Fort Phoenix - an Older Memorial

This is the stone walkway alongside the fort that led beneath the dike/retainer wall or harbor wall. This is what lead us to the view of the next picture. It's really beautiful and WOW, are there a lot of rocks. Hard to believe that the ocean could breach such a sturdy fortification.





The second picture is a pier that we saw belonging to a really fancy schmancy house.






What interested ME were the HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS of Hermit Crabs that were swimming and communing with the mating horseshoe crabs. I thought they were moving rocks at one point. I mean, I'd never seen so many in one place.


It was the coolest thing and the water was so clear!


Obviously, clear water doesn't mean "safe" water. One of the locals said that the water reclaimation project was meeting success. I guess a few years ago, we wouldn't have been able to see the hermit crabs or horseshoe crabs doing their thing from so far away.




What also amazed me were the people fishing! Young and old, male and female ... they were catching and releasing and having a rousing good time! PCB not withstanding.

Fort Phoenix as seen from the walkway ... or dike that blocked part of the harbor/bay.















The famous placque markers

Nothing like standing in a place where history happened, is there?

What's the most historic place you've ever stood near???

Beauty on the Weekend

The sights that we marveled at this past weekend weren't restricted to those of man. Nature played a hand in making this past Memorial Day memorable too.

Flag at Fort Phoenix

The Bay by the Fort heading towards sunset

The Swan family. The little gray blob in the middle is their baby ...

fluffy and cute

Oh Yeah, the signs of spring heading into summer. The Mating Season of the Horseshoe Crab occurs this time of year.

Amazingly enough, even when the water recedes, they don't ... um..disengage and head back to water. They will stay "connected" for days. No matter what.

Now THAT's dedication to propagation! *giggle*

Tomorrow - the Fort

I'm back from the U.S.S. Massachusetts!

Thanks EVERYONE who did me the honor of wishing me and mine a Happy Anniversary. It was a relaxing day with cards exchanged, gushy sentiments that grossed out the kids and a tasty cake to sweeten the event. ;-)

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Memorial Day became more than just a day to me this weekend.

I was away for a few days to celebrate Memorial Day by revisiting Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. We toured once again the U.S.S. Massachusetts. This time however, we were also able to take in the attack submarine, U.S.S. Lionfish and the Soviet-built Missile Corvette Hiddensee.

However, I have come back with more than pictorial memories on this trip.

I am compelled to share this experience with you, my wonderful visitors.

I didn't get his name.

I didn't seek him out.

But he shared with me, a total stranger, a bit of history.

Me and my family were walking around the memorial section of the battleship when I noticed a man facing the wall that listed the names of men associated with the U.S.S. Massachusetts.

I could tell that it meant something to him; what - I wasn't sure. He turned and made a few comments and then, you know .... you can tell when someone wants or needs an ear.

I ended up being that ear.

He told me that he was a tail gunner in Vietnam. Flew over 270 missions.

He talked about the politics of the time and how there are similarities in the current war situation in Iraq. Scary thought.

It amazed me that he was hale and hearty - a survior, a veteran. BUT, he lost buddies. He killed in the line of duty and I could see, he wasn't comfortable with that memory. Even decades later, it still haunted him.

You know the old adages you hear, "It's war, it's kill or be killed. Us or them." Basically, that is unacceptable. He certainly didn't accept those platitudes from me. They don't make it better, or comfortable or right. Those words don't embrace the emotions that still occur all the while doing what they're trained and ordered to do.

He came from California but three times a year, he comes out to Mass. He said that his first marriage didn't survive Vietnam. But he is one of the lucky ones. He's kept in touch with his first wife and she's happily remarried. He too is happy in a marriage of 18 years that is still is going strong with his second wife.

I was so happy to hear that this veteran found happiness and acceptance. My hope is that it helps to balance out the ghosts that still haunt him from a period of time that he sacrificed for our country.

His being there and willing to share his viewpoints and memories of that time, truly made Memorial Day more real for me. He has my greatest respect. Indeed, all military personnel past and present have it.

He made history personal, a face to the story. He gave me the honor of sharing a glimpse into his past while I looked into his eyes as he took that journey in front of me.

No book, documentary or news reports can ever capture that - being with and getting the eyewitness account of someone who was there.

And yet, I will never know his name.

***********************************************************************************

The Top of the U.S.S. Massachusetts

The second Picture is the BRIG. Want to know what I noticed about that room? There is NO toilet! Did they use chamber pots? There are no port holes, no holes in the floor. I was left bemused.

Does anyone know the answer to this?

Two men to a Brig. There's not even a sink in there!

Picture #3 -

The emblem on the side of the Sub. NO I didn't have to lean too far over to get it. *gg*

Look! Look! I swear, there was only 15 inches of room between the bottom of the bunk and those pipes. I can only hope those pipes had wires going through them and not hot stuff. Oh, and the bunk is right over a HUGE torpedo!!!!

WWII submarines were excruciatingly tight, small, cramped and primitive. I mean, Look at this doorway. It's only about four feet high! I won't even tell you how many times I bumped my knees, LOL

Believe it or not, my head never got bumped once. Go figure. ;-)

Sooooo,

Again, respect those that served because it HAD to have been hell!

So, that's part one of my pictorial Memorial Day Weekend.

Blogger hates Animated graphics

Every time I post any kind of animation, no matter how miniscule, it causes my Internet Explorer to crash. I have to DEBUG and shut down. The ONLY reason you see these beauties is because I hit save before they finished their explosion. It took three tries to even be able to type what I'm typing right now.

You see, I ONLY DOWNLOADED THE ONE PICTURE !! and this is the result. (Ka-Boom!)

Although, for today's post, it's kind of appropriate as I'm tootin' my own horn.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND MINE. :-)
(22yrs)

It seems like each individual flash gets its own picture, yet they all are sparkling. What's up with that?

Has this happened to anyone else?

***********************************************************

BTW - Happy Memorial Day to all, espeically those that Have served, Are serving or Will serve.

America wouldn't be what she is today if it weren't for your dedication and sacrifice - past and present.

HUGS, whereever you are.

Sunny and Share

Sing with me.

I GOT YOU, BABE!

LOL

This is also a great lead in to follow up on the "Bite My Tongue" post.

The police ID'd the thief!

Seems finger prints DO work! ( I never doubted it, just doubted the possibility of the "perfect" print)

Turns out, the thief is well known. He strikes like a de-fanged cobra - in and out quick and never hits the same place twice. I guess there's a bonanza of targets out there. Anyway, he gets caught, serves a few years, gets out and does it all over again.

I actually feel bad for the guy. I mean, what kind of life is that? That isn't living. But he's made his choices and after ten years, I don't think it's going to change.

I wonder what happened to put him in such a cycle of crime?

The good thing, if you could call it that, is he's a non-violent offender. He doesn't like confrontation. Which makes sense if you remember how I said he was frazzled when the witness came upon him unexpectedly.

All in all ... as Inspecter Clouseau would say, " The case ... is .. Sol-ved." *grin*

It 84 degrees today! What a nice change and LOW humidity. That's always a bonus.

Pssst.

Guess what?

Tomorrow is my 22nd wedding anniversary! Where did the time go?

AND this is my 424th post! Who knew I could blab so much?

I think it's time to celebrate, don't you?

By request

.... Another Paranormal book to talk about.

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris.

I still remember when I initially picked up the first Sookie Stackhouse book.

It was discounted because it was a first book by an author I'd never heard of and was priced to move, and move it did into my eager little hands. It was the first time I'd ever heard of a diner's waitress being a heroine in a paranormal.

How novel.

A lot of biting and lovin' and politics has played out since that first story until we come to this latest adventure.

I have to say, I'm excited. What happens in this book is Big.

Big enough to actually put Charlaine in a postition to take this series in many different directions. Any way and any time she wants. What a power play! With a move like this, it keeps things fresh. Even Anita Blake hasn't experienced a shake-up this profound in the base of her story.

I recommend reading this latest. Quinn is back and I like him, bald head and all. I really hope that things work out with Sookie and him... but you know...there's always a glitch on the path to true love.

Is his name ERIC??

I still like Alcide ...but he's not here. Bill is out-out-out. What a schmuck.

And ..and... oh I have to stop. I want so badly to talk spoilers but this book is newly out so I shouldn't .

If you are worried that paying a hardcover price may not be worth it, try your library. Just read it as soon as you get the chance. I read it as soon as I got it and stayed up unti 1:15AM until I was done.

Then I just sat there and communed with the word, "WOW".

Unlike with my earlier post about Dimali and L.A.Banks, Charlain's Sookie just has me clamoring for more NOW and I'm experiencing serious angst that I have to wait so long to find out what happens next.

Oh! and the Title?

Once you read the book, it reads like a naughty pun ... darkly funny and quite appropriate. IMHO
What book have you read lately that has you itchin' to read the next installment, like, yesterday???

Are Women more Naughty in the 21st Century?

Of course, someone is going to lambast me for even using the word "naughty", like it's a bad thing instead of something positive.

When did that change anyway?

Why am I even bringing this subject up? It goes hand in hand with the romance genre that I'm so fond of.

Sex.

Women and Sex.

Women and Sex and Men's perception of what they want from us.

Women and Sex and REALITY

HELLOO!

I was visiting a site that I like to read every now and again to get the pulse of men's perception's about us women.

Lo!

There's a lovely report about Elle MacPherson claiming that she likes sex for the sake of sex ... no emotional commitments or baggage.

The term that was quoted was "joyous spontaneity".

Euphamistically pretty, isn't it?

What have the guys said on the blog in response?

I'll paraphrase .... no wait... this is too good to dilute

I'm going to try a short cut to the Blog CLICK HERE

Honestly - this attitude can have an impact on the romance genre if it gets explored with conscious effort. What I mean is; we enjoy the emotional connection that happens between hero and heroine. It's part of the dynamic of what we call the HEA - Happily Ever After.

What will happen if we start reading more in line with Elle's position?

Is that romance?

Can we be satisfied with that?

How do YOU feel?

Do you know what surprises me the most about the few comments from men that I read?

They're not thrilled with this new reality.

Really?

Really.

Check out the link and come back and tell me what YOU think.

Wicked - Fun or Nightmare?

Last night I finished reading Wicked by L. A. Banks.

Is anyone else into this series?

How did you first get hooked if you are?

Me? I found Minion at a library book sale and I've been reading L A Banks ever since.

Is it easy reading for you?

Not me. I actually have to gird my loins to read these books. They are intense not just from the violence standpoint, but religious beliefs too. The concept of Heaven fighting Hell has been around since ... well, the Bible - before it was written.

But L.A. Banks kicks it up a notch by mixing it with the current fashion wave of vampires, werewolves and demons - all bad. Well, like with anything, there are exceptions - like Saul becoming Paul.

This is not a series that you can just jump right in and read any book at any time. You have to read them in order because this is a journey in progress.

I can't even classify this as a romance story. Oh, sure there is romance between Dimali and Carlos - we've been rooting for them for the past five books. In the last book (Damned), they finally, FINALLY get married but as you've read in Wicked - there's no rest for the weary and no calm HEA - the battle rages on.

Once I finished Wicked, I was hyped up, nervous and adrenaline shimmered through my viens. I couldn't go to sleep right away so I zoned out on Solataire until my eyes rolled.

Like I said, this is not a light airy series to read - but the Huntress stories are well written, the story arcs are varied within the main plot and her many characters have shown growth as we've watched them face their worst fears. And witness some incredible miracles - Banks' style.

***************************************************

Now ... please excuse me -I'm going to go watch some Scooby Doo.

Jinkies!

Love it or hate it?

Shopping for clothes.

Love it or hate it?

This is the time of year where the reckoning happens - did you splurge during the winter and pack on the hibernating insulation or did you stand firm against all the festive feasts?

Me?

I enjoyed the egg nogs, oreos, lasagnas and birthday cakes. I am well insulated, thank you.

Unfortunately, it also drove me to the stores where I had to face the truth. Fitting room mirrors don't allow me to rationalize the extra cookie showing up on my hips or the new jiggle juggle that used to be steady as a rock. Yep, now it's rock n' roll.
*sigh*

I tried on scores of outfits - some of which someone more nefarious than the Grinch switched the bottom half with a size larger than the top and marked hanger indicated which left me having to go back and pick out another set again and again - yep, I got burned more than twice with that scam.
I finally found a something that fit. I was shopping for FIVE hours and only found four outfits.
Think about it; five hours of traveling, gas, looking, trying on and all I got was four outfits? And a sore knee? OUCH
The average of time versus procurement, in a word, sucks.

Today however was a treat.
In 25 minutes I found six pair of shoes!!
Three white, two black and one hot fushia pink.
On sale.

Can we say "happy" ??

My answer to the question: "I hate shopping. "

Therefore, I go all gung-ho and get it ALL done in one fell swoop, if possible, never to deal or think about it for another whole year.

If I'd stuck to my resolution ( remember, I only made two?) this wouldn't have come to pass but getting old sucks too because your metabolism slows down - which compounds the problem - even though the enjoyment of food doesn't stop.

But that's a whole other issue .....

*double sigh*

Soooo, What's your vote? Yea or Nay?

Bite my tongue

I was told today to "Bite my tongue".
Why?

I have to mention some background first.

Back at work there was some excitement and not the good kind. Seems the law offices were targeted for theft. Premeditated by a brash, ballsy and arrogent thief.

He was seen by a witness so she has to give testimony, description and all that. The scariest part of it was that she was all alone and you know it could have been a lot worse for her than it ended up being. We are VERY grateful for the fact that although the criminal was ingeneous in his planning of pulling off the heist, he was inept in his people skills. He was positively frazzled when he was confronted by another person when he thought the place empty. He froze. And he had no weapon. Again, thank goodness!

The police, of course, were called. The detective came and this is when it happened.
He was dusting for finger prints - so cool -
and the fist thing I said, with a big grin, "Wow, just like on CSI!"
He turned and looked at me ( yep he was a blonde-haired cutie - -with a teenaged daughter, LOL!)
and said,
"Bite your tongue."
I got all wide eyed and of course asked, "why?"

I was then told how FAKE most of what happens on CSI is and for those in the business, it grates on their nerves. His kid LOVES CSI but he just shakes his head and walks away, he won't watch it.
Seems the very first episode he ever watched had our CSI detective heroes finding two halves of a print and just by laying them side to side, amazingly, they got a perfect match!

To a real detective, that was a "groaner" and the clincher - no more bothering with THAT show.

I offerred up the possibility to him that the half prints on the show could have come from the criminal's two different thumbs and he said "Exactly" because every finger on our two hands are all different,
No way could that have worked in real life.

How I wish I could have stayed to ask more questions, to watch and learn from a REAL detective, but alas, work and duty called.

Oh, only an expensive radio was taken. She disrupted him before the rest of his plans could have been acted out. There are other clever details of the thief's casing job, but I won't go into it here.
Suffice to say that no one was hurt, only a replaceable item was stolen and we know that this nemisis has hit law offices before.

Real life - amazing isn't it?

My Day

What a wild day it was today with all kinds of odd weather, changed plans and happy feelings.

We were under a tornado watch for about five and half hours. Nothing ended up happening and that's a good thing. OH, we had a humdinger of a storm with the full effects of wind, rain, thunder and lightening, but no loss of power or tree limbs. Lucky, lucky us.

Today started off with my not going to work as usual. Had to switch my days off as my little one had to stay home today.

Today was THE field trip of the year - going to a local zoo as an entire class.
Except they serve peanuts in all the food fed to the animals and the place is dirty. I mean, I went there two years ago and I was knocked flat for a week with an asthma attack and all the repercussions thereof. Can you imagine what affect an additional two years of animal crap and dander would have on me? Without my parental supervision to make sure he didn't go into anaphelactic shock from accidental peanut contamination, he wasn't allowed to go. I had to take the entire day off from work.

What do you think it's like to be the only child out of 25 not going pn a field trip because of food allergies??

And I have to say NO because I myself have problems there .... *wheeze/gag**

What to do to make it up to him?

First, I took him to a natural park that had gym sets and swings galore and we had swinging contests to see who could go higher, then took him to the bird zoo there and marvel at the turkeys in rut, the snow white chickens with the impressive red crowns being chased by a smaller Rhodey, a Peacock in full fan, owls that winked at him and bald eagles that were indifferent and a Red Tailed Hawk that looked like it wanted us for lunch.

Then, I took him to a quaint country store and let him buy candy while mom bought cooking herbs and a new pan scaper. Then zoomed off to Old Navy to buy a new pair of shorts and a shirt for both kids and then to Whole Foods where he fell in love with the cherries on display. At flippen NINE DOLLARS a pound, he wanted cherries - so, he got cherries - 1/2 pound, thank you. :-)

Heck, I even taught him how to pump gas - hold the handle and squeeze. LOL

We beat the T-storm home by five minutes before the sky opened up and dropped so much rain so fast, it seemed like we were shrouded in fog, yet it was only wind and rain. Very impressive display.

The day ended with the second to last Paws for Reading event and he got to read to Auggie this time, the Doberman Pinscher. Such soulful eyes that dog has.

So, that's what I did.
Do you think I made it up to him? Do you think I did OK?
Did I lessen enough the trauma of not going with his classmates?

Only time will tell.
Only time.

EDIT
Oooh ! Ooooh! I tried to download my chicken thing at Photobucket. Let's see if it will load, shall we?
*fingers crossed* or

Wow, I got Quizzed

It's been so long, I never realized I was in a quiz drought. I used to do this to myself at LEAST once a month. What happened? Quick, some one quiz me!

Your Score: Survivor

You have 73 Chance of survival

You will survive but lose many of your friends along the way, and there is a chance your infected if u hit below 65%.You will kill little to no zombies watso ever. But hey ur still here arent ya.

Link: The Zombie survival Test written by wade3911 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Test number two:

Your Score: Elasticity

You're powers are 80% Mental, 75% Emotional, and 69% Physical!

Probably the most versatile of powers, you have Elasticity! You can stretch parts of your body in all manners of ways. It's a very underestimated power. With this you can fight with amazing power, reach long distances, slip into places too small for most people, and take hits like few can. You're a benefit to anyone's super team, and perfect for nearly any occasion.

If you want someone more submissive, try any of these for sidekicks: Absorption, you can teach them how deflecting shots back at the opponents works best. Illusions, your own stretched form might help them understand how to use thier powers to greater effect with less effort. Super Senses, your multiple talents might teach them to expand their own abilities.

If you want someone your equal, try another Elastic, you'll understand and work off of each other's powers.

If you want someone more dominant, try any of these for mentors: Laser Eyes, their precision shots will hone your own extended melee skills. Size Control, their control over size will teach you to do the same with your own powers. Time Control, their understanding of when tings should occur will help you be in the right place at the right time.

Your nature and all-around skills makes it so there's really no one you should avoid.

Link: The Latent Super Power Test written by Quixotico on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Hmmm, Stretch me baby, one more time. LOL!!

Happy Mother's Day!

My SIL - wonderful woman that she is, sent this to me via email. Since I know quite a few of my readers are moms, I thought I'd share the eloquent words therein:


Mothers

If you send this to just one person, it should make it all the way around the world by Mother's Day.

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,

"It's alright honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.

And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

And for the mothers who lost their baby in that precious 9 months that they will never get to watch grow on earth but one day will be reunited with in Heaven!

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked,

"Did you see me, Mom?"

they could say,

"Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,"

and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.

And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.

And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year.

And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.

And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up.

Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.This is for you all.

For all of us.

Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

Please pass this along to all the Moms in your life.

"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know. (I just did.)

I Meow this book

Has any of my readers (thank you) gotten into the Darkyn Series by Lynn Viehl??

When I first read her book , Dark Need, I took high Umbrage to one of her religious references. That didn't stop me from reading the series however, because it grabs you and takes you along for such a thrill ride, you overlook what is, in the grand scheme of things, a personal viewpoint and a personal choice. I went on the ride to see what there was to see, and now there is

Night Lost by Lynn Viehl.

Are you ready for this question?

Gabriel Seran reminds me SO much of one of Christine Feehan's Carpathians ... can you guess which one?

Why do I get that impression? Perhaps it is the torture, the fact that they brick him in alive, facing "an eternity of suffering." When Nick finds him, it is horrible what the Brethern have done to him. Gabriel only had to endure for a little over 1/2 year but Christine Feehan's Carpathian was much longer, yet the two men share similar pain and remain strong at their core.

And Lynn, a very clever writer, gives you a hint about Nick but misleads you into thinking one thing until the end.

Nick is a delight.

If you've read it, did you know? If you did, how? What did I miss?

As for Richard - How could a character I was SO ready to dislike and write off have me now rooting for him? As of this moment, Richard needs to stay. After what he's been through, I'll wait for Phillippe to have his HEA, Richard needs his first. But .... is his new amour already introduced? Or will there be someone else?

Only Lynn knows...

The blank mind

Hear the silence.
Is it ever truly silent?
Safe in your house, windows shut, blinds down, TV off.
Is there a void of noise?

No.
Never.

The drone of a motor, working to keep your beer and milk just right.
The tiny wail of wind as it gusts through the seals you'd thought locked tight.
The click of your boiler shutting off and turning on
while water drips and pings on the spoon in your sink.

And over it all, silence blasted open and away
roars the sound of a C-5 heading into the day.

Silence no longer reigns, if it ever did.
They say to meditate, you must have a calm and empty mind
How can a mind stay blank surrounded with this din?
******************
Truly, I sat down to update my blog and realized that I had nothing to say. I always have something, don't I?

Yet, I felt empty and blank.

Therefore, I just sat and typed drivel, hoping something would appear. I thought I was surrounded by silence ... the kids gone to school, my not having to rush off to work yet- I believed myself to be mired in feelings of the unispired and undriven. Where was the inspiration?

Then I realized that although there was silence in my mind, I was surrounded by noise.
Birds; morning doves cooing, blue jays shreiking and crows ca-cawing. Listening closer I became aware of the dribble and tinkle from my fish tank, the click of my coffee maker reminding me to imbibe in a second cup of java and now the clickety-clack of my typing this nonsense.

It all started with a blank mind.

Good thing it's a temporary glitch, right?

The world of Brockmann

I am SO enmeshed in the books ( read world) of Suzanne Brockmann, it's almost scary.

I've stayed up until 1-2 and 3 in the morning, reading because I just couldn't stop.

This is worlds better than any SOAP opera I've ever had the pleasure of never watching.

Into the Storm

Into the Night

Flashpoint

Bodyguard

Embraced by Love

Forbidden

Breaking Point

Hawken's Heart

Hot Target

Prince Joe

Forever Blue

The Defiant Hero

I adore Sam despite all his profanity. After reading his HEA story, I figure, well, that's Sam Starrett for you.

I can tell you that I am thrilled that I discovered Suzanne's books long after everyone else.

Why?

Easy.

Because I was such a late bloomer, all the books were written , the suspense didn't have a chance to wig me out. Sam's HEA took four books to get to! Can you imagine how everyone was feeling? Like: waiting on tetherhooks, with baited breath, anticipation like the old Heinze Ketchup commercials; imagining all sorts of scenarios as to HOW Sam and Alyssa were going to get together, if ever.

Max and Gina. Oh my goodness, talk about angst. But it was so sweet. The Max is happy. Finally!

And Jones a/k/a/ Leslie a/k/a a lot of other names and Molly. That took awhile to get to as well. All my favorite people are getting their HEA's one after another because I discovered Suzanne's books long after the initial trumpets sounded, "The next one is here!".

The cutest of the bunch was Ken "Wild Card" Karmody. At first, I didn't get that he was an effective SEAL, because I'd read it out of order. I read his HEA first and I thought, HOW can he be a rough and tuff SEAL? He's so adorable and distractible and like a puppy you wanted to cuddle, pamper and say " Aww, shucks" ... but I tell you, he's a strong character , make no mistake about that. He gets the job done and is the guy you want on your side when the chips are shot down.

I'd been advised to read them in order and I can now understand why. I didn't have the luxury of obtaining them all in order but for the most part, it wasn't that much of a stumbling block.

Of course, even after saying that, I've now joined the queue. Now, I am hoping somehow that Suzanne will write an HEA for Jules. I think it's going to be a challange for her but if anyone can do it, it will be Suzanne.

For those not in the know, Jules Cassidy works for the FBI, is on Max's super team and is gay and proud of it. He has a great sense of humor, is loyal, strong and damned determined even with the odds stacked against him like on the last mission with Max and Gina. He's a great character and a wonderful asset , but it is time for him. He deserves to have his turn. I want Jules to have his HEA!

Sooner or later, it had to happen. Now I'M waiting with anticipation.

Can someone pass the Ketchup?

*wink*

I have four more books in the early SEAL series that I'll be ordering this week. I simply HAVE TO KNOW about everyone, including Frisco. He was a guy that needed an HEA.

And the coolest part is that this obsession all started the week of school vacation when I stopped by my friend's UBS and she recommended Prince Joe and Forever Blue to start with. No ... No... that wasn't the coolest. The part I refer to is the fact that quite a few of the books I bought from her are SIGNED by

Lady B herself! Yep, Suzanne Brockmann.

What a treat!

Turns out my friend knows and has met Suzanne for real!

Talk about a small world...

Think about what I just wrote. All these books have been read AFTER school vacation in mid April and it's only May 7th.

Have I been a reading fiend or what?

*************************

Off Brockmann>>>

OH! LOL

I also read a New To Me author

Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels

I just started

The Chick and the Dead , but that's on hiatus until I've read the last of the Brockmann books I 've got.

I also read

Insufficient Mating Material by Rowena Cherry.

I just picked up to add to my TBR pile:

Night Lost by Lynn Viehl

The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister

and last but not least

Beneath the Skin by Savannah Russe

Oh yea, reading is my hobby, my passion and obsession.

Can you hear the dust bunnies cheering?

Back to Brockmann.....

Do you know what else there is to talk about regarding Suzanne?

Her writing style.

I'm not a flashback fan. Not at all.

Suzanne got me.

She wrote a book that was pure genius!

It was a story within a story - using the reading of a published book, the story telling of the heroine's Grandmother during WWII and the role she played against the Nazis - read by the main character's of the story at certain points which tied all the scenes together.

It was friggin brilliant!

Suzanne wrote it so well, I couldn't help but read the flashbacks! She's the only one I've actually read without being tempted to skip and skim over them.

No wonder people sing her praises.

Now I'm one too.

Thanks Suzanne!

Anyone else want to share their favorite Brockmann Character with me?

TAG! Your It!!!

Observations Around the Neighborhood

Cats who chase birds, don't look both ways before tearing across the road lest their prey gets away.

I am SO glad I was over 500 feet away and was in no danger of interrupting the hunt.

What a sight! LOL

{Psst,the bird got away :-) }

I observed myself scaring the crap out of a robin.

I had just stepped away from my back door when a robin decided to fly around the corner of the house at mach one speed, narrowly missing me. With a robin's birdspeak of "SQUEAK!", he backflapped , spun and turned on a dime to fly off in the other direction. Quite an impressive bit of flying!

I observed my land waking up from its winter slumber and colorfully shouting for JOY!

My first 2007 Tulip

These are my HENS AND CHICKS on the rocks. LOL

AND THE LAST AND FINAL PROOF THAT BEINGS ARE CELEBRATING SPRING!!!!

Yep, can't mistake THIS spring time activity.

*giggle*