Speed Bump!

Today has been great, but nothing exciting to write about. So, because I believe laughter is the best medicine here is a a really funny cartoon that Mari sent to me the other day.

This fantastic, talented artist/cartoonist is Dave Coverly and you can check out his brilliant work at SPEEDBUMP.COM  And I love what Dave Barry had to say about Dave Coverly. Because I love this artist and I am still laughing!

Y'all have a great day and keep on laughing!

The Duck!

Today has been great. I've spent most of my day doing my second full edit on my third novella, which is now actually a book instead of a novella. And so far I am very pleased with how it is going.

Late this afternoon I walked down to the mailbox to get our mail. I had a notice from the Post Office that I needed to come pick up a package, sent to me from Canada, at the Medina Post Office. So Tony and I went to Medina to pick it up.

Omg, I absolutely love what our dear friend Fay, in Toronto, sent to me and her timing was perfect, because lately I've been somewhat depressed concerning Roy Rogers, my faithful, old companion that Tony and I rescued on December 22, 2011.

Seriously, Roy is my soulmate and it is simply impossible for me to explain just how much I love this great, old dog—MY BEST FRIEND.

Anyway, when I opened Fay's package, as we were driving back home, I teared up immediately when I saw the beautiful canvas portrait of Roy. And tears filled my eyes all of the way home, because I know that Roy's days are numbered now and  that he will not be around much longer to bring me joy and make me feel so loved. And Fay knew that I've been depressed about Roy. Here is her sweet note to me.

That was so sweet of Fay to want to cheer me up concerning Roy and I love the spin that she put on Roy-al, because of the portrait. And of course I love the cute, little green martian sticker.

And even before we got back home I already knew exactly where I wanted to hang Roy's canvas portrait. So when we got back home I quickly took this picture of the wall in front of my desk, because I had decided to remove the wooden-carved duck, above the oval clock, so I could replace it with Roy's beautiful portrait. 

Then Tony unscrewed the duck from the wall and seconds later there was Roy's portrait hanging in its place.

And yes, I teared up again. But now I am so happy that I can look up from my desk and see Roy or see him anytime when I am in the kitchen or the big room. So I do want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and say: 

"Fay, thank you so very much for sending me this fabulous canvas portrait of Roy. I love it and I love you & Ian! And I will treasure it forever! You are the BEST! And so is Roy's portrait!

But P.S. Fay, when you have the time could you please send me a bottle of wood glue, if Customs will allow it, because the duck's head broke-off, when Tony removed it from the wall.

     Always With Love & Best Wishes,

       Nancy"

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing/quacking!

Back And Forth Today!

Today has been great, because I've spent most of my day doing some serious rewrites and editing. During my day I would rest for a few minutes and check my e-mail off and on.

Around 1:00, I took an hour long break and I made us sandwiches for our lunch. Then I was back to editing again. And so there wasn't anything great, exciting or funny stuff to write about for tonight's post.

So I am going to tell you about my dear friend Mari and I writing short e-mails back and forth today, because this morning Mari sent me one of those funny pictures about Wal-Mart shoppers. Below is an edited version of our correspondence.

Mari wrote:

"I must be the ONLY person on the planet who has never had what I’m told is a ‘typical’ Wal-Mart experience....

…I’ve always had decent experiences in Wal-Mart – at least when it comes to the PEOPLE. (Not so, the stocking, where they are often out of stuff I want, or I have to dodge people pulling food for Pick-Up, or they’ve MOVED stuff to where I can’t find it!)"

I wrote:

"....A few weeks ago when I was in there buying another colander/alien-attracting helmet to make for a friend, there were these two girls, probably about thirteen, throwing a big ball back and forth over an isle. They were laughing and screaming while their boyfriends jumped on bicycles and began riding them up and down the isles in the kid's toys section. It made Tony and me mad and we wondered where their parents were…."

Mari wrote:

"Ok so I started laughing when reading this. You – are there “buying another colander/alien-attracting helmet”. Does that qualify YOU as a Wal-Martian? LOL

Seriously though I can believe it about the kids because they are not being raised with respect any more and their parents are off looking at their cellphones. I wouldn’t want John Q. Public in any building that I own.

Little wonder Wal-Mart has cameras everywhere."

I wrote:

"...Omg, you're right—me buying another alien-attracting helmet—lol! So,I guess that does make me a Wal-Martian!"

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Danny Collins!

Today has been great, but it is still early. Anyway, last night I watched a great movie, Danny Collins, on Amazon Prime, starring Al Pacino and it is based on a true story about an aging rock star.

Anyway, it was so good I stayed up past midnight, because I could not quit watching it and I plan on watching it again tonight, because I love the story and the music. And here is the Danny Collins trailer, so you can check it out. Danny Collins.

Y'all have a great Sunday and keep on laughing!

Round And Round! or 16 Minutes! or Steve!

This past week I've been so busy either working, editing or sleeping it has simply flown by. I am thrilled with how well the editing is going which has been full of rewrites and cutting, etc. But I must admit or brag that this 3rd novella of mine is definitely my best of the three, because it has made me laugh so much my back is aching.

Today has been great. This afternoon after we ate lunch, we loaded up Trigger, our loyal, aging F-150, with laundry and then we took off for Kerrville, so we could do our laundry, at the Country Clean Laundromat, on Water Street. Which is conveniently located only one block away from the big H-E-B grocery store on Main Street.

While our dirty clothes swished back and forth in the washing machines Tony and I took the opportunity to go grab our groceries at H-E-B. And luckily we returned just before the last spin cycle had stopped, so we did not waste any time at all.

After Tony helped me put our wet clothes into two dryers, we sat down on a nearby bench and we watched our clothes go round and round.

Quickly filled with boredom I suggested that we run down to the park to feed the ducks and walk around, but Tony was not keen on my idea, because it was chilly outside.

And sooner than later I was glad that we had stayed put, because this friendly, nice gentleman walked over to us and he introduced himself as the new owner of this and three other laundromats, in Kerrville.

After meeting Carlos, I told this nice man about how much we loved his laundromat, "It is always so clean and the bathrooms are always sparkling. We truly love to do our laundry here..."

Carlos thanked us for our praises and then he asked us if we had a few minutes to talk to him about any possible improvements that he might make, so I jokingly said, "You've got 27 minutes. Start talking." Then we all started laughing, as our clothes tumbled dry in his dryers.

We told Carlos that we thought that there was nothing more he could do to improve his laundromat, because it was perfect as it was. Then he told us about a few ideas that he had for improvements. And when he was finished talking, I teased him, and said, "You've now got 16 minutes left."

Anyway, thanks to Carlos the time flew by quickly. And a few minutes later, after Carlos had adios-ed us, we were busy folding our cleaned clothes. So I want to do a big a shout out—"Country Clean Laundromats Rule in Kerrville! They are absolutely the BEST!"

Before I finish writing this tonight I want to go down memory lane, because yesterday Ronnie, my sweet, big brother called me, "Nance, you've got mail, because I just sent you an old photograph I found of you and Steve playing guitars, at one of my many birthday parties, at City Park in Austin. It was 1971. "I was 21 and you were 20. You're playing my Gibson and Steve was playing your Martin."

Then Ronnie laughed, and said, "Actually it is a picture of you and Steve's arm is in it."

After we adios-ed each other, I immediately checked my e-mail from Ronnie and after I looked at the picture I shot this note back to Ronnie—"Thanks for the photo. I don't think I was frowning in it. I think I was just concentrating real hard on playing the guitar. Anyway, I love this picture of Steve! He was one good-looking boyfriend of mine and one great lead guitarist!"

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Strange!

This afternoon we had a strange-looking visitor. I got this picture of it, before it vanished! "It" was very nice, but it freaked out our four-leggers.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

(Actually Tony zipped up my put on backwards sweatshirt for me, before taking this picture of the back of my head, and after he took this picture, he made me beg him to unzip my sweatshirt for me. I felt like I was stuck inside a straight-jacket.)

I Saw The Light! or The Screen Shot!

Today has been great. I got a lot of editing done this morning before going to work for a few hours.

We went to Kerrville earlier this afternoon to run a few errands and when we got home my super-cool "cheater (non-prescription) glasses" with LED lights on the front had arrived and I am thrilled with them.

Up until last month, I never knew about these kind of "lighted" glasses, until Lisa and Eileen had come over to dig for arrowheads with Tony. When Eileen showed us hers I just had to get a pair for myself. And they cost me less than $10.00 on Amazon with FREE SHIPPING!

Tony was outside when I put my new glasses on and I had "turned on the headlights" and when he came back inside he burst out laughing when he saw me, and asked, "Are you really going to wear those things?"

So I dimmed the lights, actually I turned them off, because they don't have a dimmer switch, and I replied, "Yes! I love them and we should get you a pair." Needless to say Tony said nothing and went back outside.

About an hour ago, I decided to check my e-mail, so I took off my bifocals and put on my new pair of LED glasses. And I am delighted to tell y'all that from now on I will always wear these glasses when using my computer—even though Tony thinks I look crazy wearing them.
Here are pictures of my new headlights:

These glasses remind me a little of what Clark Kent wore. Except when you turn them on. Maybe I should buy a cape?

Anyway, with my headlights on, I checked my e-mail and Eileen #66 had sent everyone in our AACC (Ancient Aliens Coffee Club) this e-mail with this screenshot from her phone:

After I read this alert I almost fell out of my chair and I almost broke my new glasses that fell to the floor, but Henry Standing Bear came to my rescue and he licked my face. And if I had not been fast enough—Henry would have accidentally broken my glasses or better said—"Henry was in the headlights!"

After settling down, I put my glasses back on and sent this e-mail blast to our AACC members:

"Omg! I love this!! i cannot wait to discuss this!...Nancy"

And seconds later, my e-mail to my friends in the club, bounced back and informed me there was an error and the delivery had failed. "What? You've got to be kidding me? And why now?" 

So I quickly resent my response again, and fortunately, this time it was delivered. 

BUT, when I started reading all of the earlier replies from our club members, #74 reported to us that she did not receive the screen shot. And it makes me wonder. It makes me wonder what I am going to fix us for dinner.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Happy Birthday #66!

Today has been a total blast, but before I tell you about it I must tell you about Saturday and yesterday.

On Saturday knowing that our next AACC (Ancient Alien Coffee Club) was today, at Randy & Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant, I decided that I wanted to make Eileen an alien-attracting-helmet for her 66th surprise birthday party, which we celebrated today.

So Tony and I went to Kerrville to get shiny stuff and lightning bolts at the party store. Then we went to Home Town Crafts Store, located in the same strip center, so I could buy more stuff for her helmet. And our last stop for supplies was at Walmart to buy the basic helmet (colander). Then we went to the small H-E-B, so we could order a birthday cake for Eileen.

I ordered a chocolate cake with white icing and the trim and lettering was green. And this is what I wanted written on the top of it:

HBE!     

Ancient Alien #66

And please note HBE stands for Happy Birthday Eileen!

When we got back home I used my charm to recruit Tony to help me make Eileen's fancy alien-attracting helmet. Originally, I was going to use my hot way gun and do all of the work, but after I had moaned and groaned about getting hot wax on me and it burning—Tony offered to do the gluing. So under my careful instruction, as I looked over his shoulder, he did most of the work. And here is the end result.

Needless to say Tony and I were very pleased with our hard work and Tony wanted to take a picture of me wearing it. So we went outside and Tony took this picture, but I had to crop it down to this size, so I wouldn't look so fat.

Sunday morning after we worked next door, I decided that we needed to go back to Kerrville, so we could pick up the birthday cake and deliver it to Lisa's Save Inn. And also because I wanted Tony and I to make us alien-attracting-helmets to wear at the party.

After we had delivered the cute cake to the Save Inn, Tony and I made the same rounds again. And our last stop was at Walmart to buy me a helmet.

We only bought one helmet/colander, because Tony wanted to use one of his old straw cowboy hats for his alien-attracting-helmet.

Long story short—when we got back home Tony and I worked on our helmets. And while I decorated my helmet, Tony made antennas for his cowboy hat. And we did a lot of laughing, because we decided to just write #65 on the front of his helmet to tease Eileen. Because for years Tony and Eileen have had a running joke about Eileen being so much older than him. Even though she is only a few months older than him. This is what we came up with:

And yes, there is a green bunny on the top of my alien-attracting helmet, but you will have to read my third novella to understand the significance of the green bunny. (I still have much final editing to do before publishing it, but it is coming along.)

This morning Tony and I and Lisa arrived before anyone else in our AACC got there, so we decorated the table and placed Eileen's birthday cake in the middle of the table. And the waitresses and customers kept laughing as they watched us and stared at our goofy-looking alien-attracting-helmets. Then it was show time!

Eileen was the last to arrive, so when she walked inside the restaurant we all hollered "Happy Birthday Eileen!" And let's just say that Eileen was shocked when she saw her #66 alien-attracting-helmet. And then Tony and I put on our alien-attracting-helmets and everyone was laughing.

Bottom   Line: The food was delicious, we surprised Eileen and our Ancient Alien Coffee Club meeting was very interesting. And when it was time to end the party, this sweet older woman walked over to our table, and said, "I just want to thank y'all for a very enjoyable breakfast, because your laughter kept us laughing...."

Before we adios-ed everyone inside, the friendly waitress asked if they could take pictures of us wearing our alien-attracting-helmets and after posing for them and several other people, sitting at their tables taking pictures of us, we went out on the steps of The Save Inn, for another short photo session. 

And the reason that I am laughing so hard, in this picture, is because Eileen will never know that after making my helmet, I stole the pink straps from her helmet and put them on my alien-attracting-helmet.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

The Cowgirl Sisterhood: The Terlingua Treasure Map Mystery!

Last night I am proud to say that I finally finished writing my third novella, The Cowgirl Sisterhood: The Terlingua Treasure Map Mystery. I am still not sure about the title, but that is the working title for now.

Even though I have finished writing my book, I still have lots to do with it such as major editing, etc. And I am hoping that my little publishing company Undepressable Press will be publishing and releasing it within the next few weeks. But time will tell.

Today has been so great. This afternoon, before we met our dear friends for lunch at The Boat in Kerrville, Tony and I had enough time so we swung by Wild Birds Unlimited, because I wanted to buy another bunny, as a gift to me for finishing writing #3.

When we walked inside this super-cool store, Linda and Tricia greeted us and then I told Linda that I wanted to buy another beautiful bunny. "Great," Linda replied. "It is good that you came by today, because I've almost sold out of them. Everyone seems to love them."

While I picked out my next shiny rabbit, Tony picked up a cylinder of SuperSuet with hot pepper for his birds, because our raccoons don't like to eat it. And because we were in a hurry and almost running late, we paid for our stuff and quickly left the store.

When we arrived at The Boat, on time, our friends were standing in the parking lot talking to each other, so I grabbed my pretty bunny and showed it to them, before we went inside to eat. Needless to say—everyone loved my beautiful rabbit.

We had a really delicious lunch with our friends and of course there was a lot of laughing.

As soon as we got back home, I took four pictures. Here are the first two:

Then I took two pictures of my new bunny meeting the metal armadillo and the other bunny. But when I downloaded my pictures there were a total of five pictures. And this is the third picture.

When I saw this I thought what in the world is this thing? I only took four pictures. Then after studying the picture closely I realized that it is a picture I must have accidentally taken of the overhead light and fixture above the kitchen island. Anyway I was relieved that I had figured it out. And here are the pictures of the bunnies and the armadillo's meet & greet.

Then I grabbed my new silver rabbit and I took it and my camera out to The Last Resort, my writing cabin. And here are pictures of the new bunny doing a meet & greet with my new black Yeti (Yeti Blue microphone). That I will be using when I start podcasting soon.

And that is about it for tonight, because I plan to do some more editing on #3.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

P.S. This morning I took this picture of Henry Standing Bear standing on top of the table, on our  front porch, having a serious conversation with Tony. I don't know why Henry loves standing on top of things.

Best Buns In Town!

Today has been great and so has everyday since my last post. I've been very busy working, going on a couple of all day trips and writing.

This past Wednesday Tony and I went to visit our dear friend Jan, at her awesome horse rescue sanctuary, in Mountain Home and I fell in love with all of her beautiful rescued horses, cats, dogs, donkeys, and an adorable outlaw hog, etc.

Yesterday I went with Carol, to Bulverde, to visit one of my favorite people—her sweet sister Carla.

I loved getting to visit with Carla and her beautiful family. And while I was there I fell in love with their sweet cat, who dared anyone to remove him from Carla's lap.

I spent this morning writing non-stop and this afternoon, after lunch, I was writing and I thought my worldly travels were over, but we needed to go to Kerrville to pick up supplies at the big H-E-B store on Main Street. So I had to quit writing. Dang.

I didn't want to quit writing, because I only have about ten more pages to write before finishing my book.

Anyway, I had just written this scene where Tony, Chet and Randy rode the horses to the bottom of a butte, in Terlingua, in hopes of rescuing Carol and me, but instead they were captured by aliens. Here is a peak of what I had written:

"At 3:33 to be exact, this blinding light, high above the butte, beamed down on the three cowboys, from this huge flying saucer and it created a wide circle around the three men. The drenching rain instantly stopped, inside this brightly lit ring and neither Tony, Chet or Randy could talk or move. It was like they were paralyzed or frozen in time. Then the beam of light went out and the men were gone and so was the spaceship."

I was disappointed that I had to quit writing right then, because I was trying to decide if or when the men are returned to Earth and if they would be stripped of all of their cowboy clothes, except for their underwear and socks, because aliens LOVE everything cowboy—especially the cowboy hats, Wrangers, buckles, belts and cowboy boots.

So, I daydreamed all of the way to Kerrville, as Tony drove Trigger to the big H-E-B, but I still hadn't made a decision about what will happen to Tony and his search party. Will they return to Earth or not?

After we left the grocery store we went down Main Street and Tony parked Trigger in front of the Wild Birds Unlimited store, because we wanted to visit with our friends: Marguerite and Linda & Kevin Pillow, the friendly owners.

When we walked inside the store all of our dear friends greeted us and then sweet Marguerite ran over and gave me a big hug.

I love Marguerite so much and after the hugs she and I immediately started catching up with each others news. And we mainly talked about our dogs, cats and her birds and I did make a point to brag that Little Debbie and I are going to be actresses in Jay Pennington's and Gerry Olert's upcoming Short Western—Vinegar to Honey.

While Marguerite was telling me about one of her dogs that she had adopted from our rescue ranch, I couldn't help but notice that Linda had come away from the counter and she had started decorating a display near us. I teased Linda, and said, "Linda, you're not fooling me. You do this every time I come in here, because you know I will buy whatever you display."

And we had a good laugh about it and yes, I did end up buying one of the coolest bunnies on her newest display and I told Tony that it was his Valentine gift for me. Bottom   Line: This is the second bunny that I  have purchased from Linda & Kevin's awesome store, because I LOVE bunnies and they have the best buns in town!

When Tony and I got back home and after we had put up the groceries I pulled my bunny out of the Wild Birds Unlimited sack and I could not quit admiring it.

Here is a picture of the first bunny I purchased from Wild Birds Unlimited. It is made of wood and wrapped inside a metal strip. And it always gets noticed when we have friends over.

And here is Tony's shiny bunny Valentine gift for me that I LOVE so much!

As I finish writing this, because I love my new bunny so much, I've decided that Tony, Randy and Chet will definitely be returned to Earth, but that is all that I am saying about it. But wouldn't it be cool if these aliens that captured them—looked like rabbits? And that is all the men can remember about their abduction?

Y'all have a great day and keep on laughing!