First of the rest

I feel like I've been swimming upstream since January when I consider my goals. It seems ages ago that I brightly shared my plans for 2011. Little did I know that illness would kick me and my goals in the teeth (although it felt like it aimed somewhat lower).

Still, I'm recovering. Not as fast as I'd like, but I've had more good days than bad lately so things are getting better. Still have this hacking cough and am tired more than I'd like.

I got peppermint oil as suggested by Wendy and have been using it as a "pick me up." No, I don't drink it. I have a diffuser candle and use it in that. I really think it works. Maybe it only works because I think it does, but not going to argue with anything that helps.

I finally have the first 100 pages of Floozy & Other Stories uploaded to Lulu.com for the eventual posting on the online retailers and intend on uploading the rest Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Then I'm done with it. Well, except for formatting it for Kindle and the Nook. Sigh. New projects that I will learn from, right? Right.

Tons of snow here. Will sure be glad when spring arrives. I function better with warmth and sunlight.

Anyway, next week I will be starting the real work on Murder by the Mile. I'm hoping my subconscious has been busy writing us out of the difficulties the book posed. We'll see then.

How are things going for y'all? I hope you're reaching your goals, but if not, remember that old cliché about today being the first day of the rest of your life. As hoary as it is, it's also true. You can always start again fresh. I'm believing and acting on that myself.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

A brief commercial message

Buy my book!



We now return you to our regularly scheduled program.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Scene from a party

She had waited all evening. Waiting for the time to be right. Or a miracle. But he stood on the other side of the room. He never walked her way. And she knew he left in the morning for New York. This night was her last chance, but her last chance for what? She didn't know. She couldn't begin to hope, but she knew the perfect words she wanted to hear.

Most everyone else was dancing. Hopping up and down to a manic pop single, but the beat of her heart took all her attention as it drummed a rhythm of fear and hope.

All the way through high school and college, the time had never been right. She had been with Kent and then with Richard. He had been with Laurie, Joanne, and Jenny. But now they were both unattached. What kept this from being the time?

How long was she supposed to wait to hear those perfect words? Or had their time already passed? She knew some things got lost. People grew up. Passions faded. A fire couldn't smolder forever.

They had exchanged glances. Significent, perhaps, but nothing more. They had never been close friends, just friends of friends. They had kissed once in a gazebo in a summer rainstorm, but his cell phone had rang. Joanne was looking for him. Richard was looking for her. She ran all the way back to her cousin's house, soaked to the skin and spent the rest of the vacation suffering from a cold and hiding in her room. He tried to call her several times, but she never took his calls. They hadn't spoken since.

Another song started, more frantic than the last one, but she couldn't hear it over the slow drum in her chest.

Somehow she pulled away from the wall. Somehow she took a step and then another. Four steps, and she reached in the middle of the room. If this had been a movie, he would have met her halfway, but it wasn't. Among the dancers she was alone.

The next step was the hardest. But the rest were easy. She reached him, put out her hand, touched his shoulder.

He turned, his ready smile fading as he saw her.

She couldn't wait anymore. Now. Now before her courage failed her.

She pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

If it had been a movie, he would have laughed and kissed her endlessly. He would have said, "I love you," the perfect words she wanted.

But he didn't.

He looked at her for a long moment.

Too long.

Panic filled her. This wasn't a movie. This was real life, and their time had passed. She was a fool.

But then he reached out and crushed her against him.

He said, "What took you so long? I've been waiting forever."

As it turned out, those words were perfect, too.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Protecting the shoots

I was reminded a few minutes ago by an on-line acquaintance about the importance of having supportive people in your life. This particular on-line acquaintance is a great critic in an writing circle I participate in. In fact, he can point out all the shortcomings of your latest novel. Or of any published novel. He knows all, he shares all, he tears down all.

This is not to say he's wrong. He often is right. But he is unable to be right and still support a person's dream. He's only capable of finding faults. Every compliment has a "but" attached. "Your plot moves fast, but your characters aren't real." "The setting is realistic, but you put too much detail and not enough action." "Your plot doesn't make any sense, but I like the way your characters talk." Every criticism is delivered with an authority that Moses would envy.

He's never read any of my work, and I don't intend for him to do so. I've watched him criticize people out of writing. In fact, that's what happened a few minutes ago. He delivered his clever, funny, no-holds-barred critique of another writer's romance novel. Everyone jumped on the band wagon; some were quite gentle, but wolves at a feast nonetheless. She abruptly left the group.

Since I know her, I got in touch, and what I feared would happen, happened. She had decided to give up. Of course, I gave her a pep talk -- that's what I do, God help me -- but his words had taken the wind out of her sails and sank the boat as well.

Of course, it's easy to say that she didn't have what it takes to be a writer. Maybe so. We have to able to take a lot of abuse. My training is mostly from the various newspapers I worked at, and I got used to abrupt editors. We were always under a deadline, and sometimes -- and this is wrong, I realized years later -- there wasn't time to be polite. Anyway, I developed a thicker skin than most. I also have a lot of faith in me. So I survive drubbings intact for the most part.

Here's the thing: Supportive can be more important than critical. It's almost much rarer. You can find critical people everywhere, but finding supportive people is much harder.

What I find most interesting is that he hasn't ever written a book. Oh, he talks about one all the time, but he tears it apart as soon as he writes. In his quest for perfection, he never completes anything. Or maybe that's just his excuse. Maybe he lacks the strength to stick it out, to put your words out to a hostile -- or worse -- indifferent world. Takes a lot of faith to do that.

Maybe he lacks faith. Maybe she does, too. I don't know.

I do know that dreams are fragile. They need faith and nourishment at first. They can be stronger than the greatest armies, but they need time to grow.

Some people, though, pull up the tender shoots with the weeds. And that's simply and totally wrong.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

More snow ... sigh ...

More dang snow. How is this even possible? I suspect an evil scientist is behind it all. Or a cold-loving wizard.

Sigh.

Well, we needed the moisture. Would rather have had it in rain, but if snow it is, then snow it will be. The previous sentence made no sense. Not even to me.

So ... the cold and I continue to battle. Can't tell if I'm gaining ground or not, but I think I'm not losing any. That's good.

Anyway, time to sign off. Hope you're safe and warm. Talk to you tomorrow.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

War!

I've thrown everything I can think of against this cold. I've used Theraflu hot drinks, I've used Vitamin C, I've used Vitamin B12 and D, I've used orange juice, I've used Airborne, I've used ZiCam, I've drank hot soup, I've drank gallons of water, I've slept as much as humanly possible, I've used a deep heating chest rub, I've used a vapor plug-in ... but still the war wages one. This cold is one mean monster.

So there's nothing to do except continue to battle it with everything I've got. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

And now I'm going to collapse. Talk to you tomorrow.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

The party's over

It's time for the snow to go. The party's over. Pick up your ice crystals and head on down the road. Maybe visit Florida. Or South America. They don't get a lot of snow. They would be delighted -- DELIGHTED -- to see you. Out you go. Bye. Don't let the door hit you on your clouds on the way out.

Sigh.

Watched the weather tonight. More snow is coming next week. Why? WHY?

Sigh.

And my cold is getting worse. My throat is very sore now. Achy all over. Tired and restless.

Sigh.

Okay, enough whining. What is, is. No use crying over falling snow.

Have got more done on Floozy and MBTM. Family newsletter for January is ready to mail, but the mailman hasn't made it to my house for two days. Still, it's ready. Dusted the house today. Did more laundry. Cleaned kitchen well. Despite illness, I'm getting things done.

And now time for bed. Have a great day tomorrow. Yes, we will. Really.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Snow, baby, snow

The forecasters have it right. We got snow, baby, snow. Ice, too, with a bit of sleet and thunder thrown in to leaven the mix. My electricity has stayed on so far, although my cable has experienced a few hiccups.

Driving today is just not possible. My street is a solid sheet of ice. No sun, and the temps aren't expected to go above freezing until Saturday. Yikes.

Well, I'm okay. Got power, got food, also got a cold. Or the same cold is coming back. Trying to take plenty of Vitamin C and fluids. Hoping to keep it from becoming anything more severe.

Did lots of stuff today, though. Laundry, house cleaning, Floozy and MBTM. A good day despite the sore throat and body aches.

Anyway, that's it for tonight. Talk to you tomorrow.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Blizzard

A record-breaking blizzard is hitting my state now. I may lose power and thus my Net access. Don't worry if I miss a day or two here. I got food, a generator, lots of batteries, full tank of gas in my car, water, etc. I'm as ready as I will ever be -- to move somewhere warmer! This is ridiculous!

I hate winter.

Hope you're safe and warm. Talk to you tomorrow. I hope.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Sunday happenings

Had a fairly good day today. Feeling much better healthwise. Got a few things done, including 75 percent of the monthly family newsletter. Yes, it's January's issue, but I might even be able to mail it tomorrow, which is still in January!

Still wrestling with the Floozy revision, but have promised myself to finish it this week. I need it done so that I can concentrate on Murder by the Mile.

Had a minor emotional setback this afternoon. Don't think I should talk about it or even want to. Life is painful sometimes. Comes with being alive, I guess.

Anyway, it's late so I'm out of here. Have a great night.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

You can prevent AADS

By Stephen B. Bagley

I’ve been accused of not paying attention more than once in my life. By teachers, parents, siblings, girlfriends, friends who are girls, just plain friends, etc., who say I’m the poster child for Adult Attention Deficit Syndrome. I think it’s time to explain this once and for all: If I’m not paying attention, it’s because you’re not being interesting. If you’d step up your game, I’d be with you more.

Oh, all right, possibly a tiny part of the blame rests with me as it is well-known that I have the boredom threshold of a gnat on triple espresso. This started back in elementary school. We’d get our new textbooks, and while the teacher droned and droned on about something uninteresting like fire safety or the cafeteria meal plans or what to do in the event of nuclear attack, I’d be reading the entire book. I did this with every textbook (except math because it’s evil) and so when the teacher would cover the book during the school year –- taking a whole week per chapter –- I was bored out of my ever loving mind.

One of the worse things to happen in those classes was when she’d make one of my classmates stand and read aloud. Many were excellent readers, but there were always those poor souls who stumbled over every word and would take the whole hour to read a page. At first, you rooted for them, mentally urging them on, and agonizing over their every misstep. But eventually you found yourself groaning when the teacher called on them. Then it became obvious that the teacher – under the guise of helping a slow student – was actually tormenting said student and the fact she was also tormenting the rest of the class was just a happy bonus.

Today I can’t hear someone read aloud without flashing back to Mrs. Butcher’s third grade class where I actually made myself throw up by sticking a pencil down my throat to escape a particularly boring reading session. (By the way, this worked, although I don’t recommend it except in emergencies such as staff meetings and weddings. Sorry, Mrs. Butcher, but now you know the truth. Well, since you don’t read my blog, and it’s unlikely anyone will tell you about it, never mind.)

School was filled with moments like that. I endured boring classes that gave me a real perception of eternity. Of course, school also gave me moments of bone-chilling terror as the school bullies attempted to insert my soft body into a hard locker, a rather painful geometry problem they never solved to my satisfaction. (And people wonder why I don’t attend class reunions without being armed. And legged, too. No, I don’t know what “legged” means, either, but it amuses me, and I think we’re all agreed that keeping me amused is safer for everyone. At least my neighbors believe this.)

At least my need to escape boredom led me to many interesting things: books, girls, chemistry, girls, rockets, girls, explosives you can make in your bathtub, girls, cleaners that will remove black and green rings from your tub, girls, plumbing problems caused by cleaners and explosives mixing in uncontrolled conditions, and, of course, theoretical dark matter physics. Oh, girls, too.

Anyway, I think you will find it’s easy to keep my attention if you’ll discuss something interesting (like, for instance, my greatness) or give me things (like cash or negotiable stocks and/or bonds; I’m not picky). Once you do this, you will have my undivided attention unless I see something shiny or heard an unexpected noise or ... Look, it’s a squirrel!

Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Bagley. No copying without express written permission from the author and publisher. Excerpted from Return of the Floozy.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Look up!

Thought I'd share today's sky with you.

The Winter of Our Discontent

I've always loved the title of John Steinbeck's last novel published while he was alive. The Winter of Our Discontent. The tile comes from a line from Richard III by William Shakespeare: "Now is the winter of our discontent discontent made glorious summer by this son of York."

I read the novel years ago. Came away from it depressed. Not a book that I ever want to read again, but I do love the title.

Particularly these days.

I started 2011 with such high goals and hopes. Instead I got sick right off and lost nearly three weeks to the flu. Since then I've floundered. Still not over the effects of my illness, I'm tired all the time. The days are gray and long. I watch too much TV and read as many books as I can. Escapism in its purest form. I meander from one project to another, not making true progress on any of them. Too much of this could bring me down to the point that I couldn't make my way back up.

However, this week has been better. I was able to walk at the gym Monday and today and hope to walk tomorrow. I've slowly cleared my desk of my bills and sorted out my budget. I'm in the muddle of Murder by the Acre, but have faith my subconscious is working furiously to write our way out. The job situation is unchanged, but I know -- I KNOW -- that each rejection is one step closer to a job. Or self employment. (Or starvation. Except I won't starve. I'll move with one of my friends and leech off them. Don't tell them.)

And today the sun gave us a wonderful taste of spring. Not that winter is done with us yet -- there's an Arctic blast heading our way and should hit Monday -- but I appreciate the sunshine now.

I guess the weather is as good a metaphor for the creative life as any. Sometimes the skies are bright and the words flow and the projects sing, and other times you have to stumble away through the fog and survive the storms. It's not easy, and we lose our way occasionally. I do know, however, that if we keep on working at it, if we continue to pursue our artistic vision, eventually we will step out into the sunshine again. Or is that too hokey?

I don't think so. I like it. It works for me. What works for you?

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Weary Wednesday

Slept very poorly last night. That made me tired all day. Had bad dreams. I have horrific dreams at times. Have my entire life, even when I was a child. Had one at 4 a.m. that was so bad that it made me wake completely up and turn the lights on. I read my Bible for a while. That always calms me. Finally got back to sleep a little after 5:30.

Had to go to WalMart today to pick up my diabetes meds. Stood in line at the pharmacy for 47 minutes! Ordinarily you have to wait 20 or so, but that seemed excessive. Several people in line with me started complaining loudly. I don't see that the complaining did much other than ruin the desk clerk's day.

Also got up some cup hooks in my kitchen so I could hang my Floozy coffee cups. They are beautiful cups, and they brightened up the area around my sink. I'll try to post a pic of them tomorrow.

Watched several episodes of NCIS today from previous seasons. I really like the show. They do a good job with it. Love the lab girl Abby. She's awesome! And cute.

Time to hit the bed. Well, will more likely just lie down on it. Anyway, good night.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Health update

Roomie isn't much better today. Not that I really expected him to bounce back that quickly from the flu, but it would have been nice. He sure doesn't feel well.

I spent the day cleaning house, working on Murder by the Mile, and taking care of my roomie when I could do something for him. Mostly he's sleeping. It's weird that he's ill. Ordinarily I'm the one struck down. I'm hopeful I will avoid it this time. Taking lots of Vitamin C and drinking lots of water and trying to stay healthy.

I meant to go walk today, but my stomach has been bothering me for the past couple of days so I couldn't. I'm hoping it's something I ate and not an IBD flare.

Apparently the weather is going to improve and give us a taste of spring -- right before it hits us with the season's coldest temps so far. The weather is mean. Well, I will enjoy the warmer weather what it lasts, that's for sure.

And now it's time for bed. I'm tired. Been a long day, it feels like.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Quarantine!

My roomie went to the doctor today. Turns out he has the flu. Yikes! He's sleeping in his room. I've been disinfecting the entire house. I so don't want to catch it.

I went to the gym to walk today. First time since I got sick on New Year's Eve. Man, I have lost a lot. Could barely do a mile, but I recovered fairly quickly the next day. Hoping tomorrow will be easier. Also, hoping I don't get the flu.

Today for dinner, I made a quick minestrone soup and jazzed it up with some canned veggies, garlic, and other seasonings. It was very good.

And that's my day. Talk to you tomorrow.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.comBuy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Sunday sunshine

The sun shone today! Yes, we had sun. Beautiful sun. It didn't last as long as I would have liked, but it was there. It still exists. It will return again.

Not much to tell you about today. Church, worked on Murder by the Mile -- Did I say it was coming out in April? Silly me -- and generally puttered around the house. My roomie is not feeling ill, and he slept all evening. I hope he gets better, and I hope I don't get what he has.

For lunch, I baked some chicken breasts with garlic and chives and steamed broccoli and corn. It was very good. I have two breast left over. I'm going to have them for lunch tomorrow.

Watched a little TV and then worked some more on MBTM. That was my day. How was yours?

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Saturday in the park

Except I'm not in the park because it's cold. I hate winter. Other than Christmas, it has nothing. NOTHING!

I miss sunlight. I miss the long days of summer. The glorious heat that warms my bones. The green of the trees and grasses. Flowers. Veggies in season and not from a hothouse.

Well, it will come again. Eventually.

The days are getting longer now since we passed the midpoint. So ... someday ... I'll be complaining about the heat.

How are you doing? Like the cold? You do? Well, I'm sure you have other good qualities. I guess.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Headache

Woke up with a headache. Thought it might be my blood sugar, but that's okay. Not great, but not bad enough to trigger a blood sugar headache. The headache has lingered all day. I'm going to lie down in a darkened room and hope it goes away.

Hope your day is headache free.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com

Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com