Last week as I was driving down to Wallyworld, I listened to a couple radio announcers bantering back and forth about Amazon Prime. The guy was saying how he'd signed up for Prime under their '30 days Free' campaign and then, because he didn't cancel before the 30 days were up, he got charged $120 for the whole year. And now he can't cancel because he can't remember his password.
The gal was telling him all the awesome things he could do with his Prime account. None of which, he assured her, he would ever actually use. Free two-day shipping, which was the reason he signed up in the first place, was pointless for him. He told her he doesn't spend $120 a year on shipping for Amazon, so it wasn't worth it. And he rarely ever needs anything inside of 2 days.
Why he ever signed up for it in the first place? I missed that part. And I'm not sure what the resolution ended up being because I got bored and changed the station.
Today is Amazon Prime day. Apparently, if you're paying for Prime (or sign up for their free 30 days promotion right now), today you'll have access to all kinds of discounts and sales and special offers. I'm with the radio dude. I have no use for it. Right now, I have everything I want or need, so even browsing their sales and what have ya wouldn't do me any good.
I heard other stores are also supposed to be having sales extravaganzas today, so check your favorites and see what they have. You might find some deals elsewhere without a Prime membership. If you're into that thing.
I used to be. Believe me. I'd see a sale and I was SO there. Even if I didn't need what was being sold. Even if I didn't really have the money. (That's what credit cards were for, doncha know.) I reined all that in years ago. Now, if I don't need it, I don't get it. And if I don't have the money, I don't get it even if I think I need it. Which is probably why I'm driving a 2003 Cavalier.
Okay, I have to admit, I'm still pretty sale-driven when it comes to food. I probably didn't really need that packet of single serve coffee things, but it was marked down 20% in the clearance area, and I do love me some flavored coffee. Hazelnut. Yum.
Hello. My name is B.E. and I have a shopping problem. It's been years since my last binge shopping trip...
Which is why I'm avoiding shopping today. So, if you're a Prime member, have at it. If you're not and you want to still catch the sales, sign up for the 30-day thing - just remember to cancel unless you want to be billed like that radio dude. I heard today is supposed to be the biggest shopping day next to Black Friday. I'll be here, sitting in my cabin.
Speaking of sales, what's the best deal you ever got on anything? I found this awesome dress once for $3. It looked like nothing on the hanger, but when I put it on, I was a goddess. I loved that dress.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Sunday Update - Week 27
Hey All. My eyes are full of grit and I'm kind of brain fried. And the coffee is working its magic sloooow this morning. But here we are...
After a few days of marathon editing, the end is in sight. As of the time of this posting, I have 5 pages of edit notes spanning the last 72 manuscript pages left to go. Considering I wound up with 19 pages of edit notes, I'm gonna say it's a definite possibility I will be finished by tonight. I don't think there's anything major left to do. Could be wrong. Like I said, I'm brain fried.
In other news, the paperback copies of Up Wish Creek arrived. I was going to set up a Goodreads contest, but I discovered I never set up a paperback page for that book. That has to be done first and right now, it's on a back burner. Monday, I'll do that and set one up for Natural Causes. Then I'll set up a contest for UWC. Once the NC copies arrive, there'll be a contest for one of those, too.
Speaking of contests, Deb Salisbury will have a copy of Blood Flow headed her way once she confirms her address via besanderson at gmail dot com. It's a copy with the original cover, which I still think is totally cool. I just had to change it to match the ebook cover, which I changed to be more 'in line' with what readers are expecting to see on a political suspense cover these days. Anyway, congratulations Deb!
I didn't do any reading last week because of the looming deadline thing. I fully expect to be reading tomorrow. First up, Silver James' latest Harlequin - Claiming the Cowgirl's Baby.
I managed one good morning of fishing.
And lastly, not but leastly, we saw the first fawn of the year last Sunday. Since then, we've seen two others - twins. Here's the single:
That's not the back of her mother, btw. Mom's off to the right. That's her older sister - a 2016 model.
Well, that's it for me this week. Whazzup with you?
After a few days of marathon editing, the end is in sight. As of the time of this posting, I have 5 pages of edit notes spanning the last 72 manuscript pages left to go. Considering I wound up with 19 pages of edit notes, I'm gonna say it's a definite possibility I will be finished by tonight. I don't think there's anything major left to do. Could be wrong. Like I said, I'm brain fried.
In other news, the paperback copies of Up Wish Creek arrived. I was going to set up a Goodreads contest, but I discovered I never set up a paperback page for that book. That has to be done first and right now, it's on a back burner. Monday, I'll do that and set one up for Natural Causes. Then I'll set up a contest for UWC. Once the NC copies arrive, there'll be a contest for one of those, too.
Speaking of contests, Deb Salisbury will have a copy of Blood Flow headed her way once she confirms her address via besanderson at gmail dot com. It's a copy with the original cover, which I still think is totally cool. I just had to change it to match the ebook cover, which I changed to be more 'in line' with what readers are expecting to see on a political suspense cover these days. Anyway, congratulations Deb!
 |
| New Cover |
 |
| Original Cover |
I didn't do any reading last week because of the looming deadline thing. I fully expect to be reading tomorrow. First up, Silver James' latest Harlequin - Claiming the Cowgirl's Baby.
I managed one good morning of fishing.
And lastly, not but leastly, we saw the first fawn of the year last Sunday. Since then, we've seen two others - twins. Here's the single:
Well, that's it for me this week. Whazzup with you?
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Saturday Fishing Report - 7/8/17
Welcome to the Saturday Fishing Report.
Well, it was another hot and wet week in the Ozarks. The spawn is over and the lake level is holding steady at about 920-921ft.
I really only got one good day fishing. I went out twice, but the first time was a bust and I didn't even get the rods out of the car. I went out Monday. The park was open, but it was packed, and I was too chicken to try any other places for fear they were also packed with holiday weekenders. Plus, I got a late start, so going anywhere else would've put me that much more past the time of good morning fishing.
Then I went to the park on Thursday morning. It was about 50% less packed than Monday. I tried a couple spots on the creek side. Got a few bites, but those were worm-stealing panfish. Then I went over to the lake side, where all the campers were. I found a camper-free spot in a cove, parked the car, and fished from the parking spot. Sat right on my car. It was kind of awesome. Caught three little punkinseeds and one 12.5" smallmouth. I also managed to attract what felt like every kid in the park. They'd ask 'did you catch anything?' as they walked or rode their bikes past me. Sometimes they stopped for longer conversation periods. When several of them stopped after I'd put the smallmouth back, I told them about it. One boy who seemed about 10 years old informed me that largemouth only have to be 8" to keep. I set him straight - nicely, of course. All bass have to be 15" on this lake. No exceptions. He looked embarrassed and a little shocked. Poor kid. Some adult somewhere must've steered him wrong.
Which brings me around to an important point. Kids look to the adults for guidance in anything. In this case, the legality of keeping the fish they just caught. He didn't just pull the number 8 out of the sky. Somehow or other, he learned from someone that was the size of a keeper largemouth. Shame on them. Shame on them if they steered him wrong and shame on them if they told him 8" was okay because they were ignorant of the fishing laws in this area. (I don't think 8" is a keeper bass in any area, but I could be wrong. Except rock bass, maybe, and those aren't really bass anyway.) And shame on them if they allowed him to keep a too small fish because they didn't want him to feel bad about throwing it back. Before you go fishing in a strange area, learn the rules. Teach kids the rules. And obey the rules in front of children, so they learn to be upstanding fishermen, too.
Well, that's it for me today. Have a great week and spend some time outdoors if you can. Also, take a kid fishing if you can. Kids and fishing go great together.
Well, it was another hot and wet week in the Ozarks. The spawn is over and the lake level is holding steady at about 920-921ft.
I really only got one good day fishing. I went out twice, but the first time was a bust and I didn't even get the rods out of the car. I went out Monday. The park was open, but it was packed, and I was too chicken to try any other places for fear they were also packed with holiday weekenders. Plus, I got a late start, so going anywhere else would've put me that much more past the time of good morning fishing.
Then I went to the park on Thursday morning. It was about 50% less packed than Monday. I tried a couple spots on the creek side. Got a few bites, but those were worm-stealing panfish. Then I went over to the lake side, where all the campers were. I found a camper-free spot in a cove, parked the car, and fished from the parking spot. Sat right on my car. It was kind of awesome. Caught three little punkinseeds and one 12.5" smallmouth. I also managed to attract what felt like every kid in the park. They'd ask 'did you catch anything?' as they walked or rode their bikes past me. Sometimes they stopped for longer conversation periods. When several of them stopped after I'd put the smallmouth back, I told them about it. One boy who seemed about 10 years old informed me that largemouth only have to be 8" to keep. I set him straight - nicely, of course. All bass have to be 15" on this lake. No exceptions. He looked embarrassed and a little shocked. Poor kid. Some adult somewhere must've steered him wrong.
Which brings me around to an important point. Kids look to the adults for guidance in anything. In this case, the legality of keeping the fish they just caught. He didn't just pull the number 8 out of the sky. Somehow or other, he learned from someone that was the size of a keeper largemouth. Shame on them. Shame on them if they steered him wrong and shame on them if they told him 8" was okay because they were ignorant of the fishing laws in this area. (I don't think 8" is a keeper bass in any area, but I could be wrong. Except rock bass, maybe, and those aren't really bass anyway.) And shame on them if they allowed him to keep a too small fish because they didn't want him to feel bad about throwing it back. Before you go fishing in a strange area, learn the rules. Teach kids the rules. And obey the rules in front of children, so they learn to be upstanding fishermen, too.
Well, that's it for me today. Have a great week and spend some time outdoors if you can. Also, take a kid fishing if you can. Kids and fishing go great together.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Thursday This n That
I love it when Kira walks into a room we've just left and meows like she's been abandoned. We're in the next room, silly. Now that we're back to our regular places, she's laying on the floor next to me purring.
I spent a large chunk of yesterday making edit notes. Halfway through now and 9 pages worth of notes. To be done and entered by Sunday night. Realizing that, I started working on entering the notes last night. Two hours, two pages worth of notes finished. This weekend might be a marathon. This morning, though, I'm probably going fishing.
Yesterday was a weird day. It would pour rain for an hour and then be totally sunny for 30-45 minutes. Then it would pour again. Then sun again. Off and on, all afternoon. The sun sparkling off the raindrops on the cedar tree was beautiful, though.
I saw someone on FB this morning saying something about how someone in a hotel fitness room had snotted off to him about him showing of his 'macho-ness'. Dude was working out in a place designed for working out, for petesakes. I'm constantly amazed at the rude shit people say to perfect strangers in public. Maybe I was just raised better. :shrug:
Okay, enough of this falderal and ballyhoo. I'm off to drown some worms. What's up with you?
I spent a large chunk of yesterday making edit notes. Halfway through now and 9 pages worth of notes. To be done and entered by Sunday night. Realizing that, I started working on entering the notes last night. Two hours, two pages worth of notes finished. This weekend might be a marathon. This morning, though, I'm probably going fishing.
Yesterday was a weird day. It would pour rain for an hour and then be totally sunny for 30-45 minutes. Then it would pour again. Then sun again. Off and on, all afternoon. The sun sparkling off the raindrops on the cedar tree was beautiful, though.
I saw someone on FB this morning saying something about how someone in a hotel fitness room had snotted off to him about him showing of his 'macho-ness'. Dude was working out in a place designed for working out, for petesakes. I'm constantly amazed at the rude shit people say to perfect strangers in public. Maybe I was just raised better. :shrug:
Okay, enough of this falderal and ballyhoo. I'm off to drown some worms. What's up with you?
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Happy Independence Day
This copy of the Declaration of Independence is hanging on my office wall. All I have to do is look to the right and there it is, reminding me of our freedom every day.
Happy Independence Day. Celebrate your freedoms, today and every day.
Personally, I have work to do today, if I want any chance of getting this manuscript to my editor on time. Isn't it a wonderful thing? I'm free to write and to work and to publish my books. I'm free to work on a holiday if I choose to do so. No one's going to stop me. No one's even going to try. And that's freakin' awesome. Yay for the U.S. of A.!
What are you up to today?
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Sunday Update - Week 26
Here we are at halfway through the year. Time flies, eh?
Okay, so for the halfway week of the year, here's how it went down...
I'm motoring my way through the edit notes on the 2nd draft of Wish Hits the Fan. Oh my god, it's so bad. Well, not bad, per se. The story is still awesome. The writing? Definitely needs a lot of work before any other human sets eyes upon it. Not sure exactly where I'm at in it - since I'm working off the Kindle and I don't remember the last percent number and I'm too lazy to walk across the house - but I'm getting there. Plan is to have these notes done and input into the manuscript, so I can send this off to JC on the 9th. Still on target for a September release, good lord willin' and the creek don't rise.
I ordered copies of Up Wish Creek and they've shipped. I also have proof copies coming of the new Blood Flow cover and of the print copy of Natural Causes. Once those get approved, they'll be available for sale and I'll order copies. Why I'm doing this when I haven't sold a print copy in a long freakin' time? I'll write about that tomorrow on Outside the Box.
Not sure what's up next for actual writing. I should be finishing Early Grave, but the current social climate in America is making that an uncomfortable proposition. And I'm a coward. I mean, I should be able to write about whatever I damn well please, but the people on the other side are scary and I don't want them visiting my house. Know what I mean?
I did some fishing last week. It's getting too hot and too summer-peopley to be out for too long. If you read yesterday's Fishing Report, I did go out and I did drive by the park. It was still closed. The bait shop gal told me the opening was planned for noon. Ugh. I fished elsewhere for an hour. But the river traffic was annoying and the fish weren't biting anyway.
I've been reading stories from Masterpieces of Mystery and Suspense. It's a big anthology of short stories, so it's taking a while. I think I'm about a third of the way through. It's been a good break from longer stories and loads of fun. I read a story, wander off and do other stuff, then read another story. All without having to maintain the thread of a whole book in my head.
Well, I think that's about it. Enjoy your Independence Day holiday if you're here, enjoy Canada Day if you're up there, and otherwise, enjoy your week.
Okay, so for the halfway week of the year, here's how it went down...
I'm motoring my way through the edit notes on the 2nd draft of Wish Hits the Fan. Oh my god, it's so bad. Well, not bad, per se. The story is still awesome. The writing? Definitely needs a lot of work before any other human sets eyes upon it. Not sure exactly where I'm at in it - since I'm working off the Kindle and I don't remember the last percent number and I'm too lazy to walk across the house - but I'm getting there. Plan is to have these notes done and input into the manuscript, so I can send this off to JC on the 9th. Still on target for a September release, good lord willin' and the creek don't rise.
I ordered copies of Up Wish Creek and they've shipped. I also have proof copies coming of the new Blood Flow cover and of the print copy of Natural Causes. Once those get approved, they'll be available for sale and I'll order copies. Why I'm doing this when I haven't sold a print copy in a long freakin' time? I'll write about that tomorrow on Outside the Box.
Not sure what's up next for actual writing. I should be finishing Early Grave, but the current social climate in America is making that an uncomfortable proposition. And I'm a coward. I mean, I should be able to write about whatever I damn well please, but the people on the other side are scary and I don't want them visiting my house. Know what I mean?
I did some fishing last week. It's getting too hot and too summer-peopley to be out for too long. If you read yesterday's Fishing Report, I did go out and I did drive by the park. It was still closed. The bait shop gal told me the opening was planned for noon. Ugh. I fished elsewhere for an hour. But the river traffic was annoying and the fish weren't biting anyway.
I've been reading stories from Masterpieces of Mystery and Suspense. It's a big anthology of short stories, so it's taking a while. I think I'm about a third of the way through. It's been a good break from longer stories and loads of fun. I read a story, wander off and do other stuff, then read another story. All without having to maintain the thread of a whole book in my head.
Well, I think that's about it. Enjoy your Independence Day holiday if you're here, enjoy Canada Day if you're up there, and otherwise, enjoy your week.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Satuday Fishing Report - 7/1/17
Hey all. Welcome back to the Saturday Fishing Report.
I managed to get out to the lake three times last week. First thing in the morning because it gets up near 10am and it's too hot for the fish to bite. And for me to stand out there in the sun. Whoof.
Sunday - got out early and went to my 'main lake' spot. The water level has decreased sufficiently so that I can get back by the ledges and still be able to cast without hooking trees. The ledges are, of course, still underwater, though. Saw a lot of fish jumping but the water temp is driving the bigguns into deeper water than I can cast to and the ones that are in shallow aren't interested in worms. Did catch a nice, fat 8.5" bluegill. He's in the freezer.
Tuesday - went to my old go-to spot. The water is almost out of the parking lot now, so fishing there is a little iffy because there aren't many spots to cast past the trees. The ledges there are beginning to open up, though, so I tried that. First thing in the morning there is hard because it's full sun. Little fish stole my worms and I was getting hot, so I moved to the cove side where there was still mostly shade. Caught a 17" channel cat. Funny thing about that... I'd never caught a catfish before, so I had to call Hubs on the cellphone and ask him which parts were the ouchie parts. Once that was settled, I couldn't find a place to pop the stringer through its mouth, so I let it go. After I put it back, I thought of several ways I could've kept him. Oh well, live and learn.
Thursday - Back to the cove at the go-to spot. Got out there about quarter to eight, but the fish weren't biting. Well, fish big enough to actually get on my hook weren't biting. Little fish were hammering the hell out of my bait and stealing the worms. I did that until a little after nine and then I packed all the stuff back in the car. Then I grabbed a garbage bag and started cleaning. Some dipstick camper person had left a pile of trash in one of the old parking spots. I picked all that up. Then some other dipshits - or maybe the same one - had left fireworks trash all over the ledges. I picked all that up. Then I walked the water's edge in the parking lot and picked all that garbage up - including the top to someone's bikini. (I don't want to know.) Filled a big black plastic bag with the detritus of inconsiderate morons. I don't want to think about how trashed the parks will be after this holiday weekend because people, in general, are pigs.
In happier news, there's a rumor floating around that the park will be open starting today. Yay! I miss the park. I haven't been in there since the day before the big rain. April 28th was the last time I was in there. Of course, it'll probably be crawling with people this weekend, but I am sorely tempted. Tune in next week to see if I braved the crowds to get into my park.
Until then, have a great week and an enjoyable holiday. And I hope y'all get to spend some time outdoors.
I managed to get out to the lake three times last week. First thing in the morning because it gets up near 10am and it's too hot for the fish to bite. And for me to stand out there in the sun. Whoof.
Sunday - got out early and went to my 'main lake' spot. The water level has decreased sufficiently so that I can get back by the ledges and still be able to cast without hooking trees. The ledges are, of course, still underwater, though. Saw a lot of fish jumping but the water temp is driving the bigguns into deeper water than I can cast to and the ones that are in shallow aren't interested in worms. Did catch a nice, fat 8.5" bluegill. He's in the freezer.
Tuesday - went to my old go-to spot. The water is almost out of the parking lot now, so fishing there is a little iffy because there aren't many spots to cast past the trees. The ledges there are beginning to open up, though, so I tried that. First thing in the morning there is hard because it's full sun. Little fish stole my worms and I was getting hot, so I moved to the cove side where there was still mostly shade. Caught a 17" channel cat. Funny thing about that... I'd never caught a catfish before, so I had to call Hubs on the cellphone and ask him which parts were the ouchie parts. Once that was settled, I couldn't find a place to pop the stringer through its mouth, so I let it go. After I put it back, I thought of several ways I could've kept him. Oh well, live and learn.
Thursday - Back to the cove at the go-to spot. Got out there about quarter to eight, but the fish weren't biting. Well, fish big enough to actually get on my hook weren't biting. Little fish were hammering the hell out of my bait and stealing the worms. I did that until a little after nine and then I packed all the stuff back in the car. Then I grabbed a garbage bag and started cleaning. Some dipstick camper person had left a pile of trash in one of the old parking spots. I picked all that up. Then some other dipshits - or maybe the same one - had left fireworks trash all over the ledges. I picked all that up. Then I walked the water's edge in the parking lot and picked all that garbage up - including the top to someone's bikini. (I don't want to know.) Filled a big black plastic bag with the detritus of inconsiderate morons. I don't want to think about how trashed the parks will be after this holiday weekend because people, in general, are pigs.
In happier news, there's a rumor floating around that the park will be open starting today. Yay! I miss the park. I haven't been in there since the day before the big rain. April 28th was the last time I was in there. Of course, it'll probably be crawling with people this weekend, but I am sorely tempted. Tune in next week to see if I braved the crowds to get into my park.
Until then, have a great week and an enjoyable holiday. And I hope y'all get to spend some time outdoors.
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