tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79369570115112792402024-03-05T21:17:20.178-05:00Mavens of the Pen<i><center>La grandeur d'une femme se mesure à la parole tenue
<p>
<p>
(The measure of a woman is but the strength of her words)</p></p></center></i>J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.comBlogger552125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-18464504153016125702010-04-28T10:00:00.000-04:002010-04-28T10:00:32.257-04:00We have an anniversary!Yep. On April 29 in 2005 the Soon To Be Pubbed loop was formed online.<br />
<br />
Five years. Wow. Think back to 2005 ... where were you then? And where are you now? Happy with the journey? Pleased with your progress? Goals for the future?<br />
<br />
Let's kick some of that around for a while. I know many of us are at conferences this month (RT for Lynne and Judi, Malice Domestic for me, Maggie -- you're off, too, aren't you?) So give us an update when you can...<br />
<br />
Five years.<br />
<br />
Whoa.J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-1116177200330706802010-02-08T09:25:00.004-05:002010-02-08T09:50:42.298-05:00Notta RejectionPublishing is both subjective and a business. Some folks get into it with dollar signs in their eyes, sure that the next NYT bestseller is on their fingertips.<br /><br />Then there are others, like the 9000+ members of Romance Writers of America and untold numbers of Mystery Writers of America, who labor in obscurity, day and night, hoping to break into publishing. Along the way, every writer is sure to get a dreaded "no" from publishing professionals.<br /><br />What gives writers the courage to go on when they get slammed like this? I'll share a tale of three writers.<br /><br />G wanted to write category length romances that were tender, full of angst and longing. She was a good writer and had been writing off and on for over a decade. She'd placed in a few contests but the answer from her desired house was still a big fat no. What did she do? She kept refining her stories. She did not give up. When she ran out of options with her contest finalling stories, she wrote more. One of these caught the right editor's eye and she landed a contract. She wrote another book. They hated it. She wrote several proposals. They hated it. Finally, at a RWA National meeting, she sat down with her agent and editor and hashed out what they wanted for her. It was different than what she'd originally thought of writing. Did she stop in the face of this rejection? Nope. She wrote their ideas, but she did it her way. She's now writing 2 books a year for Silhouette. She's happy, and they're happy.<br /><br />D loved writing historicals. But her time period was out of favor. She got no after no. Did she give up? Nope. She continued researching the time period that interested her. She met with agents and editors at conferences. She pitched and pitched her work. She recycled a few stories, changing the character's names and the book titles. Each time, she rewrote the books she added a bit more of this or that, whatever the publishing professional said had been missing from her earlier attempt. Time passed. A new editor came along at her target house. D subbed to this editor and the woman loved D's writing. Contract. Sales. Another contract. More sales. Now she's getting ready to turn in book 3. And she's got more books in her back pocket.<br /><br />These ladies were lucky that their books fit existing genres. I wasn't so lucky. My romances end up with too much mystery, my mysteries have a bit too much romance for mystery purists. I ran into dead ends with my work too, for over ten years. That was ten long years, by the way, ten years of squeaking out stories during cheerleading practice and basketball games. Ten years of watching others having their number rise to the top of the bingo machine. That was hard. I could have given up. That would have been easy. But I wanted the dream of being a writer. I wasn't afraid of hard work. Eventually I landed three publishing houses and many book editors. I've learned from all of them.<br /><br />Rejection is something writers face routinely. Something that builds character or breaks it down. It doesn't get any easier once you get published. Rejections still come along in the guise of bad reviews or crazy fans or the lady down the street who doesn't want to talk to you because you write smut.<br /><br />A rejection is "notta" rejection when it makes you dig down and bring something more to the table.<br /><br />Maggie Toussaint<br />ON THE NICKEL and MUDDY WATERS - under contract!<br /><a href="http://www.maggietoussaint.com/">www.maggietoussaint.com</a>Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-21128845100024381852010-02-01T18:52:00.002-05:002010-02-01T18:57:02.985-05:00A new month, a new topic?Wow. A month has fled past us. What's happened?<br /><br />Let's see. I had another release (whoo! Book 14!) My aunt passed away. She was 100 years old & lucid right up to the end. I blogged about her and her effect on my murder mysteries will be explained in my upcoming newsletter. It snowed. And snowed. And snowed. I somewhat finalized my conference schedule except for RomCon. I'm waiting for them to validate that I'm really an author. A co-worker is retiring and she's younger than me -- now THAT gave me pause!<br /><br />But enough about my happenings. Here's our topic for the month:<br /><br />I'm teaching a writing course this month (or two). I've compiled advice I've gleaned from others about the writing process.<br /><br />Any words of wisdom to impart on how to stay motivated when you get rejections?J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-91200011716178905712010-01-19T06:10:00.000-05:002010-01-19T06:11:00.966-05:00A new year and a new look at what I doYou know how I said I weeded out all the dreck from my mailbox -- unsubscribed from online catalogs, etc., leaving only what I *should* read?<br /><br />I'm finding I'm not sure I want to read that stuff after all! I'm still subscribed to a bunch of groups and I'm wondering if I need another weed-down in February. I get 'digests' of messages from those groups (a compilation of recent messages) and it seems like they're all full of the same-old, same-old: "Blog posting", "Promo", and "Book Trailer" come to mind.<br /><br />Unless the blog post is something interesting about the industry, I probably won't read it. Unless the Promo has a subject line that really catches my eye, I don't look at it. And I don't even glance at book trailers.<br /><br />This leads me to re-consider my own subject lines, the groups where I post, and why I post there.<br /><br />This 'start of the year' reflection stuff is fascinating!J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-74609877282199101742010-01-07T10:03:00.003-05:002010-01-07T10:15:53.674-05:00Resolutions a la Maggie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_J7LHvXvXwZzWdzDrz2Cs-5vxGkIZ-Kh7FYENzrAL3cnCj_90pVMUMkzGPzFzeYXKfqoJd9NmoDmzUge43rjhwpG77MWh_5b14Xt8TwJn2Z6B4z7J6fXeKJzv-Dm4kQdGAhDPpVjUXk/s1600-h/daffodils8.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424016753586056690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_J7LHvXvXwZzWdzDrz2Cs-5vxGkIZ-Kh7FYENzrAL3cnCj_90pVMUMkzGPzFzeYXKfqoJd9NmoDmzUge43rjhwpG77MWh_5b14Xt8TwJn2Z6B4z7J6fXeKJzv-Dm4kQdGAhDPpVjUXk/s320/daffodils8.JPG" /></a><br /><div>by Maggie Toussaint</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am so happy to see the end of 2009 that I grin every time I think this is a brand new year. 2010 is still a blank slate, full of possibilities and excitement.</div><div></div><br /><div>Usually I'm not a big resoluter, but this year, I'm taking the plunge.</div><div></div><br /><div>First I'm going to learn to walk in my new grandma shoes. Baby steps, of course.</div><br /><div></div><div>Next, I resolve to pay more attention to food intake and exercise. Each year my focus sharpens on this. And each year there's more to learn.</div><br /><div></div><div>I resolve to be open to new writing opportunities.</div><br /><div></div><div>I resolve to write 1.5 books. No, not 15, a book and a half. With my schedule, that is a reasonable goal. The first book is a thriller, a new direction for me. Not sure yet about the half a book. Could be mystery or romance.</div><div></div><br /><div>And the best resolution of all - to LIVE, really live and enjoy 2010.</div><br /><div></div><div>Wishing sunny days and blue skies for all,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Maggie Toussaint</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.maggietoussaint.com/">http://www.maggietoussaint.com/</a></div>Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-32731779280957629702010-01-07T08:26:00.000-05:002010-01-07T08:26:31.910-05:00Resolutions?I don't do resolutions any more, because I'm overambitious, then I get depressed when it doesn't work out!<br />
However, I would really like to lose some weight. I've had no luck so far, but maybe I should just keep trying!<br />
Many moons ago, when I used to smoke, I longed to give up, and while I could get right down, I could never cut out the last 5 or so a day, not until I got pregnant. That gave me the incentive I needed and I've never smoked since. My daughter's at university now! But that wasn't a new year's resolution, that was just one of those things I knew I needed to do.<br />
There are lots of things I'd like to happen that are beyond my control, like sell a blockbuster to a major publisher, but in these days of flux, when epublishing is the word, maybe I just need to stay where I am!<br />
I have finalised my bookings for Romantic Times in April, something I wanted to get done by January. I'm making a trip beforehand to Chicago, to attend the big miniaturist event there, probably even bigger than RT, since there are three hotels involved!<br />
Have a good one and see you at Romantic Times!lynneconnollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10687025766573756077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-48572794731041295832010-01-06T05:57:00.002-05:002010-01-06T06:00:22.220-05:00Topic of the month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlIHvNAhe7n0mAMb7G2hYoQYGNzIp4_IXxpuO8y73P6S5g6fcUZAcKoaqUxlG6IedJ1hd8rXqNtU_21JbrzlidS3f3h_iVqx9pCJw3i2IGLO-XNUOHFZEMBZxVl2hFgJkGa2Fzki2I7xs/s1600-h/2cal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlIHvNAhe7n0mAMb7G2hYoQYGNzIp4_IXxpuO8y73P6S5g6fcUZAcKoaqUxlG6IedJ1hd8rXqNtU_21JbrzlidS3f3h_iVqx9pCJw3i2IGLO-XNUOHFZEMBZxVl2hFgJkGa2Fzki2I7xs/s200/2cal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423579955167817666" border="0" /></a><br />I thought it might be good to keep this blog going by throwing out a topic for the month. Post whenever you feel like it (or not), and we'll see what happens.<br /><br />This month's topic: hey, it's a new year -- any resolutions? Any thoughts on what you might change? Any goals you think are really obtainable?<br /><br />Post whenever you feel like it!J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-85711505168474608292009-11-15T14:23:00.001-05:002009-11-15T14:24:16.902-05:00Hiatus on topics?It seems like it's mainly Maggie & me posting any more, and since she and I are busy with elder care, perhaps we'll take a bit of a break from the blog until the first of the year. Then I'll return with regular topics. Sound okay?J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-5007844856545299132009-11-08T15:26:00.002-05:002009-11-08T15:31:32.373-05:00what an improvement!I'm in Iowa, logging in using a WiFi gadget that I share with my sister (we just leave it at Mom's house for when we visit). What a difference from reading mail & blogging via my Blackberry!<br /><br />Also an improvement is Mom's health. She's still tottery but is making a bit of a recovery from the pneumonia which had her sidelines earlier this month. I've been doing a lot of cooking and just generally keeping her company. It's hard to be stuck at home with so little you can do, physically.<br /><br />Care to share any good recipes for someone with little appetite and trouble with her teeth? I'd love to find a dessert recipe for something custardy and rich. Any ideas how to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal that's a little more elderly-friendly?J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-63737896368650972442009-11-05T07:49:00.000-05:002009-11-05T07:49:24.972-05:00Bonfire NightRemember, remember the fifth of November,<br />
Gunpowder treason and plot,<br />
I know of no reason<br />
Why the gunpowder treason<br />
Should ever be forgot.<br />
<br />
While we have trick-or-treaters on Halloween, it's not a traditional British celebration. But when kids have the chance of sweets, they're out there!<br />
We have Bonfire Night, the fifth of November. It's to celebrate the man with the best idea as to what to do about Parliament-he wanted to blow it up.<br />
Guy Fawkes set the 36 barrels of gunpowder in a rented cellar right under the Houses of Parliament - not the one there today, but the old one, that was there before the 1840's. <br />
Sadly, it wasn't Fawkes that blew it up, it was a fire in the 1830's. But he had a good try. He was part of a Catholic conspiracy that disliked the new king, the Scottish James. Fawkes was captured in the act of setting the fuse, taken away, tortured and hanged, drawn and quartered. Most of the conspirators were captured, too.<br />
So on November the fifth, we burn the guy on a bonfire, and set off fireworks. There are big firework displays, and traditional food like toffee apples and cinder toffee are consumed to celebrate the man who nearly destroyed Parliament.lynneconnollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10687025766573756077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-59773542867548312822009-11-03T19:18:00.002-05:002009-11-03T19:23:33.554-05:00A trick I'll always rememberMother Nature played a trick on me in 1991. We had just moved to Minnesota -- it was the year of Moving Hell, moving 4 times in a year with 3 cats. A long story best told over drinks in a bar.<br /><br />Anyway, we finally got out of the 2nd apartment in 2 months into our 'permanent home' (little did we know we'd only live there for 6 months but that's another tale). We moved in, started to unpack, bought the Halloween candy and ...<br /><br />It snowed. And it snowed. And it snowed. And it snowed.<br /><br />It snowed from Thursday to Saturday. 32" of snow. We didn't have a snow blower. We had me to shovel the driveway (a very long driveway) because hubby was laid up with bronchitis. I went out every hour and shoveled, came in and dried off/warmed up, then went out again.<br /><br />On Saturday we walked through snow to the grocery store with our backpacks to get food. Six blocks, bitterly cold but beautiful. The plows had come through and plowed enough of a path for emergency vehicles, but otherwise, it was wall to wall snow. Pumpkins covered over by snow, pumpkin leaf bags with snow toppings, Halloween decorations all covered with snow...<br /><br />It melted in April.<br /><br />It's a trick I'll never forget....J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-31606336846661446132009-11-01T14:44:00.002-05:002009-11-01T14:46:54.840-05:00Tricks ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigTbC1CFaq_wg03frUwtxsI3hplh6fg5g1oGjmVOnOijHUoDmOUcfuSMhjrfsma9I-GvhKXpHqwJYrFcyY8ptFS3Z1zOn6mIXcxNa4Ip_85U5lpEElrrW9M47NwWG-2_sX9ZXF2YH_kou/s1600-h/halloween.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigTbC1CFaq_wg03frUwtxsI3hplh6fg5g1oGjmVOnOijHUoDmOUcfuSMhjrfsma9I-GvhKXpHqwJYrFcyY8ptFS3Z1zOn6mIXcxNa4Ip_85U5lpEElrrW9M47NwWG-2_sX9ZXF2YH_kou/s200/halloween.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399223949663203202" border="0" /></a><br />... and treats.<br /><br />Do you have a special memory of Halloween (Lynne: is there a comparable holiday in the U.K.?) Did you have a special costume? Receive a special treat? Were you scared out of your gourd?<br /><br />Share a memory (either from childhood or more recently) about a special trick ... or treat.J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-67059258758105777902009-10-29T12:39:00.000-05:002009-10-29T12:39:20.548-05:00CakeAnd ice cream. My little treats. That's probably why I need to lose a few pounds!<br />
When I say I like vanilla ice cream, people groan. But it's the real stuff, made with cream and real vanilla pods. Oh mama! With a stick of Belgian chocolate grated on top, or field-fresh English strawberries, or even both. Or with a drop of Chateauneuf du Pape on top.<br />
Stop me now.<br />
I do have a few things to celebrate. We're having the house refurbished, and you can walk across floors without falling over things. That's an improvement. And I have two more book releases this year, a new venture and a new STORM book. <br />
But the flu looms, so maybe I'll need that ice-cream to cool my raging sore throat.lynneconnollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10687025766573756077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-60771606002652006862009-10-28T18:43:00.002-05:002009-10-28T18:49:00.685-05:00asteroidsI used to be a smoker. Yep, two packs a day for twenty years. I still miss it. I don't ACTIVELY miss it, but I miss that little sense of 'reward' when I finish a task and I used to sit down with a cigarette and a cup of coffee and just .... relax.<br /><br />I gained 25 pounds when I quit smoking, partly because I quit smoking and partly because we moved to a new home and I no longer walked on a daily basis. That was 21 years ago, and this year I finally lost that 25 pounds and 15 more pounds that somehow crept onto my butt over the years.<br /><br />How did I do it? I returned to walking. I do 10,000 steps a day, a little bit at a time. And I eat Asteroids.<br /><br />Asteroids? Yep. They're in the grocery store. They're a 100-calorie snack pack, and they're Cheetos-cheese puffs. They're in small packages called "Asteroids" and each pack is worth 100 calories.<br /><br />I LOVE those things. There is nothing like my little 9 a.m. snack (keep in mind: I get to the office at 5 a.m. and eat my breakfast quiche at 5:30, so by 9, I need a good snack reward). At <span style="font-style: italic;">my </span>mid-morning, I have my little package of Asteroids, my V8, and maybe a pickle or two. Yum. That's enough to keep me going until lunch.<br /><br />Yes, folks, it is the small things that reward us in life. Nothing says 'job well done' (or job endured) quite like my Asteroids.J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-10614587264802927992009-10-25T14:06:00.002-05:002009-10-25T14:08:51.192-05:00Little treatsIt's almost trick or treat time here in the States. We don't get any gremlins on our street -- it looks too haunted (truly), so dark and deserted. So I don't buy treats.<br /><br />However, that doesn't mean I don't think about it! Is there something you do to treat yourself? Something you reward yourself with when you accomplish something? Some little something that says, "Job well done!"J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-66352721958383447642009-10-24T02:25:00.004-04:002009-10-24T02:38:56.246-04:00The Olde Hospital Stay<div><br /><br /><div>Hospitals are supposed to be places of quiet...where damaged bodies can heal in quiet serenity. As you close your eyes and slowly drift into dreamland, ah...the sound of the knock on the door.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3DejwtA3P07lm1Zeelod-HLDTUeBY2BRhyphenhyphenLtO2j5V4pjjgmKhuAZBuXsHs3rbdDdo5hYAxpsabQn_k7yE8eQJDH8-WfR-6FfQPNuKFrbMTgCG5O2WjR6PRX-WylEj0_t9qEf13mbszk/s1600-h/cleaning+lady.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 77px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396049765288173858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3DejwtA3P07lm1Zeelod-HLDTUeBY2BRhyphenhyphenLtO2j5V4pjjgmKhuAZBuXsHs3rbdDdo5hYAxpsabQn_k7yE8eQJDH8-WfR-6FfQPNuKFrbMTgCG5O2WjR6PRX-WylEj0_t9qEf13mbszk/s400/cleaning+lady.jpg" /></a>Maid service...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yes, you do want a clean environment to rest away your ills. But holy cow, you were almost asleep!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She changes the linens, cleans the bathroom, mops the floor and with her ever-cheerful good mood, finally leaves the room.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>You close your eyes again. Ah, sleep is coming again. You're almost there, sleep is beckoning you with a long finger. And then, there it is again...the sound of the knock on the door.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_wDWrnRPX-k0q6fGYUPcWv7Aekq2kgOobGlW3ALajkmRYdXbXFp6srWM3cKjfIzqac3G1JWj4lxBIQKRmjXa-gd2ZT8LWgDmBNKoCKcVQ2QK8cIDkamSIjmvu5xBOH_esorP8q5mdJY/s1600-h/nurse.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396051013619286754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_wDWrnRPX-k0q6fGYUPcWv7Aekq2kgOobGlW3ALajkmRYdXbXFp6srWM3cKjfIzqac3G1JWj4lxBIQKRmjXa-gd2ZT8LWgDmBNKoCKcVQ2QK8cIDkamSIjmvu5xBOH_esorP8q5mdJY/s400/nurse.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It's a nurse this time. She wants to take your freaking blood pressure that is starting to rise. You're wide awake at this point.</div><div>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_wDWrnRPX-k0q6fGYUPcWv7Aekq2kgOobGlW3ALajkmRYdXbXFp6srWM3cKjfIzqac3G1JWj4lxBIQKRmjXa-gd2ZT8LWgDmBNKoCKcVQ2QK8cIDkamSIjmvu5xBOH_esorP8q5mdJY/s1600-h/nurse.jpg"></a></div><div>You can't complain, you have a thermometer in your mouth. </div><div>.</div><div>Is it any wonder you can't wait to get home in order to get some rest!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_wDWrnRPX-k0q6fGYUPcWv7Aekq2kgOobGlW3ALajkmRYdXbXFp6srWM3cKjfIzqac3G1JWj4lxBIQKRmjXa-gd2ZT8LWgDmBNKoCKcVQ2QK8cIDkamSIjmvu5xBOH_esorP8q5mdJY/s1600-h/nurse.jpg"></a></div><div> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-18105576959145259032009-10-21T19:38:00.003-04:002009-10-21T19:41:09.908-04:00Ah, calm, serenity...Noise.<br /><br />Hospitals are noisy places. Machines beep. Patients call out. TVs are on. The noisiest is the ICU. Machines are hooked to every conceivable orifice and they all beep, hiss, wheeze, or chortle.<br /><br />Add to that construction. Yes, construction. The local hospital is being renovated. Add nail guns, generators, voices calling ("Bob -- you got that PVC pipe?" "NO, Carl, has it." "Hey, Carl --"), pounding, sawing....<br /><br />I was SO glad to get Mom home. The only noise is the oxygen machine and the kids in the playground next door.<br /><br />Ah. Peace. Quiet. Serenity....J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-18726740049402684252009-10-19T14:29:00.003-04:002009-10-19T14:36:15.745-04:00Over-care-itisHospitals. You love 'em or hate 'em, depending on if you are sick or not. As a general rule, I avoid going to hospitals. If a friend is sick, I'll call or send a card, saving the visit until they go home.<br /><br />Even with my avoidance issues, I've had the misfortune to spend a good bit of time in hospitals. The thing that gets me riled up is how often they check you. Seems like they are always coming in to check your blood pressure or temperature. I find it hard to get much rest in a hospital. Just when I get almost dozed off, the staff comes in and wants to check this that or the other.<br /><br />I realize that's their job, and I'm glad we have such dedicated caretakers, but sometimes it just seems over the top. How the heck are folks supposed to get well if they can't get any rest?<br /><br />Maggie<br />who hopes to avoid hospitals in the near future<br /><a href="http://www.maggietoussaint.com/">www.maggietoussaint.com</a>Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-42438875440322061172009-10-18T13:49:00.002-04:002009-10-18T13:52:25.534-04:00hospitals & their ilkWe've all had a lot of interaction with hospitals recently (I'm sitting in one now. Mom has pneumonia, so I'm here, keeping her company).<br /><br />Tell me: choose one main thing that annoys you about hospitals. I know -- there's so many to choose from? but one is one BIG PEEVE you have.<br /><br />I know what mine is!J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-64869004577444405172009-10-17T14:54:00.003-04:002009-10-17T15:12:34.881-04:00Life lessons from Petey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SAwtqC-5rSdhT-_UvwiOUeKZG4NhWpolJDmp7y2CkMcdE2-NLrtsimjTGcsgnliXddP6sMWsre8FqeRcGBea2ueeZI8087xPF5oJ0Yss6kk0CeM4gMxWdeCtM5-RuESH8k1KDBnIv7I/s1600-h/beagle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 105px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393648416878417314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SAwtqC-5rSdhT-_UvwiOUeKZG4NhWpolJDmp7y2CkMcdE2-NLrtsimjTGcsgnliXddP6sMWsre8FqeRcGBea2ueeZI8087xPF5oJ0Yss6kk0CeM4gMxWdeCtM5-RuESH8k1KDBnIv7I/s400/beagle.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div>We don't have household pets. Though I was raised with "Petey"...a beagle that I lived with from the fourth grade until I married and left home. I always thought of him as my little brother. While he loved me, when my dad was around I was invisible. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What I learned from him...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>No task is too difficult if you think it through. When you're a dog, you pick up the peanut with your tongue, crack the shell with your teeth, spit it out, and then pick up the nut with your tongue.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you want attention, then sit on the papers in the middle of the room amid all the Girl Scouts. If you want them to laugh, you pick up a pencil and let it dangle from the front of your mouth.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you're afraid, then sit next to the person who isn't fighting.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When it's cold, the bottom of the bed under the sheets is a warm place to nest. If you're smart you can sneak yourself up to rest your head on the pillow.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When getting ready for a nap, turn around several times in a circle and pick the best spot of all. Viewing the territory from different angles works.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Be excited when someone you love walks in the door.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If your nose is warm and dry, then eat some grass. For a person, if you feel sick, take something for it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you're exhausted, it's okay to lay your head on the side of the water bowl and let your tongue dip in the water.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rolling in dead fish isn't a good thing. While it was nirvana at the time, you will be bathed when you go home. Even if it's three in the morning.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If someone is irritating you, simply get up and walk away.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sometimes you don't need to bite someone to get a point across, a simple nip will serve the purpose.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wake up each day knowing that it will be exciting.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's okay to be dressed in doll clothes, everyone needs babying at times.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Getting a scratch from someone feels so good.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>It's fun to run. Hang your head out of the car window for awhile. Smell new stuff.</div><br /><div></div></div><br /><div>It's been a long time since Petey died, but he'll always live in my heart. That's one thing about pets, their memory will stay with you.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-51358565821000169662009-10-13T17:05:00.002-04:002009-10-13T17:12:23.044-04:00Life lessonsFrom kittens:<br /><br />1. PLAY. When in doubt, it is a toy and is there for you to play with. Ask forgiveness, don't ask for ... wait a minute. Don't even ask for forgiveness. Just PLAY.<br /><br />2. SLEEP HARD. You deserve it. See #1.<br /><br />3. Your job is to keep the house safe from sneaky toys. Do this job well and you will get Pounce treats. Do your job poorly and you will get Pounce treats. At least make it look good.<br /><br />From adult cats:<br /><br />4. You are beautiful no matter your girth or your flaws. Yes, kittens are 'cute'. You have pride, dignity, and experience to lend you beauty.<br /><br />5. Postpone anything not important. See #1 and #2. Have a fine sense of priorities.<br /><br />6. Your job is to train the young. That may involve hissing, scratching, and nips. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it. You are building character -- theirs.J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-60318658939399883922009-10-12T15:09:00.004-04:002009-10-12T15:20:45.519-04:00Lessons from my dogsI wasn't sure I had much to say on this topic and then "lessons" started occurring to me. I came to these realizations after sharing most of my life with 3 live-in dogs. Here are a few things I've learned from Zack, Max, and Luke:<br /><br />If you want someone's attention, get in their way.<br /><br />If you spit out your medicine, you'll get it wrapped in a treat next time.<br /><br />Not much point in worrying about more than the basics: food, water, shelter, sex, and family.<br /><br />Dogs are allowed to do things no person can do, for instance, sniffing a person's private parts.<br /><br />Nothing like a good nap to while away the hours.<br /><br />If someone bothers you, nip at their heels.<br /><br />If you make a big fuss about getting your nails clipped, you'll be treated to more walks.<br /><br />If you misbehave, there's always the chance Ceasar Milan will make a house call.<br /><br />If you really want to aggrevate the other dog, leave a little food in your dish and guard it.<br /><br />Greet the ones you love with as much enthusiasm as is physically possible.<br /><br />It's okay to stick out your tongue.<br /><br />Wiggle when you get excited.<br /><br />Decadent treats are worth the trouble they bring.<br /><br />The people in charge don't know everything.<br /><br />I'm sure there's more doggie wisdom out there. Perhaps you might want to add a few comments of your own!<br /><br />Maggie Toussaint<br />dog woman<br />check out my granddog in In For A Penny<br /><a href="http://www.maggietoussaint.com/">www.maggietoussaint.com</a>Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-18365246827387742352009-10-11T17:43:00.001-04:002009-10-11T17:44:31.770-04:00What do our pets teach us?For the first time in years, we have young kittens in the house, and I'm re-learning many lessons every day.<br /><br />What are some great lessons you've learned from your pets?J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-6940965615791112432009-10-07T10:59:00.001-04:002009-10-07T11:00:58.025-04:00The sound of knocking on wood is loudI've never been sick. Let me hasten to say that I've had food poisoning (and a bit too much ::ahem:: alcohol) and thus been sick. And I've had a cold. And I have chronic digestive problems, which means I know the location of every bathroom in every restaurant in the Twin Cities.<br /><br />But other than that, I've never been sick. I never had mumps, measles, or chicken pox, even though I helped nurse my siblings (and my spouse) through them. I've got my share of aches & pains, of course: bursitis in both hips necessitating deep bone shots 3x a year. A bum back with a disintegrating disc. And I spent 2 years in physical therapy to try to keep me out of a wheelchair because of said back.<br /><br />But I just don't get sick. I get the sniffles now & then. I had a fever once. And I have an occasional asthma attack when I get too near the sheep barn at the State Fair.<br /><br />Good genes? Possibly. I also swear by the Hall's Defense Vitamin C drops (sugar-free, at a Target or Walgreen's near you) which I suck on like candy. I have a glass of wine every night (heck, sometimes I have 2!). I exercise daily, even if it's just a walk. I get 5 hours of sleep a night before the pain in my back and/or my hips wakes me. When I get 7 hours it's a calendar event. I eat pretty much anything but small amounts. And I make a killer pot of chicken soup which I swear will cure just about anything short of bubonic plague (and I'm not sure of that only because I haven't tested it on any plague victims).<br /><br />Whatever it is that's keeping the Angel of Icky from my door, I am SO thankful for it. And I plan to superstitiously continue whatever I'm doing on the off-chance I'm doing something right.<br /><br />Knock on wood.J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936957011511279240.post-71314233735449825842009-10-04T12:18:00.000-04:002009-10-04T12:19:13.557-04:00Proactive tipsA couple of people mentioned the ensuing flu season -- and I know several of our members have illness that makes flu a potentially NASTY event for them.<br /><br />What's your best advice to try to avoid the worst of the flu season? Any sovereign cures, remedies, or advice?J Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016624838926050085noreply@blogger.com0