UPDATE: The winner is…Linda Rhoden!
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Schools are closed today due to the good possibility of icy roads today. The kids loved lying in on a Tuesday and are hoping the “snow days” stretch into Wednesday, too. It’s quiet in the house. One child’s reading in her room. Another has her school laptop open while working on an assignment. I’ve been under the weather for two days now. Headaches, fatigue, chills. I’m a weenie when I’m sick. I completely shut down. I binge-watched Abbott Elementary. It’s not my kind of show (no aliens or ghosts), but it’s funny and real. I was a teacher for a couple of years in a poor district and can relate to their struggles. There’s some really good acting there, too (Sheryl Lee Ralph!). Anyways, I’m moving away from the TV because…headache, ya know.

I decided to share a puzzle today. The theme is “things you can do or consume on a cold winter’s day.” For a chance to win a downloadable book from my backlist, offer another suggestion!

It’s Sunday, and I slept in. Wish I hadn’t. My dd woke me a little while ago to ask me a question, interrupting a dream about me baking a lemon cake and wanting to add poppy seeds, but I had no poppy seeds, so I collected mouse turds to put into the cake. Is that a prescient dream? Will I be that mouse-shit crazy when I have dementia?

Anyways, it’s Sunday, which means it’s time to brush up my weekly work plan and balance my checkbook. After that, I might just kick back and do nada! Before I begin updating plans, I’ll pull a tarot card…

The Nine of Pentacles. Hmmm. What does the picture tell me? Well, Daedalus (you know, father of Icarus who flew too close to the sun?) is standing behind an impressive stack of gold. The grapes are ripe and abundant. He’s wearing a gold gown rather than his usual craftsman’s apron, so he’s celebrating, right? What does that mean for me? Will I have a “good money” week? I’ll check the book. It says, this card is about reward and achievement. That it “augurs a period where one might be justifiably pleased with oneself…” I’ll take that. Now, I actually have to do the work to earn that card!

So, I’ll be updating things, and maybe tackling the rabbit cage (I guess I’m still thinking about those mouse turds). What are your plans for the day?

Just as an FYI, I’ve got friends popping in with posts this coming week. You’ll want to check them out: Leah Braemel, Genevive Chamblee, and my cousin, Brent Archer!

Open Contests

1. TV Series Finale Rant & the Saturday Puzzle! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Most Anticipated Movies — See trailer for RENFIELD! (Contest–and Open Contests) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. National Compliment Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Word Puzzle — Chocolate covered… — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Tell me a story… (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
6. Classic Movies — Your Favorites! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Will you be my valentine…?

UPDATE: The winner is Mary Ann Dean!
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I hope you love the puzzle! I found this image and knew it would make a great puzzle! Very inspirational—cool and creepy! We are getting close to Valentine’s Day, and I have a ton of cards to make. Or maybe just a couple. Depends on my inspiration. Now, I feel like Santa making his nice and naughty list. Anyways, it’s Saturday! I got to sleep in, it’s cold outside, and I’m wearing fuzzy socks, so you know it’s the beginning of a great day!

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, have you ever made a homemade valentine card for someone special?

Update: The winner is…Savonna!
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I was thinking the other day that my kids have been deprived of knowing about the great classic films. When I grew up, there weren’t many channels on the TV, and they played classics late at night or on Saturdays. It was a captive audience, but I grew up loving these films. Nowadays, kids have so many options for what they can watch, it’s mind-numbing. The 9-year-old is obsessed with YouTube and obnoxious cartoons like Uncle Grandpa and Chowder (I actually love Chowder), but getting her to watch a movie that isn’t a Disney cartoon is nearly impossible. The 14-year-old is obsessed with anime. The 18-year-old loves Rom-Coms, and we watch those together, but watch something in black and white? They look at me like I’m nuts when I suggest it, but I think it ought to be part of their education. Classic films, the really good ones, had tons of dialogue and lovely themes and lessons. The comedies are so much better than most produced today.

I have my particular favorites here…

I’m thinking about instituting a classic movie night, maybe once a month, because more than that would stoke insurrection in my house. I’d plan a movie, have snacks ready, and if they want to eat, they have to watch! What do you think of that idea? I want to broaden their horizons. Am I expecting too much thinking they might enjoy these films?

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, I’d love your suggestions for movies to add to the list. And let me know what you think about my idea!

UPDATE: The winner is…Kimberley Bailey!
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For a chance to win one of my downloadable books, tell me a story about the woman in this picture. Your story doesn’t have to be long or even good. Just have fun with the challenge! 🙂

UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel!
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I struggled with a theme for today’s puzzle. My mind is on the work I have to complete. So, I reached out on Facebook for suggestions, and author A. Catherine Noon suggested chocolate. So, I could have gone with candy bar names, types of chocolate, but my mind when straight to things you can cover in chocolate that are delicious! And yes, a mild cheese coated in chocolate is very, very delicious! 🙂 Have fun with the puzzle.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, give me some more suggestions for yummy goodness! Do you have a favorite combination? I love orange + chocolate.

UPDATE: The winner is…Brenda Rumsey!
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Well, I’m back with another obscure holiday! I love this one! And I’ve already paid two compliments today. Do I have you beat?

Yes, this holiday is a thing. NCD promotes—civility! That’s not a bad word, folks. It’s a way to brighten those around you and make you feel good knowing you made someone happy. A win-win! How did I accomplish mine? The two younger girls, 14 and 9-years-old, took time with their appearance this morning. The 9-year-old dressed up like a little old lady for a school dress-up day, and I told her she was the cutest little old lady I’d ever seen “The pearls really nailed it!” The 14-year-old dressed in all black like she normally does, but she’d taken time to straighten her hair, and I really do love her Sublime band T-shirt, so I told her she looked awesome. “Love that shirt!”

Actually, I have four compliments so far. My daughter worked on memes to advertise events at our art center, and I told her the memes were terrific. Pitch-perfect.

See how easy it is to work compliments in? If you’re going to work, compliment something about someone’s appearance. “I love your earrings.” Compliment their work. “Great work on that…” Easy. Going to grocery store? Compliment the cashier. “I know your feet must hurt, but you have a very nice smile. Thank you.” Yes, I do this anyway. (Yes, I’m that annoying person!) Can’t help myself. It’s a habit I don’t want to break. Do you think you could make complimenting folks around you a habit?

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me how you plan to work compliments into your day!