Mojo Monday

~ Groucho Marx

I read in the newspapers they are going to have 30 minutes of intellectual stuff on television every Monday from 7:30 to 8. to educate America. They couldn't educate America if they started at 6:30.

Q: What do you get when you cross an insomniac, an agnostic, and a dyslexic? A: Someone who stays up all night wondering if there is a Dog.

Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.

Friday Photo

Here's a nice black and white photo of Ben Godfrey

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Tips on Romance for Him part 1

1. Tell her she is beautiful.

2. Hold her hand at any moment . . . even if its just for a second.

3. Hug her from behind.

4. Leave her voice or txt messages to wake up to.

5. Wrestle with her :)

6. don't go hang out with you ex when shes not with you, you might not relize how badly it hurts her.

7. If youre talking to another girl, when you're done talking, walk over and hug her and kiss her....let her know she's yours and they aren't.

8.Write her notes or call her just to say "hi".

9.Introduce her to your friends . . . as your girlfriend.

10. Play with her hair.

11. Pick her up (she loves it).

12. Get upset if another guy touches her and she doesn't like it.

13. Make her laugh.

Be sure to visit Romance Writers Behaving Badly for a T13 on Mae West!

Tasty Tuesday - Chocolate Diamonds

A chocolate diamond is a brown diamond, one of many types of colored diamonds. Most chocolate diamonds come from diamond mines in Australia. The natural occurring brown color is thought to be created by the earth's pressure on the diamonds deep in the earth. Chocolate diamonds, perhaps due to their new name, seem to be gaining in popularity however. A brilliant marketing scheme to help sell an abundance of low color diamonds was to rename them to "chocolate diamonds." People who never gave brown diamonds the time of day, now are looking at these diamonds. They want to be able to say that they own a chocolate diamond. It's different. It's a conversation starter and more than anything else, it's still a diamond! There are also different hues of fancy colored diamonds.

For instance, the hue of a brown diamond is designated into the categories: Chocolate – light brown diamonds with no other discernable color Champaign – sparkling warm golden brown
Cognac – deep reddish/orange
Cinnamon – light pinkish brown
Honey – deep yellow orange
Clove diamonds – deep olive brown

Chocolate diamonds look great with gold and also colors like blue and green. These really make it stand out.
Chocolate pearl diamonds – this is a very elegant mix of dark brown and white that reminds many of the chocolate diamond’s namesake. Chocolate diamonds & turquoise – a very daring, but stunning mix with different textures to enhance the overall effect. Chocolate diamonds & white diamonds – this is a very common mix, but still very brilliant. Chocolate diamonds & other colored gems – again very common, but so much variety, any piece of jewelry is practically its own unique piece.

Banner contest

I'm looking at posting a new banner for my website.

Please look over these contestants and pick your favorite. Feel free to make recommendations too!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Gotta love living in Michigan.

We started Spring Break with snow and ice.

We ended Spring Break by breaking a temperature record set in the 1920's by hitting 85 degrees.

Last night I slept with the windows open. The wind blew through the trees and instead of sounding like dried bones rattling, the branches thudded as if they were soft and coming back to life.

The spring peepers sang all night; despite keeping my boys awake, I found it to be music lulling me to my dreams. When I lived in northern Michigan, I became so used to the shrill peeper call that if I didn't hear it, I couldn't sleep. Ahhhh.....peace.

But the summer-like temperatures aren’t going to last. A cold front is expected to move through central Michigan, dropping temperatures to a much more normal range, in the low to mid-60s with lows in the 40s.

Seriously?

Sometimes I wonder if the state's weather is the result of Mother Nature on PMS. It certainly has "mood swings". For the moment I will enjoy this lovely breather. I open my arms and embrace Spring. I inhale the scent of Mother Earth as she wakes. I feel strength pour into my weary, cold soaked body.

Happy Spring to all.

Here it is, Monday. I've been up for four hours and have swept/mopped the floors, did five loads of laundry, and tidied the kitchen. Then I noticed how dry my hands were. Here's a few tips for those dishpan hands.

* Rub olive oil into your hands before cleaning. Especially if you wear cleaning gloves - which is a very smart thing to do, but not everybody feels comfortable wear those big ugly yellow things.

* Silicone Glove is a lotion sold by Avon. Many women (and men) state how this seems to protect their hands. (My Mom used it all the time, but Dad preferred Corn Huskers he purchased from the pharmacy.)

* Mix together 1/4 cup of ground almonds, a beaten egg, a handful of comfrey root, and a tablespoon of honey. Coat your hands with the mixture, pull on an old pair of leather or cotton gloves and wear overnight. Rinse your hands in the morning and repeat this for a week. Your hands will feel very soft and supple.

* For bad nails, immerse fingertips into a bowl of warm olive oil for 30 minutes a day until you see an improvement. (I did this prior to my wedding and I had amazing nails!) If olive oil is a bit sparse in your cupboard, fill a small bowl with water and add just enough oil to cover the water. Warm carefully.

* For stains that won't go away, rub hands and nails with the pithy side of a piece of lemon zest. Leave for a minute and then wash off.

* If you cook with cast iron or have a large wood cutting board, use lard to bring the polish back. Afterwards, rub your hands together and enjoy the softness in your skin.

There are so many products on the store shelves for dry, cracked, itchy, red... whatever state your hands are in. Through my confusion I think back to the work my grandmothers used to do, yet their hands, skin and hair was always nice. Perhaps in the old wives' tales there may be some truth!

Photo Friday - A Michigan Man

This fellow looks alot like the hero of my latest WIP on this sexy man...
Meet Todd Sanfield.

Todd Sanfield, born in Michigan, (whoot-whoot, that's my state!) is an American model, who came to fame for gracing the front covers of two popular men's magazines: DNA and Tetu (in the summer of 2007. Aside from Tetu and DNA, Sanfield has also appeared in OUT magazine and modeled for a number of underwear companies. (That explains why it is so hard to find a photo of him with a shirt on! Not that we mind...really.)

Sanfield is a med student and has been modeling for over a year. He says that he owes his success to his parents. After all it was his proud mom who persuaded him to get into modeling.

Sandfield did some research into the top agencies in New York and sent in some photos. IMG called him back within an hour.

According to Sanfield, the five words that best describe him are: Outgoing, thoughtful, energetic, charismatic and narcissistic.

And when asked where he sees himself in five years, he says, "Back in school getting my medicine degree. Or the next Brad Pitt!"

Wow! I am soooooooooooooooo glad I live in Michigan.

Don't worry ladies... there's more where he came from!

Love Me Knot

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site.

The air was unusually warm for March. Snow was melting quickly, leaving puddles on the street and sidewalk. Strong green shoots of hyacinths and crocus pushed through the hard soil around the trees planted along the store fronts. Shopkeepers were preparing their store fronts for the day and were taking advantage of the mild weather.

He stepped out of an apartment located over the local shops. Walking along the sidewalk with determination in his step, his flannel shirt fluttered open.

"Well if it isn't Robbie Mac Donnell." The pub owner stopped sweeping the porch to lean against his broom. "Good to see you back, lad."

"It's good to be back, Mr. Murphy.

"Off to the coffee shop to see a particular young lady on this glorious morning?" The older man winked.

"Maybe," Robbie smiled, "I'll stop in for lunch."

"Maybe," Mr. Murphy laughed. "We'll see."

Robbie continued walking, smiling to himself. Life was good and could only get better; he was sure of it.

"Hey, Robbie, my boy! Think quick!"

He turned just in time to catch an apple that had been tossed in his direction from the grocer. Mr. Jennings came out of his door with a bin of fresh fruit to display in an effort to attract customers.

"Good to see you home, son!" Mr. Jennings put the bin down to clasp Robbie's shoulder.

"Thanks, good to be home." Wincing a bit from the rough grip on his shoulder where a wound from his adventure lay under his shirt.

"What's in the fancy box? A little gift for a little lady?"

"Maybe," he smiled and continued walking.

"Hey there, Robbie," boomed a large voice from a small woman fussing over a pot of polar pansies outside the book shop. "The book you ordered on Irish castles came in while you were gone."

"Thanks, Mrs. Stork." Robbie stopped to give the woman a kiss on her cheek. "It's a gift for my mom. I'll pick it up later."

"Off to the coffee shop, dear?" Mrs. Stork's eyes sparkled a brilliant blue.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. That's very good." She muttered to herself as she adjusted her worn sweater and turned her attention back to her plants.

Stepping around several women patiently waiting for the craft store to open and begin a quilting class, Robbie flashed a smile at them. He loved traveling but home was were his heart would always remain. During the last month spent in Ireland, he had plenty of time to look closely at his life. As a marine investigator, he enjoyed beautiful beaches around the world and women where ever he went. It was high time he settled down with a good woman and he knew exactly who she was.

Without pausing, he flung open the door to the coffee shop. Rows of tea nestled on shelves with various muffins made with dried fruits. The odor of fresh brewed coffee permeated the air. A couple sat huddled in intimate conversation next to the crackling fireplace. A little girl lay cuddled next to her mother on a couch. Several others focused on the morning paper or had their noses in a laptop. Mimi Cates owned the coffee shop where people enjoyed gathering. He felt himself smile, thinking of the petite spitfire of a woman.

Cory was standing behind the counter filling a customer's order. Tattooed with many piercings, Cory was popular around town not only for his friendly demeanor but his talent for writing folk songs.

"Hey, dude!" Robbie fisted Cory. "Where's your ole boss lady?"

"Shit man, if she hears you call her that, she'll cream you." Cory and the customer both laughed. "She's upstairs working on a painting. It's from one of those postcards you sent."

"Thanks," taking a cup of coffee from the young man, Robbie walked past the counter to a door that led to the stairs.


Mimi put her mug down and reached for a paint brush to add the finishing touches to the fantasy landscape. Several postcards from Robbie hung by clothespins on a line against the wall next to her table. She rarely left town but traveled vicariously through him. Combining the lovely scenes he picked out for her and a imagination full of folklore, she created fanciful works that not only filled the walls of the shop but also pulled in extra cash.

Touching the silver chain around her neck and fingering the tiny shamrock charm, her thoughts went to her neighbor who had given it to her. After years of friendship, she wondered if it would be possible to take their relationship to a different level. However, at thirty-four she was a homebody and needed stability; he just a couple years older suffered wanderlust and thrived on the unknown.

Satisfied with her work, she set her brush down and picked at some green paint left on a fingernail. A draft swooshed up the stairs as a door below was opened. Mimi recognized the heavy footsteps and turned just as Robbie entered the room.

"Well... you're a sight for sore eyes!" Mimi grinned.

Dressed in black jeans, black boots, black tank under a plaid shirt with hunky muscles peeking out. His reddish blonde hair was its usual mess as if he just crawled out of bed. Dark brows arched over beautiful green eyes and those lips...so kissable.

Without saying a word, Robbie placed the box he was carrying onto the table and walked towards her. His hand slipped under her hair to cup the base of her head, while his other arm circled around her. When his lips came down on hers, Mimi had to grab onto him to keep from falling over in surprise. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did.

"Ah... welcome home?" She choked on the words.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

1. Pot o' Gold

2. Rainbow

3. Leprechauns

4. Shamrocks. This stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity.

5. Wearin' of the green.

6. For over 40 years, the city of Chicago has dyed the Chicago River green. The city uses a vegetable dye that starts off orange but with some Leprechaun magic, it turns green in time for St. Patty's Day.

7. A pint of beer. According to IrishAbroad.com, there are 800 registered Irish pubs in Ireland, 1500 in the U.S., 300 in Canada, 80 in Australia and even 15 in the Middle East.


8. Parades. New York City saw its first St. Patty's parade in 1762, when a group of Irish-born soldiers staged an impromptu march with their regimental band.

9. The feast.The traditional Irish meal of bacon and cabbage has evolved into today's corned beef and cabbage in the U.S.


10. School children pinching classmates who don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day



HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Read an excerpt from Love Me Knot.