Thursday, January 29, 2015

ARE DACHSHUNDS SARCASTIC?

I truly believe that if doxies were human, they WOULD be masters at sarcasm.  After all, have you ever seen that look a doxie gives a human when the doxie thinks the human is stupid??

I might add that I've experienced that look from Duke on a number of occasions!



Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

DACHSHUND SECURITY SERVICE

I've seen several "dachshund security service" posters, but I think this one is the best I've seen thus far.  Our doxies are very loyal and protective of their humans, so items such as this come out from time to time.


My doxie Duke barks at a molecule of dust floating by, the mail carrier's truck, and just about anything else he has a mind to bark about (unless he's asleep, of course).  He's also barked at other humans he thought were hurting me--like Clark helping me up from a chair after my knee surgery and I groaned at the pain.

Thankfully, he's never gotten aggressive toward humans, but he's never really had cause to do so.  Dachshunds love people, but can be unpredictable.  Dogs sometimes misinterpret human actions, although they are masters at "reading" us.

Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em!





Friday, January 23, 2015

I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF . . .


. . . but I HAD to post this!  BAH HA HA HA!

After you stop groaning, have a fabulous Friday.


Apparently, this doxie reacted the same way you did:


Thursday, January 22, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DOXIE INSPIRATION!


Shadow, my doxie granddawg, is 14 years old today!  Most folks already know, but for those who don't, he is the inspiration for my series, THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES.  Sarge the doxie was patterned after Shadow and some of his shenanigans.

He's quite a dawg, too, and most of the entertaining stories in my books were based upon Shadow and Duke, my doxie.


Shadow as a "young man" - isn't he handsome?

Various sleeping poses

Relaxing with Thor, his kitty buddy

Posing for Mama

His other buddy, Piper, a sweetie
Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em!

WATERCOLORS OF DACHSHUNDS


I've found a new Facebook friend, Eddie Kagim (FB page is Ed's Watercolours), who happens to be an artist who does watercolors of our beloved dachshunds.  He also does other subjects as well, but of course I am partial to his dachshunds (what a surprise!).

If you want to check out his Facebook page, the link to it is at the bottom of this post.  He does watercolors, prints, and commissions.

Below are just a few of his dachshund watercolors.  I can't choose which watercolor I like the best--I like them all!

























Copy and paste the link below into your browser:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eds-Watercolours/775594569198890

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

CUTE PUPPY DAY

I declare today as "Cute Puppy Day" on this blog.  Puppies just have a way of bringing smiles, and they really cheer us up.

Enjoy!

"I'm jumpin' for joy that it's time to eat!"












"I'm too sleepy right now.  Let me snooze"

"Humans say and do some strange things . . ."

"How 'bout a swim?"

"Where's our mama?  We're gettin' hungry"



Tuesday, January 20, 2015

BOOK 5, A DACHSHUND'S MERRY-GO-ROUND LIFE, IN THE WORKS!

I told myself I wouldn't write another dachshund book . . . that was when I was working on Book 3,  DACHSHUNDS FOREVER.  In fact, as I was writing that book, I kept thinking of things to include, so it kept getting longer and longer!  That's when I decided to split it into two books, so that's how Book 4, A DACHSHUND'S TRIBUTE, came about.

But Sarge the doxie still has things he wants to say, so I'm in the planning stages of Book 5.  It is, at this time, entitled A DACHSHUND'S MERRY-GO-ROUND LIFE, and I have a great cover idea.  In fact, I've actually put together a cover design, and I'm liking it . . . A LOT.  Sorry--no previews yet until I'm farther along the road to writing the book itself!

In any case, I'd appreciate prayers as I embark on this exciting new project.  A book's characters often take over, and that's exactly what Sarge has done--he has more he wants to tell his readers, apparently!

I have two other projects ahead of Book 5, but will keep readers posted.  I'm planning to release it this summer.  Stay tuned!

"This photo of me 'might' be on the cover!"

Friday, January 16, 2015

DACHSHUNDS = LOVE



Our beloved doxies are many things, but one of their most endearing traits is their love for their humans.  Oh, my doxie Duke can be a real pest sometimes, but he is also very loving, loyal, and sweet.  His good traits far outweigh any so-called bad traits.

Yes, he is stubborn, but he is pretty good at actually doing anything important we want him to do--after a fashion.  Sometimes humans mistakenly believe that doxies just don't understand what they are supposed to do.  I submit that they UNDERSTAND very well--they simply DON'T WANT TO DO what we ask of them!

Doxies are loyal, caring, stubborn, loud, and jealous.  So what?  So are humans!

Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

DUKE THE DOXIE: FROM NURSE TO BRAT

Just before we took him home!



On the way home--scared puppy
Mr. Smarty Pants


Young pup taking over!



Duke adds so much zest to life and is quite a force to be reckoned with--he doesn't like the word "no" and will talk back!  He's loving, bratty, loyal, sweet, a nose with legs, and quite a nurse when one of us is sick.  We can't imagine life without our fur child!

Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

FOLLOWING MY HEART




"A fiction book's plot, especially Christian fiction, might not go the way the reader desires; in fact, the ending might not be what the reader wanted, either. However, I have to be true to myself and write what I believe the Lord is leading me to write--with no apologies."


I wrote the paragraph above, not because of any criticism or problem, but because I want to make it clear to readers where I am coming from. At a book signing several years ago, a customer asked, "Does the dog die in your book? I don't want to read any more books where the dog dies at the end."


I replied that the dog did not die. That is the crux of the matter: as a Christian, I am keenly conscious of the leading of the Holy Spirit as I write. I realize that bad people, bad actions, and bad situations are a part of life, but I don't wish to glorify such. I believe that everything has a purpose, and if that purpose in my writing is not to glorify God, then I don't write it. If having the main character die in a book does indeed further the cause of Christ, then I will write that into the plot. People die. People hurt. People suffer. But there is a better day coming for those who know the Lord.



I want readers to come away from reading my books feeling encouraged, uplifted, and understanding--that God loves them unconditionally, and He made a way for them to spend eternity with Him. A writer does not need to sound "preachy" to accomplish that. A well-thought-out and well written story can "show, not tell" readers that God's unconditional love is available for all who accept Him, no strings attached. Only then can a person begin to live his or her life according to God's plan, not by hit or miss. Only then can a person find inner peace and joy. Happiness is fickle--it is swayed by circumstances and things. Joy is God given and enduring, very unlike finite happiness.

THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES are written from a dachshund's viewpoint. But Sarge's view, of being on the outside looking in regarding Christianity and his understanding of it, illustrates how we are before receiving God's grace wrapped in a bow: salvation for eternity made possible by Christ's death on the cross--He took my place and took my punishment for my sins. We humans can understand how to accept such a wonderful gift, but often we choose not to. What a shame.

"For by grace are you saved through faith; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no person can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"For, everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13


Monday, January 12, 2015

A DACHSHUND'S TRIBUTE

Book 4 of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES series, A DACHSHUND'S TRIBUTE, will be released in paper back in just a matter of days!  *happy dance*

It has been out in ebook since November, and for those who prefer a book to hold, you'll see it soon!  Stay tuned.


Friday, January 9, 2015

TWO YEARS


Yesterday, January 8, marked two years since my mother's passing.  Time does heal, but thankfully, it does not take away precious memories!  The purple iris was one of her favorite flowers, and I can't see them without thinking of her.

All of us do miss her--I especially miss our talks, and I knew I could tell her just about anything.  She WAS MY MOTHER, and I suppose one does not really appreciate what a blessing is until it is no longer there.


Oh, I appreciated my mother and all she had done for me, or so I thought.  Now, as I look back, I wish I had spent more time with her in those final days.  Of course, we didn't know exactly when her time would be up--we knew it was coming, but not when.  The most beautiful thing about her death is the fact that she was a Christian, and she knew where she would spend eternity--in heaven with the Lord.

I posted the comments below yesterday on Facebook in regard to her passing:

On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, I visited her, and we spent several precious hours talking 
and reminiscing--it was like she was her old self again, and said she felt great. I think the 
Lord gave me the gift of that day with her since she had been in and out of the hospital for 
several months. The doctors had told her there was nothing else they could do for her. 



Then, the nurse called me Monday morning and said Mom had taken a turn for the worse. I 
went over and stayed with her all day, and the nursing home staff came in and out to say 
their good-byes to her because they knew she didn't have long. That was a very difficult day 
for me. Clark and I went back Mon. night--she was barely conscious, but she did know us and tried to talk. She died Tue. before I could get over there. 



We will see her again!




Tuesday, January 6, 2015

TECHNOLOGY AND ME: LIKE OIL AND WATER


I received a new iphone for Christmas, and for the first couple of days, I felt really, really stupid! Fortunately, our daughters and sons-in-law are savvy and were patient with me as I navigated through the many features of this tiny computer masquerading as a phone!

It's great to do Facebook and Twitter on it without leaving my beloved recliner.  I also like checking the weather often, since weather in Georgia this time of year is rather unpredictable.  In fact, it was in the 60s on Sunday, but the high tomorrow will be in the 30s.  I realize that those who live in colder climes probably scoff at that, but remember that I lived in Alaska, so I know about cold weather.  The high humidity here makes it SEEM much colder than the temperature actually is.

Anyway, I now like the iphone and will enjoy using it, I know.  Clark will be getting one as well when the contract on his archaic flip phone is up in a few months.  He happens to like it, but like me, realizes that we must now join the 21st century.

I won't bore you with how things were when we were children--I wouldn't want to go back to using typewriters or card catalogs, either.

I do have contemporaries who don't even own a computer or know what Amazon is, so I'm not that lacking in regard to technology.

I love writing on a computer and proofing onscreen as well, rather than printing out a copy of my manuscripts and marking them, only having to make the changes online later.  It's far easier to just correct them as I read them!

Grandma is joining you, 2015!

Friday, January 2, 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hi, folks!  I'm back (sort of).  I must share our family's Christmas photos today, but I won't be back until after I finish tweaking the back cover of A DACHSHUND'S TRIBUTE in order to release it in paperback.  That should not take long, unless there are snags.

We had many wonderful days together, made precious memories, ate some delicious food, and were blessed beyond expectation!  Here are some photos:

Our family: we hadn't all been together since last Christmas

Holly, moi, Bethany:  Christmas dinner cooks

The daughters cooking a panful of fried okra

Three little blondies ready to open gifts

Daughter Bethany's French bread baguettes


Duke of the glowing eyes:  "Do I get dinner, too??"



Happy New Year, doxie lovers!

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