UPDATE: The winner is…Pansy Petal!
*~*~*

It’s Friday but feels like Saturday. I’ve been a day ahead all week. I even woke the 17-year-old to put out the trash the day before the trashmen came. Gah.

We had freezing weather last night, so dd was looking for sheets to cover her newly planted garden. The local hardware store didn’t have any garden mesh. So far, it looks like everything survived, except perhaps, the lettuce. 🙁

The pool is still green, but I hope to get that fixed over the next two weeks. The long-range forecast isn’t great for swimming in April, but I’ll be ready for May!!!! I’ve hit it with algaecide, floc, and lots of chlorine. And I’ll have to do it all again in a day or two. The pool is a time and money suck—but so worth it when the summer heat is miserable. We love swimming at night and watching the bats fly overhead. (Yes, that wasn’t a typo!) We also moved our grill to the pool enclosure and have big plans for meals, drinks, etc., at poolside this year.

As for this weekend, I am hoping not to work too hard. I do have a looming book deadline, but I’ll try to only write the # of words I need for the day. I do have a set of edits that need to go out, but again, I’m not killing myself this weekend. I want some rest and to spend some time outdoors since it looks like we’ll have sunshine! I hope you all find some balance this weekend, too!

Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a Texas Cowboys or a Cowboys on the Edge story, solve the puzzle then tell me what this cowboy is thinking!

UPDATE: The winner is…AnnaMarie Melchiorre!
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Psst! Check out yesterday’s post.
I haven’t closed out all of those open contests! Enter now!!

I’m just poking my head in the door. Lots on my plate (what does that mean, anyway?) to do today. I need to make words (write-write-write, or at least come up with a page–I’d be happy with one!), edit a boatload of pages, and do some organizing in my bathroom cabinets. Gah. I hate housework. Did I mention I convinced the 12-year-old to be my housekeeper by offering her a monthly “salary”? Yeah, we’ll see how long that lasts, but for now, it’s awesome!

Anyway, I’m sharing a puzzle. Hope you love it. The subject is mice because, with the recent cold spell we had, at least one mouse took up residence in our house. We set those humane capture-and-release traps. Nada. Then we went for the old-fashioned snap-traps. And ta-da! I hope he was the only one. The cats (all five!) were too fat and lazy to catch him. 🙁

Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me a mouse story. Pet, pest? How did you rid yourself of them?

UPDATE: The winner is…Misty Dawn!
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Psst! Remember, I have a new release! Get your copy now! Just click on the pic:

I’m feeling pretty lackadaisical today.  That’s a great word by the way. I’m “lack”-ing ambitions, would rather pick “daisi”-es than just about anything. Might have to do with the fact I’m still feeling woozy-headed and tired after COVID shot #2. (Yay!)  Or it might be the typical day-after-new-release malaise. That’s a real thing. Ask an author. Or maybe just take my word for it. Anyway, I found the perfect picture for the puzzle to describe just how un-ambitious I am today. Hope it makes you laugh.

For a chance to win a FREE download of your choice from my backlist of books (it’s ginormous!), tell me whether this resembles you, too. Also, what other synonyms for lazy can you offer? 

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*

It’s Friday! Time to contemplate the weekend. I’m hoping to take it easier than I have the past couple of weeks. Well, easier tomorrow. I have to make the trek to the big city on Sunday to get my SECOND COVID SHOT! Tomorrow, I want to sleep, clean, read some sexy cowboy stories, and give my schedule a scrub before I start back to work on Monday!

So, today’s post is laid back. Solve the puzzle then tell me what you think it’s all about for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

OMG! I have EIGHT open contests and one FREE book offering! Several of these END SOON! Be sure to check out the list below and enter to win! And because I know some of you love the puzzles, I have one of those to flex your mental muscles. Enjoy!

The puzzle is a picture of the first place I want to travel to once this COVID stuff is under control! Share in the comments where you’d like to go!

Open Contests & Giveaway!

1. Have you ordered your copy of HARDMAN? (Excerpt & Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. I love Fridays! (Contest) — Ending soon! Win a FREE book!
3. Beach or Mountains? (Contest–2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
4. His make or break moment… (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. What sounds like…? (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
6. FREE READ! Get your copy now! — This offer ends soon! Everyone, get your FREE read now!
7. Desiree Holt: Critical Density (Contest & Excerpt) — Win a FREE book!
8. Favorite Family Dinners? (Contest) — Win a FREE book!

UPDATE: The winner is…Rita!
*~*~*

I had my COVID shot yesterday, and some folks asked me to give them an update on any reactions I might be having. The numbness in my lips and the slight woozy-headed feeling went away by late afternoon. This morning, I woke up with my arm feeling like it’s bruised, but that’s it. My SIL told me to be ready for fatigue, but I had insomnia last night—which is not unusual, so that wasn’t a problem for me. A little discomfort is well worth not dying. Folks, go get your shots!

So, it’s Monday. After last week’s Snowmageddon, we’re having a week of rain. We were under a tornado watch last night and had some limbs come down. A funnel cloud was seen but never touched down. So, we’re knee-deep in mud and won’t be drying up anytime soon. The first day we have sunshine, I’m going to start working on the pool because I can’t wait for the warm weather! I hope you’re all doing well and looking forward to Spring like I am! Maybe the puzzle will help you get into the mood. 🙂

Puzzle-Contest

Comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card! Tell me what you think this picture is all about. Is there a story here?

UPDATE: The winner is…Shiduna Townsend!
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Puzzle-Contest

Tell me a story. Just a short one will do. Doesn’t have to be good or long. Funny is always appreciated, too. Comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!