Dear Mr. Ford

Today I was up before the birds, choked down a fast breakfast (prepared for me by K) and hit the road. The truck had to be in at the Ford dealer for a regular check-up. I made the trip to the city in plenty of time and arrived early at the dealer. Then I sat waiting for the service to be done.

As I sat waiting I had a feeling of doom settle over me. Soon I saw the man coming toward me with a pile of papers in his hand. “Ma’am, there’s a problem.” Saw that one coming. Somehow every time a woman takes a vehicle to a dealer there’s a problem.

“Tell me.”

“Well, when the technician tried to remove the back wheel to inspect the brakes, there was a difficulty. He forced the wheels off and found corroded parts inside, several of which had broken as he forced off the wheel.”

“And?”

“The vehicle will be kept here for a week while parts come from the USA. The bill will be just under $1000.00.”

“I have an extended warranty.”

“It expired yesterday.”

“You won’t honor that warranty?”

“No, it expired yesterday.”

Okay, so now he’s messed up my day big time, here’s where I started messing with his. “All right, young man, here’s what is going to happen. My truck was working fine when I came in. You took it apart and broke some of the pieces, now you want me to pay? Wrong. Put my vehicle back together, I am leaving.”

“Ma’am, you don’t understand, it won’t go back together. It’s broken.”

“Your problem, sonny, not mine. Put it back together now.”

“It won’t be safe to drive.”

“Apparently, none of your products are safe to drive. I may have to get the brakes fixed, but Ford is not doing the work unless you honor the warranty.”

“It expired yesterday.”

“So put my truck back together so I can take it elsewhere.”

This conversation went on for a while, but in the end, they put it back together without back brakes or an emergency brake and I left. Someone will get paid to fix those brakes, but unless Ford is willing to step up, it won’t be them.

So, folks, I leave you with this little song called Dear Mr. Ford. In my humble opinion, it says it all.

So ladies, have you ever had the service man come to you with that look on his face like he going to tell you your car has terminal cancer?

Dog Walk Meditation

How to meditate and walk dogs at the same time.

First you pull on your dog walking togs.  Sounds easy enough, except when all four canine supervisors begin to micro manage the process at the same time.  Stress, right off the bat.  By the time the boots are on and you have attached the leashes, they’re ready go.  Out the door and down the street at a brisk march to burn off last night’s ice cream and their enthusiasm. 

The march gets you breathing deeply and rhythmically, the endorphins kick in and you feel wonderful.  Soon you arrive at a dirt road leading to an expanse of open fields and forest.  You unclip the leashes and they’re off and frolicking.  You can march easily now, no one pulling you this way and that. The sun is warm on your back, the air filled with the sweet scent of wild grass and trees, and the gentle breeze off the water cools your face.  You set your mind free, focusing only on the sensations your environment provides, reveling in the oneness with the living earth, and feeding your soul from the sheer joy your canine companions take in accompanying you through this wonderland.

At length you reach the end of the path and it is time to clip the leashes back on.  They are all panting now, tired and ready for the long march home.  There is no pulling on the leash, they just trot along beside you, enjoying your company.  You keep a steady pace, matching your breathing to the rhythm of your boots on the pavement, lost in the magic of it all.

You reach home, unclip and hang up the leashes, give the dogs fresh water and a biscuit, then settle in with your coffee and computer.  Meditation is finished, you are refreshed and ready for a Wednesday ROW80 check-in.

So, on to the goals.

1.      Blog twice each week.

I’m right on track here.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

Having fun with this one as always.

3.      Write at least 4K words per week.

Already done for this week. Everything from now to Sunday is a bonus.

4.      Read at least one book every two weeks.

Finished “On Writing” by Stephen King. Loved it. This will be well dog eared before I’m finished with this career. I am now reading Quicksilver by Amanda Quick. Loving it.

I've shifted my focus back to actual writing and am having fun. Perhaps I'll post an excerpt soon of the current project. How are you folks doing? Reaching your goals? Do you take time to meditate with dogs? 

A Writer's Goals

Hi folks, I’m back, did you miss me? Tee hee My better half had a week off so I pretty much took a week off too. We don’t get to spend nearly enough time together, so when opportunity knocks I try to be at home.

I know I missed last Wednesday’s check-in and today is a day late for Sunday’s, but at least I’m here, I’m here. Let the bells ring out and the banners fly, I know it is too good to be true, but I’m here! What, no fanfare? No cheering crowds? No dancing girls?  Sigh

Ok, enough silliness. I did manage to get a bit of writing done and I have taken a hard look at my goals. I believe it is time to make them a bit more focused on writing, which is what I do after all. So, in keeping with that idea, here’s the update.

The old Goals

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

6.      Publish two or more short works, between five and twenty five thousand words.

The Updated goals.

1.      Blog twice each week.

Didn’t manage that this week. L

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

I did manage this one.

3.      Write at least 4K words per week.

I managed one K this morning. Great so far.

4.      Read at least one book every two weeks.

Reading “On Writing” by Stephen King and loving it. Hey, apparently I’m doing a lot of stuff right. Who knew?

Ok, Prudence the productive (I hope) is back in action.  See you Wednesday.

Diverse Opinions

We were in the coffee shop yesterday when I had another great chance to observe humanity in action.  A couple came in and sat at a nearby table. She was quite tiny, but he was a tall imposing man. As they sat he pulled out his phone and began to dial. As it rang he waved her toward the counter. She went; he began to bark into the phone in a loud commanding voice.

Leaning forward, this fellow gave the person on the other end a long list of instructions as though he was speaking to an inattentive child. The call was still going on as the woman returned. She set the coffee and snack in front of him and he acknowledged her with a nod as he continued to direct the person he had called. We all could easily hear him.

This fellow obviously owned a small business and, it was equally obvious that he maintained full and complete control. He finished his call and spoke to his companion. “The cell phone is a wonderful thing,” he declared loudly as he leaned across the small table. Only silence answered him. She was reading a paperback book. “Ellen, did you hear me? I said the cell phone is a wonderful thing.”

“What? Oh certainly, dear. It allows you to keep order in the universe, even when we are away. Why don’t you call the shop and make sure they got that last bit right?”

“Good Idea,” he declared as he sat back and began to dial.  I saw her smile as he once again began to direct the action from his chair in the coffee shop. She went back to her book.

A number of years ago, as we travelled to the Arctic, we met a man named Mike. After Mike did us a great favor I asked for his e-mail so we could let him know we arrived safely and so we could thank him properly. He didn’t have e-mail. I asked for a cell number, he didn’t carry one. When I asked why he replied, “It is harder to hit a moving target.” He then shook my hand and walked away.

So, tell me folks, what do you think of the debate. Do you agree with Mr. Coffeeshop, or Mike? Perhaps you are like me and your opinion lies somewhere in the middle.

Guten Morgen

Let me tell you about some of yesterday’s adventures. There was a family gathering to attend so I set out early. It was a warm sunny day, so I spent much of the boat ride outside gazing over the rails. As I stood enjoying the view, a rather large man came up the stairs. (Read ship’s ladders, a cross between a ladder and a set of stairs with handrails. This man was overweight, in his sixties at least, and he was struggling for breath. My heart went out to him.

My pity soon vanished to be replaced with delight and wonder. As he leaned heavily on the rail, a child appeared at his side, excitedly trying to engage him. Soon another appeared and then another and another then came the adults of all ages. The old fellow beamed his joy in their company, chatted easily with the children, pointed out the whales that were feeding nearby, and generally basked in the warm glow of his loving family. This was not a man to be pitied; he was a man to envy. The whole group was a delight to watch.

 Later on my partner and I went shoe shopping. (such a hardship) K needs new shoes for work, but we weren’t having any luck. One of our favorite shoe brands has shifted its production to an offshore country and the quality has dropped dramatically; its prices haven’t. Anyway, after bombing on the work shoe hunt, K got this determined look on her face. “If I can’t have descent shoes to wear at work, then I’ll damn well have something comfortable to put on when I get home.”

Can’t argue with that logic. I watched with delight as her disappointment changed to a smile of pure pleasure when she tried on a new pair of Birkenstock sandals. Those sandals came home with us, they’ll be the first thing she puts on when she gets up, and I will greet her with a bright, “Guten Morgen, mein Liebling.”

With thanks to Google for the translation.

Now on with the goals report for ROW80

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

I didn’t manage this one this time and am seriously considering cutting back on this to one post above.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

This is my favorite time suck and I love it. So many great blogs, so little time. Made this, no problem.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Got this and more.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I’m still confident this will happen.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

I’m falling down on this one. I’m not allowing myself a lot of reading time for new books. I have managed to read a couple of Amanda Quick novels, but I doubt she needs the help. Tee hee

6.      Publish two or more short works, between five and twenty five thousand words.

I have about 30K words of erotic short stories that I wrote just for fun, but my editor and I was not in agreement about how to publish these. Working on it.

Okay folks, what wonderful adventures have you had this past week? Did you reach your goals? Talk to me people, it’s lonely here without you.

Human Hive

The past few days have been sunny. Now you would suspect this to be a good thing, and it is. However, there is something about human when the first sunny days of Spring happen along. Yes, this Spring is no exception.

Sitting at my computer in my dark little work space, I suddenly found myself unable to concentrate. I felt like I was in the center of a bee hive. First the neighbor on the right came out with the ride-on lawnmower. An hour or so later the ride-on was exchanged for the push power mower to do the edges, then the gas weed wacker to finish the job. Before that was finished, the neighbor on the left came out with his ride-on mower, then the push mower, and then the weed machine, but before he was finished the guy next to him got out the ride-on and…

All right, so you get the idea. I know, I know, it has to be done. Why? I cry to the wilderness? All that grass could feed a small herd of cattle providing meat for the winter. Perhaps put in gardens that could supply enough food for the whole neighborhood. Why must we spend fortunes and pollute the atmosphere tending that inedible crop and then import food from China?

Okay, I’ve had my rant and feel better now. So, let’s get to those pesky ROW80 goals.

The Goals

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

Working on it, but struggling a bit.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

Loving this part and having no problem meeting this goal.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Already nearly doubled that and the week is young. Wheee!

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I am feeling good about this one. Something should hit the shelves later this month.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

Working on this one.

6.      Publish two or more short works, between five and twenty five thousand words.

Got some stuff in the works, but it is still in the works.

So, how did you folks do on your goals? Yes? No? Maybe you have a favorite rant to share. I’m listening so let me hear from you.

Chainsaw Angie

Ok, I admit it, I should have posted days ago; I'll confess, blogwise I’ve been slack. Sunny days can do that to me. Why, just yesterday the sunshine got to me and I blanked out. My twin sister (read alter ego) took over my body. She took off the dress and heels, hauled on a plaid shirt and jeans, grabbed a chainsaw and ran outside to play in the sun. I Prudence, am a priss and I admit it, but Angie is all redneck. Watch out for her, she’s a little crazy sometimes. Here’s her picture.

Ok, so now that I’m back in the driver’s seat, here’s the scoop on the ROW80 goals.

The Goals

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

Sadly, I didn’t manage this one. Next week will be better.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

Got this one easily.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Nailed this one.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

Still got one at the editor’s desk.

I also have four strong starts which I should finish this year if I can get my butt in gear.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

Didn’t get anywhere with this one. Started a book but gave up. Will try something different. No, I won’t tell you. I don’t do bad reviews; neither do I denigrate another author’s work. I’ll keep looking.

6.      Publish two or more short works, between five and twenty five thousand words.

I really have to get something done on this one.

Well, that’s it for me folks; time to start a new week. So tell me, how many of you have an alter ego who takes over once in a while? Come on, you can tell me; you know you want to.