Monday Morning Gratitudes

Rain that replenishes the earth
February, the love month
friends who I love
warm house
running water--yeah. Think what happens when it freezes up...
opportunities that present themselves to help me
a wise husband--I really mean this. He gives me so many good answers when I question him
God's patience with me.

Blessings!

Sunday Morniing Peace: Love

LOVE is in the Air:

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired,

--Robert Frost

The heart that loves is always young.

--Greek Proverb

Things are truly beautiful if you love them.

--Mademoiselle Colombe

A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other the guardian of his solitude

and shows him this confidence: the greatest in his power to bestow.

--Rainer Maria Rilke

The greatest of these is love...

--The Bible

Blessings

Of Mice and Men and February Contest Info...

Mice: Could you consider one for a pet? The reason I'm asking: in one of my suspense novels, yet to be published, Tara--the detective--has one for a pet. Her twin brother gave it to her for a joke, and she ended up loving the little fellow. He's also sensitive to what is right and/or wrong in the cases she's trying to solve and he's able to give her animal hints (if she's smart enough to figure them out!)

So, would you have a mouse for a pet? Is it too icky? (By the way, I'm considering changing Tara's pet to an exotic cat) Are you afraid of mice? And are they more trouble than men?

That's what I'm getting at. Mice mess (uh hem) where you don't want them to. They get into the food you don't want them in and cause more work. But what else do they do? They scamper, but then who wouldn't when a monster-ish human form towers over you? I'd run for my life, too!

Men:
Not to be too indelicate (have you ever cleaned a toilet bowl?), but yeah, same difference. Then, ever try to hide the cookies? (homemade bread, pie, cake, etc. etc.) You'd think they were going through a worse persecution than some foreign third world country. They're much worse than children when they get sick. (I carry the phone around afraid any minute I'll have to call emergency.) And just let them prepare some document, manuscript, article, etc. You must, must, must listen to this. 

So why is it when I have a tiny bit of my novel I need proofread, "I'm too busy right now" is what I hear? Fair turnabout is what I thought it was all about.

Men!

They insist on heading to the most boring sections in Wal-Mart. They chat endlessly about sports and cars and jobs, but let us mention a baby! Oh, my, their eyes turn glassy and droop with a sudden syndrome called sleepiness.

Tell me this: is that fair?

But, hey, I gotta remember, I get warm cuddlings from one certain handsome man (hubby!), and I can't complain about him not taking me places.

He helps me in the house, strives to give me what I need--and want (most of the time--don't want to get too generous here!) He's good at keeping the fireplace stoked because he knows I love it. He puts up with my pets, when he'd just as soon not have any. He listens-- sometimes, or, at least, pretends to--to my eternal chatting about my writing. He buys me flowers. And I think he loves me.

Hmmm . . . I think I'll keep him around for awhile yet. 

CONTEST QUESTION TIME

(You must comment on every contest question I have this month--

February, 2018,

 and I will label them as such. 

One per week for the whole month.)

Contest Question:

So what is it to be:  Mice?  or  Men?  

VOTING TIME...

Oh, yeah, you want to know what you get?

This:

and a kindle copy of 

Knight in Shining Apron

Book 2

of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series

How's that for a beautiful, romantic gift?

Happy Reading!

A New Month: What's in Store?

That's a good question to ask myself: 

What's in store for February?

Of course, I don't know for certain,

but I can predict (rightly or wrongly),

I can plan,

make another list,

and WORK HARD

to accomplish.

* It's Valentine's Month, the love month, so...

I'm looking forward to taking and spending a bit of special time with

the love of my life.

* I'm planning to near the finish line writing my second WWII novel,

A Flute in the Willows

* Planning to enjoy two birthdays this month,

Son #1's and hubby's. 

* Want to draw closer to God, stay loyal and faithful.

Do you have any special plans for February?

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Today, I'm thankful for:

Our sweet nieces:

• Tammy
• Cyndi
• Marie
• Sherri
• Chrissie
• Stevie
• Ashley
• Tara
• Tiffanie

thankful for a hubby who loves me enough

the feeling I get when I see the first snowflakes falling

winter white

the knowledge that there is some good in the cold weather

As sure as there is cold, there is warm weather following

a beautiful, memorable funeral 

the assurance we can see our passing loved ones again.

Blessings!

Fabulous February Contest

What's more fabulous than getting something for almost nothing? Not much.

I'm so excited and thrilled with my upcoming book  The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman (women's fiction with strong suspenseful scenes and lots of romance!) that I've decided to do something special!

EVERY month until its release date I'm going to offer some kind of contest for those who participate. Sometimes the requirements will be easy like last month and this month, sometimes harder, but always, always fun! Sometimes the gift will be one item; sometimes multiple items.

For your information (and perhaps you already knew this. If so, bear with me, please!) February has SIX special days this month:

1. February 2: Candlemas day, the halfway point between Christmas and Easter. Yes.
2. February 4: Thank a postman day. Hmmm.
3. February 9: Happy Chocolate Day. Oooo la la!
4. February 14: Valentine's Day
5. February 15: Single Awareness Day
6. February 20: Love Your Pet Day (whether you have a pet or not, you still get a gift if you win!)

Now how much fun do you think we can get out of those days?
Well, for every special day listed, I'm going to add another gift to some lucky person. Here are two of the gifts to be included

A bag of Godiva chocolates (for the chocolate day!)

A beautiful 3-D journal (to write down all your memories and thoughts OR to write some notes for your next book!)

and

a $15.00 gift certificate from Amazon (to save to buy my book OR to spend however you want!) 

With three more gifts coming. Smile.

 

All you have to do to be in the running is:

Tell me the most special and creative way you'd love to spend with your husband/wife, boy/girl friend. Include your email addy in the comment section. You can also friend me on fb and comment on my fb page.

Someone will win; it might be YOU!

Lovely blessings!