li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rips-in-the-weave/id433507491?mt=11" title="iTunes">iTunes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/Rips-in-the-Weave/fbZsCOFUkUeGxMedf_jCYQ" title="Kobo">Kobo</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rips-in-the-weave-rachelle-reese/1101117624?ean=2940011098468" title="Barnes and Noble (Nook)">Barnes and Noble (Nook)</a></li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-88161709645042909812014-10-25T12:44:00.002-05:002014-10-25T12:44:26.906-05:00Regan Recommends - Coffin Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
You might know me as a party girl...well that's because I am and I've done my share of chasing the dragon. But seriously kids...this is getting out of control. The Black Horse is worse than the dragon by a long shot. Stop dying already.<br />
<br />
The authors have been working on the story of my parents. You see...my mother became addicted to heroin in 1905. All their research, plus some events that happened prompted Rachelle Reese to write<a href="http://dreamdragonpress.com/coffin-hop-riding-the-black-horse-part-1/" target="_blank"> Riding the Black Horse</a>. It's not a Dime Store Novel, but she is sharing it for Coffin Hop and I think it's worth the read.<br />
<br />
You know I talk to ghosts. You'd think I'd get enough of them, but I still like a good ghost story, so I'll be going on the <a href="http://coffinhop.com/" target="_blank">Coffin Hop</a> and I'll definitely check out <a href="http://swampfulloflies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dust Bowl</a> by K. F. Kirwin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-24652135088707133302014-09-23T08:00:00.000-05:002014-09-23T08:00:03.865-05:00Rips in the Weave - According to Swampy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfMLz76Gs7wrS1fGDMVbgKeQuWRTr9sIo7dkdBvv6g6RhKUHKQ0fZgo_RqbZv2OTzaq-K2ua5MXpMHPxCoPbUcbZ37hRg9BvfOecpnGfPQxawBGYj5DUKmcTXXwWiEAINB2n9Icg9xyy/s1600/swampypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfMLz76Gs7wrS1fGDMVbgKeQuWRTr9sIo7dkdBvv6g6RhKUHKQ0fZgo_RqbZv2OTzaq-K2ua5MXpMHPxCoPbUcbZ37hRg9BvfOecpnGfPQxawBGYj5DUKmcTXXwWiEAINB2n9Icg9xyy/s1600/swampypic.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
1897. That was a long dang time ago, back before me and Agatha decided to get hitched. Matter of fact, before I ever met the mother of all gators.<br />
<br />
I knew Nymeria though. That nymph caused me nothin' but trouble, tryin' to get that new nymph Misha to see me nekkid. Bad enough seein' the two of them nekkid standin' there on my porch.<br />
<br />
'Sides, apart from runnin' with Nymeria, Misha seemed like a nice sort. She liked my pigs and Boo and that's what matters.<br />
<br />
I knows Agatha tole' you 'bout the happ'nins with Khrou-ach, but there's more to <b>Rips in the Weave</b> than just that old god war stuff. My friend Sassafras Cats has big problem with that sister of hers, Delilah. I never much liked Delilah. Grammy always tole me that clothes don't make a girl, it's what underneath the skin and Delilah's got nuttin' but pride underneath all them bustles and silks.<br />
<br />
If you don't believe me, you can read it for yourself and you don't even have to pay a dime. You can get <b>Rips in the Weave</b> as a free ebook. You can download it for any ebook format from <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19904" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>. It is also available free on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rips-in-the-weave/id433507491?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rips-in-the-weave-rachelle-reese/1101117624?ean=2940011098468" target="_blank">Nook </a><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rips-in-the-weave/id433507491?mt=11" target="_blank"> </a>and <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/Rips-in-the-Weave/fbZsCOFUkUeGxMedf_jCYQ" target="_blank">Kobo</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-15692391591587154262014-09-19T13:07:00.002-05:002014-09-19T13:07:40.056-05:00Rips in the Weave - Dime Store Novel begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN9rtSSbQkR0eNnLwUWUSDJOu1tSA1O7uouzqf31rbTR3AsopEJaTMXKZevfYWtScYDAcsM5nCtlljVRcx_CaIyBiPZfs09kFZTGXIJJqkk9D4VO6Buc9bEOxXKCJOVQhAt7w37-KXIlq/s1600/agatha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN9rtSSbQkR0eNnLwUWUSDJOu1tSA1O7uouzqf31rbTR3AsopEJaTMXKZevfYWtScYDAcsM5nCtlljVRcx_CaIyBiPZfs09kFZTGXIJJqkk9D4VO6Buc9bEOxXKCJOVQhAt7w37-KXIlq/s1600/agatha.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I am Agatha. Once I was a goddess who lived in a realm and created the creatures that now populate the swamplands.<br />
<br />
Thousands of years ago, a dragon named Khrou-ach tried to take control of the realms. We gods banished him from taking a physical form. Since that time, he has existed as wind and electricity, occasionally summoning enough energy to wreak havoc on the world of the mortals by causing destructive storms.<br />
<br />
I led the challenge against Khrou-ach and during one of his power surges, he was able to destroy the portal between the mortal world and my realm. I am earthbound. Once it bothered me, but it doesn't anymore. I have found my place here among the creatures I created and among those we can only assume were created by The Great One.<br />
<br />
In 1897, Khrou-ach mustered enough strength to not only cause a destructive storm, but to entice Delilah Cats, a young girl with some talent for natural magic, but no common sense, to help him. The story of what happened is told in <b>Rips in the Weave</b>. It begins the story of how the weave between the realms begins to tear.<br />
<br />
The authors have decided to offer <b>Rips in the Weave</b> as a free ebook. You can download it for any ebook format from <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19904" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>. It is also available free on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rips-in-the-weave/id433507491?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes </a>and <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/Rips-in-the-Weave/fbZsCOFUkUeGxMedf_jCYQ" target="_blank">Kobo</a>. It is available on the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rips-in-the-weave-rachelle-reese/1101117624?ean=2940011098468" target="_blank">Nook </a>for a penny.<br />
<br />
I hope you'll take the time to read this tale of how the realms began to tear. It's far from over.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-54957146666493189152014-07-04T07:14:00.000-05:002014-07-04T07:14:03.425-05:00Hanover Fist - Fun at Camp #Nanowrimo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig0v01VvxnnqHThNc09Q7TTcpXEYjG9FbQnVU64zdTxdAd0M0lNwyrlitmOk8fZOs9BrzDcmkKlAl7a7J_9XQq9Asy3toarW8vQWtAWiJ5TYzzzvtMXe7HzxqLQWYNhpi2vii6h31Fm3A/s1600/Hanover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig0v01VvxnnqHThNc09Q7TTcpXEYjG9FbQnVU64zdTxdAd0M0lNwyrlitmOk8fZOs9BrzDcmkKlAl7a7J_9XQq9Asy3toarW8vQWtAWiJ5TYzzzvtMXe7HzxqLQWYNhpi2vii6h31Fm3A/s1600/Hanover.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
I don't know about the girls, but I've been having a blast at Camp Nanowrimo. On the first day, I got to show everyone how to play marbles. I even drug out my old marble collection to recount some stories. It was like being a kid again.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was even more fun. Toledo and I played in the snow! I'm not joking you..there is snow in July at Camp Nano! I haven't heard Toledo laugh like that in decades. Of course, then I hit her smack in the head with a snowball, so she chased me down and threw one with all my strength. She hit me square between the shoulder blades. "That stung!" I said.<br />
<br />
"I meant it to," she said.<br />
<br />
"Why?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"After all these years, you have to ask?" She just grinned and walked away.<br />
<br />
Before you know it, they were all throwing snowballs at me. Even Regan was balling them up and chucking them and every single one of the girls were laughing. "What did I do wrong?" I yelled.<br />
<br />
And they all started yelling out silly things I didn't even remember doing. So I just started walking away, out of the range of their insults and snowballs. They don't gang up on me often, but when they do, I want no part of it. I went to the clubhouse and got myself a hot cocoa and splashed in a little of my medicine. That's good rum these days, no that I don't have to settle for hooch. I sat next to the campfire and waited for them to return from their frolic in the snow. They did soon enough. Not one of them apologized, of course, but they all came in and sat by the fire. Before long, the sun sank below the horizon and Regan started telling a ghost story. All was as it should be. I am loving Camp Nano!<br />
<br />
The writers are working hard while we play. If you want to get a preliminary glimpse at some of the books they are writing this month, sign up for the Dream Dragon Press newsletter.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-82494384954957818732014-06-29T07:30:00.000-05:002014-06-29T07:30:51.295-05:00Regan Rants - #Nanowrimo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm not big on camping. I mean I'm all for a party, but getting wet, cold, and dirty is just not my favorite thing to do. So when the writers invited us to go to Camp Nanowrimo, I wrinkled my nose and said "Seriously? Can't we go somewhere fun instead? Somewhere with posh restaurants and dance clubs?"<br />
<br />
Of course, Hanover was all for the idea. He got out his fishing gear and started going on about how he and Swampy would do such and such, fishing and hunting and gigging. Gross. He and Toledo reminisced about when they were kids and took a camping trip down the Mississippi. Even Mary is excited. It seems she went camping with her family a few times and had memories of roasting hot dogs over the open fire and s'mores. They sound sticky to me. Besides, I have nothing to wear.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I was all ready to just say no. But then they explained to me the main idea behind Camp Nanowrimo is stories. There won't be any struggling to build a camp fire while we shiver in the rain. And I won't have to eat s'mores if I don't want to. Instead, we'll have the writers' attention to tell more of our stories.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We'll stay up late in the moonlight and let our stories unfold. At the end of the month, there will be two new rough drafts. Going to Camp Nanowrimo will help us get our stories to you. So I'm on board. My bags are packed. It turns out I do have PJs and that's all I will need to sit around and tell my story by the moonlight.<br />
<br />
I think the best thing of all is that the writers have agreed to share excerpts of our stories in the August newsletter. You can subscribe here.<br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-44651075139492186752014-05-30T06:39:00.001-05:002014-05-30T06:39:13.411-05:00Dime Store Novel Announcements<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s200/Mary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary O'Malley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm sorry we've been silent the past through weeks. We have been working with the writers on some new stories -- more about those soon. We will also be selecting a winner for the Rainy Days Reading blog tour and sending out prizes soon.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I have two things I want to announce. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, you can read more about us and the Dime Store Novel world at the new <a href="http://dreamdragonpress.com/" target="_blank">Dream Dragon Press website</a>. The website features many of the Dime Store Novel characters. The writers have some other things planned as well, so expect it to be changing frequently. They have asked us to move our blog to the website and we are discussing the move, so we'll let you know what we decided.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf61GGKfrRiPQIDgLVzYQj2VFfA2BhhDDvJIpCcCM5tooPX365GE7oFfRvRv-2wvfYoKJ-lsN_RIKHFEcgPUkixskB2WtAwShj2HMVQaA6UJGvbs_f7AxZ1FKcfRVZ5aWc2wAY7RHfzv1J/s1600/newsletter+blog+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf61GGKfrRiPQIDgLVzYQj2VFfA2BhhDDvJIpCcCM5tooPX365GE7oFfRvRv-2wvfYoKJ-lsN_RIKHFEcgPUkixskB2WtAwShj2HMVQaA6UJGvbs_f7AxZ1FKcfRVZ5aWc2wAY7RHfzv1J/s1600/newsletter+blog+cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Second, Dream Dragon Press is starting a monthly newsletter. If you already signed up for the Dime Store Novel newsletter, you will be added to the list automatically and sent a link to the free story, <i>The Canary's Silence</i> by Rachelle Reese. It's a YA story, so it's a little tamer than some of the Dime Store Novel stories, but it's got adventure, intrigue, and romance, so if you're a Dime Store Novel fan, I think you'll like it. You can sign up for the newsletter here or on the Dream Dragon Press website.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, that's all the announcements for today. Stay tuned though. The next several months are likely to be pretty exciting in the Dime Store Novel world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let us know what you think about the changes.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-78945482936734714502014-04-15T07:17:00.002-05:002014-04-15T07:25:16.923-05:00Toledo Talks - Blood Moon and Thunderstorms<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s320/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo Cats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know I shouldn't complain about rain in April. It is necessary for the plants to grow. However, I am glad we had a few dry days so I could plant my broccoli, cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi on Sunday. Thankfully, they are cold-hardy, so they won't be bothered by our frosty morning.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7m9_EB6i9Vl9snFS0LF-fHfIICW6pnw90WAmodpuTb4mE2vqTa5r-90_ZytP54XlRYPKAsKSAI3nZbABnfbgLiwSRL86blgk_lPV5PIAV0dR0fcSJxTogjUG4k2z_R1vcxu57JzTioTq/s1600/pic3_smash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7m9_EB6i9Vl9snFS0LF-fHfIICW6pnw90WAmodpuTb4mE2vqTa5r-90_ZytP54XlRYPKAsKSAI3nZbABnfbgLiwSRL86blgk_lPV5PIAV0dR0fcSJxTogjUG4k2z_R1vcxu57JzTioTq/s1600/pic3_smash.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khrou-ach and Sassafras battle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In honor of the rainy days of April, we are participating in the <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Rainy Day Reads</span></b> blog hop. All you have to do is subscribe to our monthly newsletter and you will be entered to win a free signed paperback copy of <b>Rips in the Weave</b> and <b>The Desert Rose</b>. These novellas go together because they are both about how my Aunt Delilah drug my Mama into a battle with Khrou-ach, the God of Storms. Everyone who subscribes to the newsletter will also receive a <b>free</b> <b>coupon</b> for a <b>Rips in the Weave</b> ebook, plus a <b>pdf</b> pre-release chapter from our upcoming release <b>Striking Angels</b> as soon as it's ready for other eyes to see.</div>
<div>
I'm also glad the skies cleared off last night so we could get a glimpse of the lunar eclipse and that beautiful blood moon. I think even Regan was impressed by the way Mars shone red to the upper right of it. Unfortunately, Hanover didn't set up his professional photography equipment, so we only have the snapshot Mary took to share with you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgooT4Jqb4kdYARcWgWh8pTjNX8fRM8yYkj0G1Gs7PzrsdiRsA-bv0DD_crs1tmEy40cHDd5RWakmfKg4INQL6231PPI8zAFvhqE82ltmbtMWVewbvrwuf_avDKohuw3svAPaI9o80QVYq/s1600/blood+moon_ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgooT4Jqb4kdYARcWgWh8pTjNX8fRM8yYkj0G1Gs7PzrsdiRsA-bv0DD_crs1tmEy40cHDd5RWakmfKg4INQL6231PPI8zAFvhqE82ltmbtMWVewbvrwuf_avDKohuw3svAPaI9o80QVYq/s1600/blood+moon_ps.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Moon - April 15th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you got to see it for yourself. It was worth it, even though I'm a little groggy this morning.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for stopping by. Make sure to fill out the subscriber form to win your prize and visit all the other blogs on the hop. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-4916715494541646092014-04-06T08:28:00.000-05:002014-04-06T08:37:15.089-05:00Sunday Scramble - Angels in Hell's Kitchen<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary O'Malley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Good morning, everyone. I hope you had a good week. We're in need of some decompression here in the Dime Store Novel world. Most of us have been hard at work getting ready for some exciting announcements. Regan, on the other hand, is convinced that Hanover pranked her on April Fool's Day. He denies it, but she won't leave it alone. So that hasn't helped one bit.<br />
<br />
Here's the solution to last week's scramble. The quote is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TU2FXI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TU2FXI&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">From the Gator's Mouth</a>, the urban fantasy novella that tells the story of Hanover Fists' birth.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TU2FXI/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TU2FXI&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003TU2FXI&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=bonofthewoo-20" /></a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She <u>watched </u> his eyes widen as his <u>boat</u> moved back away from him. “Now <u>children</u>, it is not nice to <u>play</u> with your <u>food</u>,” Agatha <u>giggled</u> softly.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;"></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">bt</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o - boat</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">gle</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">gigd - giggled</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ild</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">c</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">en</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hr - children</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">od</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">fo - food</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">l</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">y</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">p</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - play</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ch</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">w</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ed</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">at - watched</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">This week's scramble is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041HXOYM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0041HXOYM&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">Angels in Hell's Kitchen</a>, the urban fantasy novella that begins my father's story. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041HXOYM/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0041HXOYM&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0041HXOYM&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=bonofthewoo-20" /></a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">O'Malley watched the late night __________ dribbling in, their eyes half closed. As they caught sight of O’Malley in the __________ shirt, their eyes __________. Most __________, but one __________ his eyes with
worry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">b</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ue</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">l </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ke</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">dkworrs</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">oc</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">il</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">smed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">as</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ed</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">cre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">en</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ed</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">wid</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-36743367957347278802014-04-01T19:03:00.000-05:002014-04-01T19:09:04.739-05:00Toledo Talks - Companion Gardening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Nothing says springtime like gardening. I didn't start any seeds this year, so today I visited our local nursery and bought my winter-hardy vegetable plants -- kale, broccoli, chard, cabbage, and kohlrabi. I love fresh greens, so I tend to plant a lot of them. My plan was to go home and plant them before dinner.<br />
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Unfortunately, before I got home, it started to rain. So my planting plans were put on hold. Instead, I sat down and sketched out some rough plans of where I'd plant this year. Choosing the right companion groupings is important, not only for natural pest control, but also because some plants affect the flavor of other plants. For example, planting kohlrabi stunts the growth of tomato plants. Tomatoes stunt the growth of carrots. Basil makes tomatoes taste better -- as if most tomatoes don't taste good enough on their own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog5cmiTO4hDmS3sq-LvlgsBDrp_aebNdc51jCqVT5rriYfT3qgwCFSAbUGsF-tsa4HJunqNwhvRzmPO2VrJiLvOFaARycsHyoLuSsfuJIKG6pViLAK5sE2QJdXc-n4Wv0oZhBU4w0nKyE/s1600/garden+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog5cmiTO4hDmS3sq-LvlgsBDrp_aebNdc51jCqVT5rriYfT3qgwCFSAbUGsF-tsa4HJunqNwhvRzmPO2VrJiLvOFaARycsHyoLuSsfuJIKG6pViLAK5sE2QJdXc-n4Wv0oZhBU4w0nKyE/s1600/garden+plan.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
It's a big puzzle and I should have asked Hanover to help me with it. He loves puzzles. But he was busy calming Regan down about some foolish monkey thing he did to her. I'm sure she'll fill you in on all that later. So here is the plan I came up with. It's not perfect and I'm sure I'll modify it some as I start planting. It also doesn't show the herbs and flowers. I like to intermingle them with the vegetables in a more natural way. There is nothing like the smell of fresh basil to perk you up when you're weeding the tomatoes or checking the squash for squash bug eggs.<br />
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Are you planting a garden this year? I'd love to hear what you do to help it thrive.<br />
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Here's some more information about companion gardening.<br />
<a href="http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html" target="_blank">Golden Harvest Organics</a><br />
<a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/companion-planting-guide-zmaz81mjzraw.aspx#axzz2xfi9Yp31" target="_blank">An In-Depth Companion Planting Guide</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-88816570953422155802014-03-30T16:45:00.000-05:002014-03-30T16:45:05.812-05:00Sunday Scramble - From the Gator's Mouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Happy Sunday (albeit a bit late in the day). Sorry...the sun is out and I had things to take care of this morning. I have a feeling something strange is going to be taking place soon. Hanover's been on edge for over a week -- something to do with Regan and some silly monkey. I guess we'll know soon enough. Until then it's just business as usual.<br />
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Here's the solution to last week's scramble:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A <u>whorl </u>of white and <u>silver </u>fell across her <u>forehead </u>and she let it hang there. “Yes, but no. </span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We could give his <u>soul </u>a <u>fairy </u>body, or even a goblin’s, but that wouldn’t be fair to him. He’s lived a <u>mortal </u>life. I think he’d miss it."</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ir</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">fay - fairy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ul</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o -soul</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">rl</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">m</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ta</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - mortal</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hor</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">wl - whorl</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">er</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ilv</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s -silver</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">d</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">orehe</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">f</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - forehead</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TU2FXI/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TU2FXI&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003TU2FXI&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=bonofthewoo-20" /></a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=bonofthewoo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003TU2FXI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
This week's scramble is a quote from <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TU2FXI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TU2FXI&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">From the Gator's Mouth</a></b>, the book that tells the story of how Hanover Fist was born.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">She ____________ his eyes widen as his __________ moved
back away from him. “Now __________, it is not nice to __________ with your __________,”
Agatha __________ softly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">bt</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">gle</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">gigd </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ild</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">c</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">en</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">od</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">fo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">l</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">y</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">p</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ch</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">w</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ed</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">at </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Solve the scramble by filling out the form and receive a coupon for From the Gator's Mouth. Any ebook format is available.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-16011899548880896982014-03-28T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-28T06:00:13.204-05:00Regan Rants - L'Wren Scott RIP<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s320/regan.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regan Worth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know what I hate? I hate when I wake up in the afternoon and find out someone I really admire has gone to another realm and can't come back. Case in point - L'Wren Scott. <div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwy_-5JsYoxwqh0-XYJikUriHh0uWEC-NMoG4ZgvNU0SqLxiTUUSXf3mxOXqKHXdG3CYiF7Mwz&usqp=CAE" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwy_-5JsYoxwqh0-XYJikUriHh0uWEC-NMoG4ZgvNU0SqLxiTUUSXf3mxOXqKHXdG3CYiF7Mwz&usqp=CAE" width="161" /></a>Now I don't stick with specific designers and I never have. But some of her fashions were brilliant. take this dress, for example. I would look stupendous in this dress. Not that I ever wore it....or had anywhere to wear it to, or the figure to wear it, but it is fab. Look at how the neckline plunges and accentuates the hips. It's a dress a girl can really show off. Sure, so Toledo's curves would fit this dress better than mine -- but it would look okay on me too.</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwYKoUlpSyIG7SIOahmWBaRrl6fFvvEEgPIDsukNWwp7rsdh8IuKA1VMQ8vs5GZzOocdgFyWAT&usqp=CAE" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwYKoUlpSyIG7SIOahmWBaRrl6fFvvEEgPIDsukNWwp7rsdh8IuKA1VMQ8vs5GZzOocdgFyWAT&usqp=CAE" width="160" /></a>This dress, on the other hand, is so Mary O'Malley. I mean, it is seriously spinster-librarian, with the bow in front and the cute little white collar. You couldn't even wear lipstick with that dress *whispers* and Mary doesn't wear lipstick...not a dash. </div>
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So yes, this dress is perfect for my friend Mary. I wouldn't wear it in a million years, but Mary would feel right at home in it. The black would offset her red hair too...although she rarely wears black. She seems to prefer pale colors. Wrong...just totally wrong for her complexion.</div>
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<a href="http://cdnc.lystit.com/photos/3e86-2014/03/06/lwren-scott-black-knee-length-dress-product-1-18199806-1-410047027-normal_large_flex.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdnc.lystit.com/photos/3e86-2014/03/06/lwren-scott-black-knee-length-dress-product-1-18199806-1-410047027-normal_large_flex.jpeg" height="200" width="74" /></a></div>
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Now this dress, on the other hand, is totally me. It fits my slender shape...so curves are not my strongest point. And I have always loved beads and a bit of jagged -- fringe -- whatever. I don't like the straight-laced stuff. Give me a little zip...a little zag.. a little edge. This is a dress I could totally see myself wearing when I'm having a good time and showing just enough leg to be mysterious.</div>
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You were a talented lady, L'Wren Scott. You were young and beautiful and you understood the shape of a woman -- all of us. You had a spark for designing something for every personality. The world will miss your talent. Rest in Peace, brilliant lady. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-67019101053242316882014-03-25T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-25T06:58:23.147-05:00Toledo Talks - Working the Soil<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo Cats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Maybe the snow still covers the ground in some places, but down here in New Orleans, I can smell the soil. It calls me and makes me want to dig my hands into it and feel the worms squirm out from between my fingers. My family has always worked the soil.<br />
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Mama kept a garden, even after we moved to town. Each spring, I helped her plant herbs and flowers. She would tell me their purpose. Mama barely ever planted anything without a purpose. It's how she grew up. Of course, Mama could always find a purpose for just about any plant. Why would the Great Mother have put them here with no purpose?</div>
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<a href="http://www.finegardening.com/CMS/uploadedimages/Images/Gardening/Issues_111-120/041105304_tilling_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.finegardening.com/CMS/uploadedimages/Images/Gardening/Issues_111-120/041105304_tilling_lg.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a>Yes, I smell Mama in the springtime. But I also smell my Uncle Jesse. While Mama planted small gardens with her hands, Jesse planted fields of sugar cane. He would work all morning and come in for dinner around noon, glistening with sweat and grinning ear to ear. "The ground's good this year," he'd say. "We're gonna get ourselves a good crop of cane sugar." His eyes would glisten and by the time I was older, I knew cane sugar meant rum and rum meant sales...especially to Grumwald. But when I was younger, I was content to sneak into the fields and listen to him sing. Jesse's voice was so deep and wonderful. It transported me to other worlds...worlds I had not been to and neither had he....worlds he had learned of from the stories told by his father...my grandfather...who I never met.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-69764685361259550212014-03-23T08:43:00.002-05:002014-03-23T08:46:50.350-05:00Sunday Scramble - The Desert Rose + All Things Irish Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the Sunday Scramble! This week, we're happy to be part of the Leaping Leprechauns and Frolicking Fairies: All Things Irish blog tour. Thank you to <a href="http://www.candacesbookblog.com/" target="_blank">Candace's Book</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=bonofthewoo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004ASOSMO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Blog and <a href="http://ginsbooknotes.com/" target="_blank">Gin's Book Notes</a> for hosting this blog hop.<br />
<br />
Last week's scramble was from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TZQRFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009TZQRFO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">High Rollers</a>, which is on sale for $1.99 until midnight tonight Mountain Time. Here's the solution:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Regan stepped into the <u>casino</u>, the first thing she saw was her own reflection <u>smiling </u>from jagged </span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><u>mirror </u></span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">shards arranged </span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><u>haphazardly </u></span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">to look like </span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><u>stalactites</u></span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ard</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">haz</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ly</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hap</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - haphazardly</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">n</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ili</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">g</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sm</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - smiling</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ro</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">mirr - mirror</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">lac</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">staes</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">tit - stalactites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sin</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">cao - casino</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ASOSMO/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004ASOSMO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004ASOSMO&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=bonofthewoo-20" /></a>This week's scramble is from <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ASOSMO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004ASOSMO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">The Desert Rose</a></b>, the sequel to<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XF23A4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XF23A4&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank"> <b>Rips in the Weave</b></a>. Hint: You can get a still get a free copy of<b> Rips in the Weave</b> by visiting Toledo's post below and filling out the form.<br />
<br />
In keeping with the theme of the blog hop, this quote is about fairies. That's a hint.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A
__________ of white and __________ fell across her __________ and she let it hang there. “Yes,
but no. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We
could give his __________ a __________ body, or even a goblin’s, but that wouldn’t be fair
to him. He’s lived a ____________ life. I think he’d miss it."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ir</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">fay </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ul</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">rl</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">m</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ta</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hor</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">wl </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">er</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ilv</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">d</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">orehe</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">f</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
Good luck!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-4512020791917511192014-03-20T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-20T06:00:09.215-05:00Toledo Talks - A Fairy Garden<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo Cats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week, in honor of springtime, I decided to talk about gardening. I've been gardening since I was a little girl. My first garden was a fairy garden. It was mostly a rock garden beneath Mama's magnolia tree. I'd sing to my dolls and every so often a fairy or two would stop by to listen. Whiskey Joe suggested I grow heather, and so I did. I planted purple heather the first year. When it's blooms reached toward the sky, Whiskey Joe taught me how to step through so I could visit the fairies myself.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/08/HGL103859.jpg.rendition.largest.550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/08/HGL103859.jpg.rendition.largest.550.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather photo (Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I later added other colors to the mix. The fairies liked to visit the heather too. For years, I visited the fairies and they visited me. I didn't realize until I was older that they could be treacherous -- that they could steal the souls of infants.<br />
<br />
I learned a lot about them later, both good and bad. I learned that like people, they were capable of hatred, greed, and love. At the time Whiskey Joe taught me how to pass through the heather, I had no idea he was a fairy himself. It was only after I thought he had died that I found him in the fairy realm, making music just like he had on the New Orleans streets. That story appears in Mind of a Mad Man.<br />
<br />
Later Whiskey Joe told me the real story. How he'd fallen in love and decided it was time to go back to the realm where he belonged. He wrote a song about the day he met the woman he loved. He's agreed to sing it to us.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yZApwzSUGsU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I am celebrating spring this week by participating in the Leaping Leprechaun blog hop and planting some potatoes and onions -- maybe a few other things, depending on the weather. Are you planning to do some gardening? Have you ever planted a fairy garden?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Leave a comment with your email and I'll send you a coupon for a <b>free copy of Rips in the Weave</b> -- the story where all the trouble in the realms began. There are a few fairies in Rips in the Weave, but there are definitely goblins.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And don't forget, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TZQRFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009TZQRFO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">High Rollers</a> is on sale for $1.99 through Saturday March 23rd. Get your copy today if you haven't. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the blog hop.</div>
<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-4303736484659835432014-03-17T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-19T07:41:44.055-05:00Never Disturb a Fairy Ring<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Vt-WQEGMEuwzmVUVYilL4WngIQ4WISrF1oNiK0qtr7NLagUUDN-ZolPSfWTlOL254i9aaINmPdHUF5A26gURmTgTEzt7Es22Pg6R580ehVn5sAptDFALFQlCcTBJfM-OTpyhleZblUz/s1600/O%2527Malleypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2Vt-WQEGMEuwzmVUVYilL4WngIQ4WISrF1oNiK0qtr7NLagUUDN-ZolPSfWTlOL254i9aaINmPdHUF5A26gURmTgTEzt7Es22Pg6R580ehVn5sAptDFALFQlCcTBJfM-OTpyhleZblUz/s1600/O%2527Malleypic.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duncan O'Malley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks to my best friend's daughter, Regan Worth, I'm here this St. Paddy's Day to share a warning with you all about the dangers of fairy rings. I felt it only right to pass on the warning I gave my daughter...the same warning my mother gave me, albeit most likely too late. Now some will tell you that a fairy ring is just a fungus that ruins the lawn. Gardening folk will tell you to dig them up and destroy the ring. I will tell you different.<b> Leave them be.</b><br />
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It was a spring day and I was still a lad, living on my parents' farm in Ireland. I was a light-hearted boy and I loved to explore the bog. That's where I saw my first dead body, but that's a story for another day. The day I learned of fairy rings was a rare sunny one. I followed my mother down to the bog when she went to fetch the butter. I was a wee lad, maybe three or four.<br />
<br />
I skipped along beside her, singing:<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3013&c=68" target="_blank">O-ro the rattlin' bog</a>, </i><br />
<i>The bog down in the valley-o</i><br />
<i>O-ro the rattlin' bog, </i><br />
<i>The bog down in the valley-o</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I was young enough that I couldn't remember the order of all the things you see -- tree, limb, branch, twig, nest, egg, bird, feather, flea -- so Mum sang along with me. We were on the verse about the bird in the egg when she stopped singing.<br />
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"Don't you do that, son."<br />
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"What, Mum?" I asked. I saw she'd grown pale and was staring at the ground.<br />
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"See those mushrooms?"<br />
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"Sure I do. Can we pick some?" I loved mushrooms, even then.<br />
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"Not those mushrooms. Those belong to the fairies. If you disturb them, they'll come after you."<br />
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<a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01482/fairy_1482068c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01482/fairy_1482068c.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
I stared at the nearly perfect circle of mushrooms -- perfect except for where I'd kicked one away. It lay there broken and sad. "Do you think they saw me?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Let's hope not." Her voice was stern. She took me by the hand and led me to the bog. "Let's tiptoe the rest of the way so we don't wake them."<br />
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And so we did. It might have been that night the nightmares started...or sometime soon after. They have never left me, only changed as time went on. I was still a mostly carefree lad and I never saw a fairy in the bog, but I have to wonder sometimes if they didn't see me kick that mushroom. How else can I account for the bad luck I've had and the things I've seen? Not that it was all bad. I wouldn't trade my luck in finding Maggie Bloom for all the pots of gold in the universe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKKaf1VHjSXkigNxBSfevvfuFNsabzuDUZk44120rg8Fl2UsR6EP0ZZLa2WRPBUZrIAMGeVBy06hxqLZYVdYfoT88hEUT5E7ndwmpE7SWall4kQ1P3wttN3R42XTyct7fc0q4DHzaS8nW/s1600/angelswebthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKKaf1VHjSXkigNxBSfevvfuFNsabzuDUZk44120rg8Fl2UsR6EP0ZZLa2WRPBUZrIAMGeVBy06hxqLZYVdYfoT88hEUT5E7ndwmpE7SWall4kQ1P3wttN3R42XTyct7fc0q4DHzaS8nW/s1600/angelswebthumb.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, my daughter Mary has asked me to give away copies of <b>Angels in Hell's Kitchen</b>, the story about the first day I met Mary's mum. All you need to do is fill out the form.<br />
<br />
I also need to tell you that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TZQRFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009TZQRFO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">High Rollers</a> is only 99 cents today through Wednesday. That's a 66% discount from its regular $2.99. By the time High Rollers happened, I had gone on from the physical realm, but I think you'll like the story anyway. Many of the people I loved through life are in it.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb6IrzeEZzC8FW3-gZJYX-Swy2SYn0eeU-5uWNUbs8j-90tm3J3g8jfR5qImTA6-Fvl_0jBvg85xhZniVz44-GH0DW6a8CE8G1f-edrvzdDLQWg87t4pYkkUAG-Dy-ccukMARU4fJw7_5/s1600/cover+art+-+kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb6IrzeEZzC8FW3-gZJYX-Swy2SYn0eeU-5uWNUbs8j-90tm3J3g8jfR5qImTA6-Fvl_0jBvg85xhZniVz44-GH0DW6a8CE8G1f-edrvzdDLQWg87t4pYkkUAG-Dy-ccukMARU4fJw7_5/s1600/cover+art+-+kindle.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a></div>
Well, I guess I'm off. Thank you Regan for helping me tell my story. I hope a lot of people buy your story this week. It's a great price for a fun tale. Of course, I wish I had been there to help solve the crime, but a ghost can't be everywhere.<br />
<br />
Enjoy the rest of the blog hop.I'm sure you will -- It's All Things Irish, so who wouldn't?<br />
<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-28782754911637401202014-03-16T08:16:00.000-05:002014-03-16T08:16:34.238-05:00Sunday Scramble - High Rollers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately, we did not have a winner for last week's scramble. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The answer to last week's scramble is:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few <u>memories </u>leaked out. She let them rest <u>beneath </u>the turtle’s <u>belly</u>. He’d have to grow before he could <u>swallow </u>all her <u>secrets</u>.</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">eth</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">en</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">b</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - beneath</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">mrie</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">em</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> - memories</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ly</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">el</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">b - belly</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ets</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ecr - secrets</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">al</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sw</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">wlo - swallo</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb6IrzeEZzC8FW3-gZJYX-Swy2SYn0eeU-5uWNUbs8j-90tm3J3g8jfR5qImTA6-Fvl_0jBvg85xhZniVz44-GH0DW6a8CE8G1f-edrvzdDLQWg87t4pYkkUAG-Dy-ccukMARU4fJw7_5/s1600/cover+art+-+kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb6IrzeEZzC8FW3-gZJYX-Swy2SYn0eeU-5uWNUbs8j-90tm3J3g8jfR5qImTA6-Fvl_0jBvg85xhZniVz44-GH0DW6a8CE8G1f-edrvzdDLQWg87t4pYkkUAG-Dy-ccukMARU4fJw7_5/s1600/cover+art+-+kindle.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This week's scramble is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TZQRFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009TZQRFO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">High Rollers</a>, which is on sale starting tomorrow on Amazon. It's a countdown sale, so get your Kindle edition early.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Monday March 17th -Wednesday March 19th - <b>99 cents</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thursday March 20th - Saturday March 23rd - <b>$1.99</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">On Sunday March 24, the price goes back to its normal $2.99.</span><br />
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Of course, if you're the first to solve the scramble, you won't need to buy it because we'll send you a free copy.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's the scramble.<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Regan stepped into the ___________ , the first
thing she saw was her own reflection ____________ from jagged ____________ </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">shards arranged _________________ to look like ______________. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ard</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">haz</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ly</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">hap</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">n</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ili</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">g</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sm</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ro</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">mirr </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">lac</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">staes</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">tit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sin</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">cao</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Ehluuy5S-cTMRAWdpYpDMTnuEGrkDyS81rxMXQNtYyFwBriZdY2jKSkLymuIhXBpfdSYGZG264rBTdv12i4NV5D4huHz4aOrg8nwIY7_makKRf_45jKhs_7Yp6_PgrRyknD-lbUpmPY/s1600/IRish-hop3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Ehluuy5S-cTMRAWdpYpDMTnuEGrkDyS81rxMXQNtYyFwBriZdY2jKSkLymuIhXBpfdSYGZG264rBTdv12i4NV5D4huHz4aOrg8nwIY7_makKRf_45jKhs_7Yp6_PgrRyknD-lbUpmPY/s1600/IRish-hop3.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Oh and there is <b>more news</b> this week. We will be participating in the Leaping Leprehchauns & Frolicking Fairies blog hop. With a little help from Regan, I've invited my father, Duncan O'Malley back from the dead to talk about his encounter with the little people. He'll tell his story tomorrow and will give away an ebook coupon for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041HXOYM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0041HXOYM&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">Angels in Hell's Kitchen</a> to whoever comments. Then on Thursday, Toledo Cats will talk about the fairies she's encountered and share a story about Whiskey Joe, She'll be giving away ebook coupons for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439267057/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1439267057&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">Rips in the Weave</a> to anyone who comments on her post. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-57123826841544116572014-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-14T06:00:13.097-05:00Regan Recommends - 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regan Worth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Being half-Irish, I decided to break out a bottle of my favorite Irish whiskey a few days early. I put some <a href="http://www.amywinehouse.com/" target="_blank">Amy Winehouse</a> on and took a bottle of <a href="http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com/wp-content/plugins/age-verification/age_verification.php?redirect_to=http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com%2F" target="_blank">2 Gingers Irish Whiskey</a> down off the shelf. Of course, Hanover happened to stop by around the time I pulled the bottle out of the liquor cabinet, so I invited him to stay for a nip.<br />
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Hanover's not Irish -- well, as far as he knows -- but he does enjoy a nip of Irish spirits and since it's not St. Paddy's Day quite yet, I didn't have to worry about getting pinched.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaXLplHiPganWqfvSfWxIo42Ei58m05bKYZBYaQ_lxHSzD67AijIv0DVusifBnz921E_ily4QkUwEenSNLJgDwDEc_rDkZPlqJWQRCEXKTcluI3ngNQk-oBMwagp3drvGgN7Yz92x1k9W/s1600/hanoverdrink_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaXLplHiPganWqfvSfWxIo42Ei58m05bKYZBYaQ_lxHSzD67AijIv0DVusifBnz921E_ily4QkUwEenSNLJgDwDEc_rDkZPlqJWQRCEXKTcluI3ngNQk-oBMwagp3drvGgN7Yz92x1k9W/s1600/hanoverdrink_sm.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
You can drink 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey straight up like Hanover does. It's a smooth whiskey -- a little honey sweet, but not cloying because the sweetness is offset with blood oranges and a bit of bitter, kind of like you nibbled on the rind before you took a sip. I poured Hanover a drink straight up the way he likes it in his favorite shot glass. He admired the amber color and threw it back.<br />
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"Wait for me!" I said. "It's my whiskey after all."<br />
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"Well, pour yourself a shot and catch up. It's been a helluva day."<br />
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I took a wine glass down from the rack. "I'm drinking mine in this."<br />
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Hanover raised his eyebrows. "You must have had some day too!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLum1LbxnK20QPI9BRX6wq4VgGakqEDIq6tWiC-qzDVhwk3iSsG858Z4TZvXY2_GWe7Py2g32NppjxuPXV5978wxDfPGmvZQY26bSHoIYEm0pStihAL8jWlWvJASAeP0hFzH5X2OCZd9VP/s1600/making+regan's+drink+_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLum1LbxnK20QPI9BRX6wq4VgGakqEDIq6tWiC-qzDVhwk3iSsG858Z4TZvXY2_GWe7Py2g32NppjxuPXV5978wxDfPGmvZQY26bSHoIYEm0pStihAL8jWlWvJASAeP0hFzH5X2OCZd9VP/s1600/making+regan's+drink+_sm.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="112" /></a>"You goof! You know I prefer mine with a little bubbly. It cuts the burn." As whiskey burns go, 2 Gingers is not too hot, but still, on a warm day, it's a bit much for me to drink straight these days.<br />
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I poured about a shot and a half in the glass. I always just eye it, so don't go by my measurements. Go by your taste. You can always add more if you want some more kick. I filled Hanover's glass a second time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEKxldIYYcYyeyH_687fPp_ZzxoC1MWRzYaCY56shoV-yhZrgCyFOVmtdkS7LlyNPprTgAYuTcg_0YQaooEKxSMzTGNqMTFNQn46RRZVLmKPPNtHmohnjPjL9xa0CM12oN85gxevezfY3/s1600/regansdrink_collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEKxldIYYcYyeyH_687fPp_ZzxoC1MWRzYaCY56shoV-yhZrgCyFOVmtdkS7LlyNPprTgAYuTcg_0YQaooEKxSMzTGNqMTFNQn46RRZVLmKPPNtHmohnjPjL9xa0CM12oN85gxevezfY3/s1600/regansdrink_collage.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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I took a can of ginger ale and a tray of ice from the small fridge I keep in the wet bar. I put the ice in first and then filled the glass with ginger ale. It bubbled up just right. I could smell that citrus-ginger goodness. Mmmmm tasty.<br />
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I raised my glass to Hanover's. Our glasses touched. He sipped his this time and I sipped mine. The bubbles tickled my nose. I sipped again. This time I felt the burn.<br />
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I reached for a stir stick to stir it up better. Usually adding the ginger ale last does the trick, but every now and then, a drink can benefit from a good stir.<br />
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I poured Hanover another while I was at it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgJCZdJWbgOIjAO0l8FnZsbaJ9r_L6fKgfkvxou0tPmrCKzP2nW_h-bCvWOfW1i-mR-TMzF67MEv4YzKGZ9BO4EpmGqtx90-Xoyplc9N4fc_4V7UBxPtUq_ohtbWcLc73MBydgcucAS00/s1600/S1870009_with+monkey_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgJCZdJWbgOIjAO0l8FnZsbaJ9r_L6fKgfkvxou0tPmrCKzP2nW_h-bCvWOfW1i-mR-TMzF67MEv4YzKGZ9BO4EpmGqtx90-Xoyplc9N4fc_4V7UBxPtUq_ohtbWcLc73MBydgcucAS00/s1600/S1870009_with+monkey_sm.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
I gave my drink a twizzle and then sipped again. Perfect.<br />
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"What kind of stir stick is that?" Hanover asked. "It looks..."<br />
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"So it's pink," I said. "I happen to like pink."<br />
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"You're such a girl." Hanover rolled his eyes.<br />
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"Whatever."<br />
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"You are, but that's not what I meant. I meant what's on the end of the swizzler. It looks like a...."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmM2AJNZjnjOFsYAbG5i_JdB9t8dQ_miv9-sZ57LfktPZNHSc9sOUt5PGeYdx0TuyCLcUz-LBad8oA9rbDDTaZO4ifVZz90r94qRU91ZObdL_64Ofs0xcEMspP7XR74IhnYwk6yKz87Jt/s1600/monkeyswizzler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmM2AJNZjnjOFsYAbG5i_JdB9t8dQ_miv9-sZ57LfktPZNHSc9sOUt5PGeYdx0TuyCLcUz-LBad8oA9rbDDTaZO4ifVZz90r94qRU91ZObdL_64Ofs0xcEMspP7XR74IhnYwk6yKz87Jt/s1600/monkeyswizzler.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
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I dropped the swizzler and eyed its ornament. "Monkey!" I gasped. "What the hell is a damn monkey doing on my swizzle stick?"<br />
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Hanover eyed it closely. "That's no ordinary monkey."<br />
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"I know it's no ordinary monkey. Look how it's staring at me." I put down the glass. "Get rid of it, Hanover. I don't want to touch it."<br />
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"Well it's too bad you ruined your whiskey with all that ginger ale and ice or I'd drink it. The monkey doesn't bother me."<br />
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"Well, it bothers me. And no you can't have my drink. Just throw the swizzler away. And check the bag. If they're all like that, throw them away."<br />
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Hanover plucked the swizzle stick out of my glass and threw it in the trash. He's such a gentleman when he wants to be. He checked the bag of swizzle sticks behind the bar. "They're all just pink," he said. "I ought to throw them out just for that."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYl2j82b-wFaSiXR97Uq3SfUrCEBV4ns3mvFd4Qxa816aWZUgDPrLyf3Fk7Cj-dL9omZIoyJTrJMdcon8cZASWKa2lRoRmlJb80ID-fzg7bnLDmp4PhM0g4NHM7bOEdspEXDxwoFo44EV/s1600/hanoverdrink+close_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYl2j82b-wFaSiXR97Uq3SfUrCEBV4ns3mvFd4Qxa816aWZUgDPrLyf3Fk7Cj-dL9omZIoyJTrJMdcon8cZASWKa2lRoRmlJb80ID-fzg7bnLDmp4PhM0g4NHM7bOEdspEXDxwoFo44EV/s1600/hanoverdrink+close_sm.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>"Well, how do you think the monkey one got inside a perfectly good bag of pink swizzle sticks?"<br />
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Hanover shrugged and poured himself another shot.<br />
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"That's 80 proof, you know."<br />
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Hanover took a slow sip. "I'm sure you won't mind me staying on the sofa. I can keep you safe from any monkeys.<br />
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I poured another dollop into my drink and settled down beside him. "Why not. You know I'm always up for an adventure."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZ54l2PsA9B63qMX5yJDbL4rNTbFwir5Ja7BFfXuFK9esW8p7oufveGEHjeRTQE3boxDvgOS5eQa46UooeLDGdEqwwQ4vo5EfF93qxarwe-FKNaEn-FcWdyjwYjbXM7N9400p2uuaDx7q/s1600/IRish-hop3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZ54l2PsA9B63qMX5yJDbL4rNTbFwir5Ja7BFfXuFK9esW8p7oufveGEHjeRTQE3boxDvgOS5eQa46UooeLDGdEqwwQ4vo5EfF93qxarwe-FKNaEn-FcWdyjwYjbXM7N9400p2uuaDx7q/s1600/IRish-hop3.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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Be sure to stop by next week. We'll be participating in the Leaping Leprechauns & Frolicking Fairies blog hop. Fairies and leprechauns are fine with me as long as no monkeys show up.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-62998146724481141072014-03-11T04:00:00.000-05:002014-03-11T07:31:38.214-05:00Toledo Talks -- Asparagus, a Taste of Springtime<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo Cats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the asparagus spears start cropping up in the garden, it's a sure sign spring is here. If you're lucky enough to have an established crop, you can enjoy this delicious vegetable almost every day from early spring until the heat sets in. If you're planting a crop this year, you'll need to be patient. Asparagus takes about 2 years from the time you plant it until you can get a good harvest. Sure, you might get a harvest one year after you plant it, but don't get greedy. If you do, you'll likely be starting over.<br />
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If you aren't growing it, you can find it at the grocery store or, better yet, at an organic market. Asparagus doesn't have a very long shelf life, in fact it's best if you eat it the same day you pick it, so you need to be careful to choose stalks that are firm. Store them in the fridge with a moist paper towel around them if you can't use them all at once.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRBQ-flfJ8zkNXIuLojLe5yFeKKYbvN_stq-spLPO2P6TJTD_sGpgWgqeJANUto0N0pmCEOas1nty6yaamqQIs1VTKI68dlq9ovrqYsYEa6LY6lJYVTfokQDFG9rg_3txH8nHlN_FKp3M/s1600/spears_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRBQ-flfJ8zkNXIuLojLe5yFeKKYbvN_stq-spLPO2P6TJTD_sGpgWgqeJANUto0N0pmCEOas1nty6yaamqQIs1VTKI68dlq9ovrqYsYEa6LY6lJYVTfokQDFG9rg_3txH8nHlN_FKp3M/s1600/spears_4.jpg" /></a></div>
Asparagus has so much good stuff in it, you can almost feel its energy when you eat it. The fresher it is, the better.<br />
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Some people don't like asparagus because it smells like urine when you boil it. The trick to avoiding that problem is not <b>not</b> boil it. It's tasty raw, lightly sautéed, or grilled. The key is to not overcook it. Asparagus is best still a bit crisp.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWi7MT7i-Z0eLrmYcuBTn4C0LcIm0cmGIDACezBRLXnT6UVNsTwHUqqVjNQpehZtzFY7Jnsc20fthtFM-POdiWgkTQFlw53jIbM9LEKTq_ri0kaqjIgN6a01J969Y3VS8NMLiO_tAKeJb/s1600/raw_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWi7MT7i-Z0eLrmYcuBTn4C0LcIm0cmGIDACezBRLXnT6UVNsTwHUqqVjNQpehZtzFY7Jnsc20fthtFM-POdiWgkTQFlw53jIbM9LEKTq_ri0kaqjIgN6a01J969Y3VS8NMLiO_tAKeJb/s1600/raw_4.jpg" /></a></div>
I'd like to share a recipe that's quick and easy, yet elegant and tasty. Best of all, you can make it in a single electric frying pan. First lay thin cut raw <b>breakfast steaks</b> along the bottom of the pan. I figure two steaks per person, but depending on the size of the steak and the appetites of the people you are feeding, you might need more or fewer. Spread <b>cream cheese</b> across the breakfast steak. Cut the <b>asparagus spears </b>in sections about the same length as the steak. Lay two asparagus spears on each steak. Add a thin slice of <b>deli turkey</b> on top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt1tKxVDcg_c-mh6bEpeLlsAjmM_RQDKTBUzSaqFPmcX-GHri6JI4SiMvBhZxHYQ8O_rIbFD_W16pkzsGz0OY-ZVKHnsBs0iVc7YfKqMnmDQWZxikrdEAjDkw6CfceG7kwoQP9SO4jL6g/s1600/cooked_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt1tKxVDcg_c-mh6bEpeLlsAjmM_RQDKTBUzSaqFPmcX-GHri6JI4SiMvBhZxHYQ8O_rIbFD_W16pkzsGz0OY-ZVKHnsBs0iVc7YfKqMnmDQWZxikrdEAjDkw6CfceG7kwoQP9SO4jL6g/s1600/cooked_4.jpg" /></a></div>
Cook it at medium-low heat (around 325F) for about 10 minutes, or until the steak is just about done the way you want it. Pour in 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup of your favorite <b>spaghetti sauce</b>. Sprinkle with some <b>crushed pecans, </b>some finely chopped <b>broccoli</b>, and your favorite <b>grated cheese</b>. Cook another 5 minutes and serve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44xUrsoyiBM3gqBSDfVHVAqhKTkq_oE8vFBMNDhyphenhyphen57JOHrohLmqj-ICsjv2mwZO_wyIl_pa0a72LNvg7LMQUmCBNRiDXp4UlHImoY6nJhdqcdfhan1y4B2kz04I9l7dGwE96I9iWiCbR_/s1600/served_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44xUrsoyiBM3gqBSDfVHVAqhKTkq_oE8vFBMNDhyphenhyphen57JOHrohLmqj-ICsjv2mwZO_wyIl_pa0a72LNvg7LMQUmCBNRiDXp4UlHImoY6nJhdqcdfhan1y4B2kz04I9l7dGwE96I9iWiCbR_/s1600/served_4.jpg" /></a></div>
It's especially good served with a nice red wine, such as a Merlot, and a chunk of crusty sourdough bread. At least that's the way I like to eat it.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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I'd like to thank <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaulsFarmFreshProduceMarket" target="_blank">Paul's Farm Fresh Produce</a> for the wonderful fresh asparagus, broccoli, and pecans used in the photo shoot. I'd also like to thank the butcher at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Market/104554159608537" target="_blank">Mike's Market </a> for cutting the breakfast steaks just the way I like them. The meal was delicious.<br />
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If you'd like to learn more about asparagus, here are some links.<br />
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<a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=12" target="_blank">The World's Healthiest Foods</a><br />
<a href="http://www.asparagus-lover.com/harvesting-asparagus.html" target="_blank">Asparagus-Lovers.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/asparagus-growing-guide?page=0,2" target="_blank">Asparagus Growing Guide</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-62262530474017771382014-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-09T06:00:02.134-05:00Sunday Scramble - Rips in the Weave<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9LbG0DeUUhG5PJdSxgDJSGT3tJBicate8rAzDjuGlprGa_FI7k-thPdVNKPnYoknxCcQfmrbpyTCbKObq3qp2blc6JM5AiZeuVTETzzuLMgf7V7H20_GBbk6XGgBy2TAQjo-bJN813t5/s1600/Mary.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary O'Malley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Congratulations to Tony Western and Lisa Cullen for solving last week's scramble.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The answer to last week's scramble is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay, Mark, now in <u>boxing </u>you can hit anywhere above the <u>belt</u> line, but not <u>below</u>. You get marks taken off for a <u>hit </u>below the belt. And never hit the family <u>jewels</u>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Scrambled words</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">xig</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">bo</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">n - boxing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">els</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">j</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">we - jewels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">l</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">t - belt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ow</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">bl</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">e - below</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">it</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">h -hit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">This week the scramble is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XF23A4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XF23A4&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">Rips in the Weav</a>e. Answer the scramble to win a free ebook copy of Rips in the Weave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A few ____________ leaked out. She let them rest ___________ the turtle’s __________. He’d have to grow before he could __________ all her _____________.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">eth</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">en</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">b</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">o</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">mrie</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">em</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ly</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">el</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">b</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ets</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">ecr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">al</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">sw</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">wlo</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Good luck! </b> I really hope someone wins this week. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XF23A4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XF23A4&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">Rips in the Weave</a> is a story about how the weave began to tear. It was a story that happened before I was even a twinkle in anyone's eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-26367385796443862092014-03-07T09:56:00.000-06:002014-03-07T09:56:58.905-06:00Regan Recommends - Better Mardi Gras Gifts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZJD_Wc1rDTIDjxvcbdpr-gu4aaSGYwTCU12EBhxbpDRD_R_O21UwMPAPXog0JJGtGbbcQ9kIPjw2mnYz2sU78Tl9PPS0qltivJ7e8e7cZkU2F0hfs92fppDFhqNTu2IgXcyF03Dm1lbF/s1600/regan.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regan Worth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, our adventure was a Fat Tuesday party on the A. Neon Mud Imp. I thought they'd dismantled her long ago, but it turns out she'd just been sitting in a dock.<br />
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It was strange to be back on board the casino boat where Caprice wreaked havoc so many years ago and it was nothing like that night. You've read that story, right? If you haven't you should. It's told in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TZQRFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009TZQRFO&linkCode=as2&tag=bonofthewoo-20" target="_blank">High Rollers</a> -- the only Dime Store Novel so far that I'm in.<br />
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Not a single ghost in sight, which was odd considering the boat is something of a ghost ship, rising from the dead and all, at least that's how I look at it. Maybe I just missed them. I was pretty busy drinking and dancing. Of course, Hanover spent all night at the dice table. But who cares? These days you don't need a man to dance with and I'm all for that. Hanover can be a stick-in-the-mud about dancing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516LPmr0TCL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516LPmr0TCL.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanover's mask</td></tr>
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Like all Mardi Gras parties, everyone was decked out in green, red, and gold. I wore a beaded gold dress that came just above my knees. The gold was accented by red roses down one side. My mask matched my dress, of course, except the roses were real instead of jeweled. It also had peacock feathers.<br />
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Hanover work a silver mask like this one.<br />
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We drank champagne with strawberries and snacked on all kinds of food. My favorite was the jalapenos stuffed with red caviar dip.<br />
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Around midnight, they brought out the cakes. I chose a chocolate one decorated with a pretty mask. I bit it and this gooey yummy cherry filling oozed out. I got it all over my lips and down my chin. I laughed so hard I nearly swallowed the baby. Yes, for the first time ever, I was the lucky one who found the baby. I spit it out of all that red goo.<br />
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Hanover was all grossed out. He said, "All that red goo on it looks like blood. Someone didn't think that through."<br />
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I thought it was pretty funny. "Maybe they did it on purpose. You know, to add some realism."<br />
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Hanover scowled. "You'd better go wash up so you can claim your prize."<br />
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So I went to the ladies' room to wash my face. That monkey picture next to the door scared the bejezus out of me, no pun intended. It's like it was watching me. Of course, I know it wasn't. Well, I know that now. At the time, I told Hanover about it and he said, "I think you've had enough champagne."<br />
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I said, "Whatever."<br />
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He said, "Aren't you going to claim your gift?"<br />
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I said, "Of course I am." So I took the little plastic baby up to the cashier's cage and they handed me a velvet box. I figured jewelry, right? So I took it back to Hanover and I opened it. It's just some gold stick pin with the casino's logo -- an imp that looks just like that dumb monkey. It isn't even real gold. It's plastic. Seriously? They could at least give out the genuine article. Next year we're spending Fat Tuesday somewhere else.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949908287763243027.post-68485286860093495002014-03-04T09:45:00.002-06:002014-03-04T09:51:17.551-06:00Toledo Talks -- Spaghetti Squash as Comfort Food<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmbqUdESWQtjNrJ6xPePYgY0F6QoG7BRLWzkOzqRorPqL9csKzu7eWqiKgJIAEo2ZK-SN2qdjg2_3NQHrPfSD_FMMpkJhbooMoiB_Sgs18GfQSdzz_awAr7fB2n6Vh6nveyZ4X3mBOH_/s1600/Toledo.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo Cats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Winter months call for comfort food. So do the stressful events we often face in life, especially when certain deities decide to get involved. I've found that a good meal helps calm the nerves and puts things in perspective. A nice plate of spaghetti squash with some sausage on the side fits the bill nicely -- *whispers* and for those of us who care about carbs, it's a low-carb option. Now you spiders who might be listening, don't you go creeping into the desert realm telling Mama I'm watching my carbs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHfdRmAy1WsHlo2QBnlwpg1zwfyyLWx1_IdBrEt66nudYPhkjZrmhaZJxwYGZV-MAyTresusOl7csR8y8_dbPaiBLAnfRdV5OSJn3B82zBfvXVfPSP7mzJCnVRCZtpNursxaI4WyXv89/s1600/squash+cut_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHfdRmAy1WsHlo2QBnlwpg1zwfyyLWx1_IdBrEt66nudYPhkjZrmhaZJxwYGZV-MAyTresusOl7csR8y8_dbPaiBLAnfRdV5OSJn3B82zBfvXVfPSP7mzJCnVRCZtpNursxaI4WyXv89/s1600/squash+cut_sm.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>I've been pretty busy these days and there are rumors that someone is stirring up trouble in the realms again, so I tend to prefer dishes I can make in a single pan without a lot of fuss. I'll tell you how it's done.<br />
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First, you cut the squash in half from stem to bloom end.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioFixusMHjeaxLjYI_zF4039AI33P_aFl-1J7cYPseh1WXWn64plPgo23_1Q7EDp5FpDrTaHPWUIsmE-FotDOqjvUQ6rOauojCyR1cPimaThZsIa78-t2nGRS4BkoD4gYQQevbU4wU69N/s1600/squash+stuffed_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioFixusMHjeaxLjYI_zF4039AI33P_aFl-1J7cYPseh1WXWn64plPgo23_1Q7EDp5FpDrTaHPWUIsmE-FotDOqjvUQ6rOauojCyR1cPimaThZsIa78-t2nGRS4BkoD4gYQQevbU4wU69N/s1600/squash+stuffed_sm.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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Next, scoop out the seeds and stuff it with your favorite sausage. I like to use spicy Italian sausage.<br />
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Cut up some mushrooms and put them alongside the squash in an electric frying pan.<br />
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Flip the squash upside-down so that the sausage touches the frying fan surface. The oil from the sausage will provide the necessary grease to keep it all from sticking. The sausage flavor will also rise up into the squash as it cooks. If you're using a vegetarian stuffing instead of sausage, grease the pan with olive oil first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oo36C_pbpNYjM9o9izbxTkow2-ItTHH1b5Dv2gqgMP9f2_NvgWsG5wImbekqOE7tQuf_Ssp_C7kTrac2ky2vGtwIPz_G3N_Khzdd2KaTbjCpstRttxwqytBbEwURF8HnQahyphenhyphenqlOOsH3x/s1600/squash+cooked_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oo36C_pbpNYjM9o9izbxTkow2-ItTHH1b5Dv2gqgMP9f2_NvgWsG5wImbekqOE7tQuf_Ssp_C7kTrac2ky2vGtwIPz_G3N_Khzdd2KaTbjCpstRttxwqytBbEwURF8HnQahyphenhyphenqlOOsH3x/s1600/squash+cooked_sm.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Now you're ready to cook it. If you like your sausage scorched, the way Hanover likes his, cook it at 400F. Otherwise, cook it at 350F. Cover the pan to keep the moisture and flavor inside. You'll know it's done when you can easily push the squash in with your fingertip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSmGvNlhsUtHPPAuyRQBONsjMTRapS0sne8wNgwU96e8EQ_dllAd2FgUiQ-3BLe9SLDfQS9CCjUBc7lOJMD12wKphGK2ID-OFW1io0ouBx8U8JWktfJpEyUSz96-D8GAaTpDYfDBagIBB/s1600/cooked_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSmGvNlhsUtHPPAuyRQBONsjMTRapS0sne8wNgwU96e8EQ_dllAd2FgUiQ-3BLe9SLDfQS9CCjUBc7lOJMD12wKphGK2ID-OFW1io0ouBx8U8JWktfJpEyUSz96-D8GAaTpDYfDBagIBB/s1600/cooked_sm.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flip the squash right-side up and add your favorite spaghetti sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce is warm and bubbly.<br />
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Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6WgOZnzpp9KF4mUvzCjx7Ok9X4R2Qr7BxMkHgkUf6gexxOMrbBkJRwoHhMo3E2q7Iuo0tgbfANmQkg-ZyAdmq921pBAGp_7xLwg6eIgGChwxagfuMHc74oPsnXcEeL78VOywJqOYoGfa/s1600/spaghetti_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6WgOZnzpp9KF4mUvzCjx7Ok9X4R2Qr7BxMkHgkUf6gexxOMrbBkJRwoHhMo3E2q7Iuo0tgbfANmQkg-ZyAdmq921pBAGp_7xLwg6eIgGChwxagfuMHc74oPsnXcEeL78VOywJqOYoGfa/s1600/spaghetti_sm.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now you're ready to serve it up. Remove the sausage from the center. Scrape the squash gently with a form until it looks like cooked spaghetti.<br />
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Spoon some of the warm sauce onto the pasta and eat. I like it served with a nice Cabernet and some bread. See Mama, I'm not watching my carbs. I just prefer the rich sweetness of the squash over plain old bleached flour pasta.<br />
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Once more, I'd like to give a special thanks to<u> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaulsFarmFreshProduceMarket" target="_blank">Paul's Farm Fresh Produce Market</a> </u> for providing the fresh organic spaghetti squash and mushrooms.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">****</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01511073724404580896noreply@blogger.com2