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A Message of Hope (Link)

By C.L. Beck

Photo © C.L.Beck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been so long since I've written and posted that I've almost forgotten how. No, not how to write, but how to post! This will be a short one, though, and I won't promise to write again soon, but let's just hope for it.

It's seldom you'll see a serious post out here, but it does happen once in a while. Usually when there's a tragedy, or the world is in a mess. And both seem to be happening right now.

So, in this time of chaos and Covid, here's a link to a message of hope from Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The link is up but won't be active until sometime close to 11am, MST, today (11-20-20). Hopefully, it will warm your heart, and give you peace and hope in these turbulent times. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=tlcILxGmVrI

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Author's note: If you enjoy these articles of mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in -- then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"A Message of Hope (Link)" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags: hope, peace, chaos, Covid, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson



Gotta Love Those Moo-ers

The Hubster sent me a funny in an email and I just had to share it. After all, most of the world loves cows. (At least with steak sauce!)
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Photo © C.L. Beck
Two cows were looking over a gate. One said to the other, "What do you think about this mad cow disease?"

The other cow looked over and replied, "Why should I care? I'm a helicopter."


"Two Cows" from the "Good Clean Funnies". 


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Author's note: If you enjoyed these mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Gotta Love Those Moo-ers" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags: Cows, moo-ers, cattle, jokes, funny, steak sauce.

Over The Top Blogger Tag Questions

Every so often, when a blog gets pushed down to the bottom of the pile, it seems worth it to resurrect it. So ... here it is, a blog from light years ago. Or maybe a tenth of a light year. Who knows? Let's just say it's old, but fun.
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 About 6.5 light years ago, I was given a blogging award in which I was supposed to answer a plethora of questions and then pass the award along. Being a blogger of little brain ... ummm, I mean ... being short on time, I said I would answer the questions later, but I did pass the award along to the five bloggers below.

Shirley Bahlmann at Shirley Bahlmann Biz (fun blog)
Russ Beck at On the Couch (mental health blog)
Taffy at Taffy's Candy (fun blog)
Kim at Scribbled Scraps (scrapbooking and book reviews)
Nichole Giles previously at LDS Humor (more currently at Random-ish)

And 6.500182 light years later, here I am answering the questions.

• Where is your cell phone? In my back pocket. Where it frequently butt-dials people and I hear them yelling, "Hello? Hello?" but I can't figure out where they are.(True story. Methinks I should write a blog about it sometime.)

• Your hair? Where is my hair? Why, on top of my head, of course! Silly question. It would look a little odd growing off my toes. Sorta like a hobbit. Although, it might be handy to keep it in a drawer and only stick it on when needed. (The hair, not the toes.) Now that I think about it, though, hair that you keep in a drawer would be called a wig. Duh.


Your favorite drink? Chocolate milk. Ah yes, chocolate milk ... the nectar of the gods. Or of cows. Not sure which.


• What land are you in? Since fantasy characters seem to be on my mind, I will paraphrase from C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia: I am in the far land of Spare Oom, in the bright city of War Drobe. (Translated for non-Narnians: I am in the spare room (Spare Oom) in the wardrobe (War Drobe). Hmmm, I think that had a funnier impact when C.S. Lewis wrote it.

• Where do you want to be in 6 years? Rich. Or possibly wealthy. But if that won't work, I'll settle for lotsa money. In reality, I'll probably still be sitting at my computer ... covered in cobwebs.

• One place that you go over and over? To the bathroom. I know it's probably not politically correct to mention it ... but ... you did ask! Oh? You meant someplace other than that? I go to cyberspace. Without a space suite ... space soot ... space suit, even. Yes, I know, it's brave of me and hard to breathe out there, but I'm a courageous woman.


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Did I fall into Wonderland?


I'm seriously considering the thought -- did I fall into Wonderland?

Ok, I can hear you all asking why, and muttering about whether or not I've lost my marbles.

Nope, I haven't lost 'em. At least I don't think I have. (Wait. Let me shake my head and count them. Yup, they're all there.)

Here's what happened...

The other day the Hubster and I were standing in the side yard, discussing something, when lickety-split, this rabbit came barreling across the street. He was headed on a beeline (or is that a bunnyline?) toward the Hubster, and the height of his bounce increased exponentially each time.

"Acckkk!" I yelled, as a word of warning for the Hubster. I seriously thought the crazy thing was going to bound and hit the Hubster in the head.

Unfortunately ... er ... I mean ... fortunately we will never know if the Hubster would have been knocked cold by a bunny's right cross, because my yell caught his attention.

No, not the Hubster's attention, the bunny's. The Hubster kept right on talking about this and that, but the bunny made a sharp left turn and disappeared under the neighbor's fence.

I'm pretty sure, though, I heard him say, "I'm looking for a hookah-smoking caterpillar," as he went by. Or maybe he said, "I'm looking for a Hokey-Pokey caterpillar."

I'm not sure which.
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Author's note: If you'd like to read another article about fuzzy, furry creatures -- and no, we aren't talking the Hubster, here -- check out, "Then There was Lunch." It's a hoot, and is one of my favorites.

Author's 2nd note: If you enjoyed these mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in --  then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Did I fall into Wonderland?" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags:Wonderland, rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, marbles, hookah


A Cat Tale -- Cozy, the Cat

A heart-warming, true tale of adopting a shelter animal, by Cindy Beck
 














Poozer had disappeared. How do cats manage to do that -- just suddenly vanish?

We hunted for days, worried that a hawk had swooped down, scooped her up in his talons and eaten her for lunch. Or worse yet, that she’d been hit by a truck and lay under a patch of sagebrush, injured and hidden from sight.

We looked under every bush, turned over every rock. Well, okay, not literally turned every rock, because there are a lot of rocks in Wyoming. But ... it seemed like every rock!

Then it dawned on us—maybe she’d wandered afar, someone had picked her up and turned her in. Hurry, scurry, off to the Laramie animal shelter!

By now it’d been almost a week, and the shelter only held animals for seven days. When we arrived, the young man at the desk looked disinterested. As in, “Don’t talk to me. Don’t ask me any questions. I’m only here because the judge ordered it.” Yeah, that kind of disinterested.

I looked at him, hoping to catch his eye, but amazingly enough he stared at paperwork on the counter in front of him. Go figure.

Finally, I asked, “Has a white cat come in?”

Our young son, Davey, stood on his tiptoes to look over the counter at him. “Her name is Poozer.”

My husband, Russ, smiled at Davey, as I said, “I don’t think the man needs to know that part, sweetheart.”

The guy shuffled the papers and stared at a speck on the counter. Seriously ... how interesting can a fly speck really be? Finally he said, “Nope.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, do you mind if we walk through and look at the cats, just to be sure?

“Go ahead.”

We walked in, and it only took a glance to see that Poozer wasn’t there. However, my hands itched to pet all the kittens. I had to stuff them in my pockets (my hands, not the kittens!) so they didn't reach out to scratch all those cute ears.

As we walked past the mewing balls of fluff, an attendant entered the room. I turned to him. “How long will these cats be here?”

“They’re scheduled for euthanasia tomorrow.”

My heart felt like it leapt into my throat and the only way to keep it down was to gulp. The thought of all those beautiful, purring kittens being dead in less than twenty-four hours made me feel sick.

I looked around, the tears threatening to form in the corners of my eyes. And then I saw her.

No, not Poozer.

I saw the ugliest cat anyone ever laid eyes on.
 Which meant all those beautiful kittens and one ugly cat would die on the morrow.

My heart went out to her. What chance did a half-grown cat have when her muted markings made her look like a lopsided jester? Still, we were there looking for Poozer, not there to rescue a cat that looked like she’d been dunked in cans of old paint.

As we walked past the cages again, the kittens tumbled and played with each other. When we neared Ugly Cat, she moved as close to the bars as she could, mewed, then reached her paw out and patted my arm as if to say, “Please, please take me.”

We did.

We never found Poozer. But, from the moment we took Ugly Cat home, she was the cuddliest cat in the house. Because of that -- and because we obviously couldn't continue calling her Ugly Cat -- we named her Cozy. She stayed the size of a half-grown kitten, and her colors remained muted, but her coat developed a sheen, and she never ceased to want to cuddle or to sit cozily in a lap. Her heart was filled with love for us.

Over time, the gruff, elderly gentleman who lived next door took a shine to her, and he’d talk to her when he went outdoors. She’d meow back at him and run to his porch, where he’d feed her fish heads (yuck!) and other "tasty" (and you'll notice I put quotes around "tasty") treats.
They developed a warm friendship.

Cozy lived to a ripe old age. Eventually she passed away, and we cried as we buried the ugliest cat -- with the most beautiful personality -- on the back half acre where she loved to wander.

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Author's note: If you enjoyed these thoughts, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"A Cat Tale -- Cozy, the Cat" © C.L. Beck. 
"Cozy the Cat" graphic is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
All other images property of Pixabay.com

Tags: animal rescue, adopting shelter animals, cats, shelter animal experience, rescuing a cat from the pound


Easy Side Dish -- Cucumbers in Sour Cream













Tired of the same ol' cucumber routine? Cucumbers in salads, or with salt and pepper, or cucumbers in vinegar. And if you have a garden, you probably have cukes coming out your ears.  Or other orifices.

Yes, cucumbers coming out your nose!

At any rate, give this recipe, "Easy Side Dish -- Cucumbers in Sour Cream" a try. It's a snap to make.

Ingredients
1/2 C + 2 Tbsp sour cream
2 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp salt (more, if desired)
Pepper
3 medium cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 small Vidalia onion (or other sweet onion), thinly sliced, separated into rings.

Directions
Mix sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, salt and pepper in a serving bowl. Add cucumbers and onions. Toss gently. Cover. Refrigerate 2-4 hours ... if you can stand to wait that long. Serves 6-8.

As long as you like cucumbers and onions, you'll love cucumbers in sour cream. It's a great one to fix for your own supper, or to take to a potluck, too. Everyone will rave, and you'll have found a way to use up the produce on that cucumber plant from Hades ... er ... I mean, those copious amounts of fruit on that lovely cucumber plant.

(Recipe adapted from Taste of Home)

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"Easy Side Dish -- Cucumbers in Sour Cream!" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags: easy side dish, cucumbers, sour cream, recipe

The Wind Didn't Blow Strong Enough!












If you happened to read my previous post ... and yes, I know it was a long time ago ... you will probably remember that I said "Change is in the wind!"

 Apparently, the wind didn't blow strong enough, because nothing happened after that. And here I am, a year later, finally posting again.

Oh, all right. It's actually been a year and three months. Or so.

 Just to prove that I didn't lie about change ... no, honestly, I didn't lie. I just didn't act quickly.

Anyway, just to prove I didn't lie, I'm planning to post one of my favorite recipes for cucumbers in sour cream in the very near future. Because at this time of year, you have to have something you can do with those cukes ... outside of using the really big ones for baseball bats!

More info on those cukes to follow soon. Very soon.

 I promise.

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Author's note: If you enjoyed these mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"The wind didn't blow strong enough!" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags:change, wind, change is in the wind, cucumbers, recipe


Change is in the Wind

By C.L. Beck












Twenty years ago, I wasn't gray. And I weighed a lot less. Didn't have wrinkles, either.

Philosophers say the only constant in life is change. I say the guys who said that should try living with non-existent hormones for a while and see what they think of that!

Oh, okay, so non-existent hormones have nothing to do with philosophers, but it does have something to do with change, right? (All you ladies out there who are low on estrogen and have a gun, nod your head and say, "Yes!")

In case you haven't noticed, my blog hasn't had much new on it lately. I keep wanting to change that issue, but apparently wishing that posts would appear magically on their own is not making it happen.

I don't know why not.

At any rate, I've decided not to restrict my blog to just humor anymore, in hopes of opening it up a little. Instead, I'll be writing about whatever catches my fancy. Which doesn't exactly make it a niche that will bring in money.

But, hey, maybe a long lost relative will leave me millions in his/her will. You just never know what's going to happen when change is in the wind.

(What about you? Have you made any big changes lately?)

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Author's note: If you enjoyed these mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Change is in the Wind" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags:change, wind, change is in the wind, hormones, estrogen 


Today is Blame Someone Else Day

By C.L. Beck















Yahoo, and yippee! It's "Blame Someone Else Day!"

Well ... maybe ... sorta ... kinda. Apparently, the official calendar dudes and dude-ettes of the world haven't quite agreed on it. Some think it happens on the first Friday-the-13th of the year. Others vote for April, or September.

What the heck! I say let's have it on all those days. You can never blame someone else too many times.

And anyway, radio announcers were discussing it today on the radio, so today is a good enough start for me.

Oh, joy! Just think of it. You can blame all your misdeeds, mistakes, and problems on someone else.

Is your weight a little more than you'd like? Blame it on the Krispy Kreme donut shop.

Not as rich as you'd like to be? Blame it on your accountant.

The supper you cooked didn't turn out quite so tasty? Blame it on Ms. Betty Crocker!

As for me, I haven't done as much writing lately as I'd like. Should I blame it on the computer? Hmmm. Or maybe on Russ? He's always good for a blame or two.

No, I think today I'll blame it on the dog. It's Corky Porky Pie's fault. 

Yup. Who better to blame when your life is going to the dogs?

(What about you? Are you taking advantage of Blame Someone Else Day?)

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Author's note: If you enjoyed these mostly true thoughts -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Today is Blame Someone Else Day" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image or text.
Tags: Blame Someone Else Day, Krispy Kreme, Betty Crocker,


Boots, Glorious Boots

By C.L. Beck














It's that time of year again! As the song says --

Wait! Just so you'll know. On the advice of my attorney, and for strict legal reasons that involve something or other, I'll be paraphrasing the song.

Oh all right. I don't really have an attorney. And I paraphrase because I can't remember the words.

Anyway, as the song from that movie about orphaned kids in London says, "Boots, glorious boots; hot leather and faux fur!While we're in the mood, snake belly and gopher!"

Now that I've regaled you with a song -- one that none of you recognize because I made it up -- let's get back to it being that time of year. Yes, it's time to buy boots, glorious boots.

I was out at schulershoes.com this morning, looking over their boots and shoes. They were really cute, and reminded me of something that happened recently.

Russ and I were in a shoe store, looking at winter boots, when I spotted this nice pair of black suede ones. With big, white snowflakes embroidered on them. And a stacked heel. They just looked so fun, hip, and cool.

I pointed them out to him, "Look, aren't these cute? I could use a pair for church."

Russ eyed them critically. "Would they fit? You know you have big calves, and it's hard to get boots up over them."

I sent a stare his way that would make a snowman shiver. "Not big calves. Well-formed, muscular -- but lovely -- calves. From all the exercising, I do."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, so big, muscular calves."

Ignoring him, I took the beautiful boots off the rack. I slipped them on and pulled the legs of my jeans up to my knees so I could get the full effect of the boots on my feet. "What do you think?" I asked Russ.

He hesitated. "Well, they're nice-looking, but you remind me of someone." He paused and then said innocently, "Oh, I know. You remind me of the ladies in the city who stand on the street corners at night, looking for ... um, you know ... friends."

And now you can guess why I was online this morning, looking at boots and shoes. It's a whole lot easier when Russ isn't around to offer his opinion.

At this point, who knows when ... or if ... I'll find some that'll fit over my well-formed, muscular, lovely calves. But, it's bound to happen sometime soon. Right?

In the meantime, though, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy the feast. And don't forget what it says in that Christmas song, ""Ever body knows a missile and some turkey toes, help to make the seasonings right." 

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(Disclosure: This article is sponsored by your friends at schulershoes.com. For more disclosure information on sponsored articles, please read the disclosure page.)

Author's note: If you enjoyed this mostly true story -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Boots, Glorious Boots" © C.L. Beck. 
Image is the property of C.L. Beck, and may be found on other articles under her pen names. Please do not violate copyright -- obtain permission before using image.
Tags: boots, shoes, schulershoes
 

A Funny Poem about Being Busy ... by C.L. Beck



It's Been a Month Since I Have Writ
















 

 

I'm sittin' here and feelin' sad,
Just knowin' I am so, so bad!

It's been a month since I have writ.
My brain says I am a nit wit.

My friends think I done flew the coop.
But ... I've been busy makin' soup,

And feedin' hawgs, and training dawgs,
And just for fun, been felling logs.

I scraped my knee, what really hurt.
Fell on my face, down in the dirt,

And writ this poem, as I lay there,
While little ants climbed in my hair.

And even though, I must admit,
I've made this up -- yup, every bit --

I'm hoping it will make you smile,
Forgive me for a little while.

And you'll still visit me right here,
Despite the fact there's no free beer.

Won't worry 'bout my missing face --
That hasn't been here, in this place.

Yes, life can surely be such fun.
So much to do, been on the run.

But, I'll be back again someday --
And then I'll have a lot to say!

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Author's note: If you enjoyed this sorta true poem -- with a lot of exaggeration thrown in -- then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

Article: "A Funny Poem about Being Busy" © C.L. Beck
Poem: "It's Been a Month Since I Have Writ" © C.L. Beck
Tags: free poems, funny poem, feeling sad, no free beer, funny poem about being busy, 


Get Me a Good Translation Service

By C.L. Beck 

Image © RosettaTranslation.com

Recently, I ran across a website for a translation service in London. I was delighted, thinking there was help in sight for Russ and me, since we sometimes have an inability to communicate.

Let me rephrase that. One of the biggest issues between Russ and me is his inability to communicate. Like almost all women of the world, I am well-versed at saying what I mean without actually coming out and expressing it, because men are supposed to get what we mean and not what we say, anyway.

Not that Russ would agree, but hey, what does he know?

I used to think it was because he's deaf in one ear and can't hear out the other that our verbal exchanges became confusing. Now I find that his texts are just as bad.

Not long ago, in response to a text I sent telling him what I was fixing for supper, I got the following reply: "You R sopping good."

I glared at my cell. What kind of answer was that? And why insult me when all I'd said was that I was fixing his favorite meal? My fingers fairly flew over the keyboard with my stinging reply.

Oh, all right, I'll tell the truth. It took me five minutes to type it, 'cause I suck ... er, I mean stink ... at texting. My reply said, "Sopping good!!??"

A few seconds later, I heard my cell ding -- as opposed to what phones used to do, which was ring -- and I checked the message.

He'd texted, "R U calling me sopping for some reason? What did I do now?"

Naturally, anyone can see that this error in communication did not come from my sharp mind but from Russ's cluttered brain.

That night, we talked and cleared it up. It turned out he'd typed, "You R sooooo good" and the auto text feature on his Android had substituted the word "sopping" for "sooooo."

Still, I think that being in the mental health/counseling field, Russ must accept Sigmund Freud's postulate that nothing happens by accident. Subconsciously, his brain went with sopping for a reason.

I must admit that a short time later, the tables were turned. I'd planned to meet friends for lunch, where we could converse, discuss, talk, gab, and parley to our hearts' content. Yup, obviously a group of all women!

But before I go any farther, let me say this about that. It's my considered opinion that many men don't have good communication skills. (Of course, this does not include faithful male readers at this blog!) However, men may know how to parley. My highly educated appraisal on that issue is based on the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean.

Hmmm, Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Talk about needing a translation service! That man talked like he had cotton in his mouth through the whole movie ... and in all 325 sequels!

Oh, I'm sorry. I digress.

So, according to Johnny Depp -- and this is assuming I understood him correctly through his slurring and mumbling -- pirates know how to parley.  And since most pirates are men, that means parleying is the only form of conversation they employ ... while sitting around a table, with swords in their teeth and rum on their breath.

Sooooo, (please note that my computer has more sense than any cell and did not substitute "sopping" for "sooooo,") back to the story about meeting friends. I texted them and said I could come on the specified day, "If we can meet in Nephi for lunch."

Which my cell changed to -- while I wasn't looking, mind you -- "If we can meet in Nephritis for lunch."

Just great. My friends thought I wanted to meet in kidney disease for lunch.

Well, all I can say is that cell phones obviously need a good translation service to get it right. Either that or they need to be created by women, who know from the day they're born how to converse, discuss, talk, gab, and parley -- even without swords in their teeth and rum on their breath.

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(Disclosure: This article is sponsored by your friends at RosettaTranslation.com. For more disclosure information, please read the disclosure page.)

Author's note: If you enjoyed this mostly true story -- with a little bit of lying exaggeration thrown in, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"Get Me a Good Translation Service" © C.L. Beck;  image © RosettaTranslation.com
Tags: translation service, Android
 

Mind's Eye View of Utah Lake ... by C.L. Beck

No article ... just a photo!

Mind's Eye View of Utah Lake © C.L. Beck













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"Mind's Eye View of Utah Lake" © C.L. Beck; image © C.L. Beck
Tags: Utah Lake 




Mother's Day Video

(So Touching)
Posted by C.L. Beck

Dedicated to all mothers, and to those friends and sisters who are like mothers to us. Where would we be without them?
   
Happy Mother's Day!




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Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, but can only take so much tenderness before your eyes are swollen and you run out of tissues, stay tuned for humor comin' down the road. Sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right -- that way you won't miss out on the fun to come.

Tags: Mother's Day, eternal families

How to Get Rid of a Cold

Or ... Only the Nose Knows
By C.L. Beck


image © Sarej














How to Get Rid of a Cold

Those little germs are everywhere,
Inside your mouth and in your hair,
Up your nose—to make you sneeze,
In your lungs—to make you wheeze.

Those little germs are such a pain—
It seems like they've attacked your brain!
They’ve given you a nasty cold,
Which makes you feel so doggone old.

Whatever can you do instead
Of wheezing, coughing, in your bed?
Perhaps it’s time to let them go
To steal somebody else’s show!

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Okay, so how to get rid of a cold for real? No miracle solutions, but here are a few tricks that might help the poor suffering sickee (that's you) feel a little better:
  • Use a saline solution for congestion. Either buy it as a spray in the store, or make your own saline solution at home. If homemade, be sure to boil the solution so that those nasty-wasty brain-eating buggers don't hitch a ride in it. For real.
  • For a sore throat, gargle with 1 tbsp cider vinegar mixed with about 3-6 ounces warm water. Very soothing!
  • Use cough drops or throat lozenges to keep your throat moist.
  • When blowing your nose, use tissues that contain lanolin or other skin softeners so your nose doesn't get irritated.
  • Wear soft, fuzzy clothes. Naw, they don't do anything for the germs, but the warm fuzzies are the next best thing to that wonderful blankie you loved as a toddler.
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Author's note: If you enjoyed this mostly humorous, absolutely true poem, then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"How to Get Rid of a Cold" © C.L. Beck; image © Sarej
Tags: cold, germs, how to get rid of a cold


Sticky Notes

They're Not All that They're Sticky-ed Up to Be
By C.L. Beck















 The other night I had the strangest dream....

In it, I hunted all over for a pad of sticky notes, and every one that I pulled off my cluttered desk had lots and lots of writing on it. On every single page. Some written in bold, black marker.

The Hubster smiled and gave his mental health shrinky-therapist opinion. "That shows your desire to buy me a new car. Writing in blue signifies a Camaro ... red means you're getting me a Mustang."

What? I think not, Buster!

If the notes contained wisdom and knowledge, it would have been all right. Or if they even gave instructions on how to make my fortune, it would have been fine. But, they didn't.

And now -- for some strange reason -- I have a weird, nagging desire to drive to the office supply store and buy all their sticky notes.

Quick! Somebody hide my car keys.
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"Sticky Notes" © C.L. Beck; image © QualityC
Tags: sticky notes, Camaro, dreams


"Descendant," by Nichole Giles: Coming May 1, 2013

A Sneak Peek at the Cover
By C.L. Beck

It's been forever since I've been part of a blog tour. Mostly because I don't get moola for it I don't have time. But, today my friend and co-author, Nichole Giles, is having a blog tour for the cover of her new book, Descendant. (Release date for Descendant: May 1, 2013.)

And what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help with that? Please feel free to leave answers to that question in the comments below ... and keep them nice, or my blogger goblin will eat them for breakfast.

Blogger goblin. No, that would not be the hubster, Russ. It would be the dogster, Corky Porky Pie.

Aside from her prime virtues of being my friend and co-author -- and the fact that she's the talented individual who wrote, The Sharp Edge of a Knife -- Nichole has some other great qualities:

AUTHOR BIO
Nichole Giles had early career plans of becoming an actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.


Now that you know all that, take a peek at Nichole's new book cover for Descendant:

















You're probably wondering if I've read a draft copy of the book. The answer to that is YES!

Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to yell with excitement, but it's a really good book. Nichole is an excellent writer, and if you enjoy YA-paranormal....

No, we're not talking abnormal. Although, I do know a few abnormal, young adults.

We're talking paranormal. Which is just a fancy term for events that happen without scientific explanation. You know, like Russ's hair falling out. Or the money in my pocket disappearing without my prior consent.

But in this case, it's neither of those happenings:

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.

Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.

Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

So there you have it. And in light of the fact that it's hard for me to find time to blog, that should tell you that the book is good enough -- waaaaay good enough -- for me to take  the time and trouble to write about it. Even if I didn't get any moolah for it.
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(Disclosure: I received no compensation for this article ... unless you count the undying loyalty of my friend, Nichole Giles. For more disclosure information, please read the disclosure page.)

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"'Descendant, by Nichole Giles: Coming May 1, 2013" © C.L. Beck
 
Tags: Descendant, Nichole Giles


Funny Puns (Cats)

They're the Cat's Meow
By C.L. Beck

 











The other day when my brain had nothing else to do, it came up with a few funny puns about cats.

Well, okay, it really did have other things to do, but my brain doesn't follow directions well. It also runs with scissors, but that's another story....

Funny Puns (Cats)

What do kittens drink? Meow-lk.

What virtue do cats strive for the most? Purr-fection.

What kind of baseball pitch does a cat deliver? A hairball.

What's a cat's favorite cliche? You can catch more flies with honey. (And they crunch nicely, too.)

What do you call it when Fluffy gets a cut on her paw? A me-owie.

What’s a cat’s favorite infield position in baseball? Catcher.

If 20 felines were organized into a choir, what song would they sing? The Howllelujah Chorus.

What type music do cats prefer to hear? Catchy tunes.

What’s a kittens favorite snack? Meow-ouse.

What do cats do with their 401K funds when they retire? Purr-chase land in Boca.

What do you get if you cross a cat with a hippopotamus? A catastrophe.
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"Funny Puns (Cats) © C.L. Beck; image © C.L. Beck
Tags: funny puns, cats


The IRS

Office of the Good, the Bad, and the Out to Get You
By C.L. Beck













Alas, it's that time of year when most of us start worrying about the IRS and tax returns. However, I'm Cindy, the fearless ... the brave ... the invincible. I scoff at the thought of Form 1040!

Furthermore, I never dream about tax agents, tax audits, or spending my life in jail for incorrect addition. No indeedy, the Internal Revenue does not haunt my dreams.

It haunts my every waking moment!

Truth be told, I'm scared spitless of the IRS. (And being without spit is not funny.)  

We were driving in the car and I said to Russ, "I'm so worried that someday I'll get audited by the IRS. I'm a very honest person, but that doesn't make any difference. If the IRS wants you, you're a dead chicken."

Russ crinkled his forehead and looked at me. "A dead chicken? I think you mean dead meat."

"Yeah, well, you pick your meat and I'll pick mine. I'm chicken of the IRS." I shivered, envisioning IRS agents behind every tree as we zipped down the highway.

Russ patted my shoulder. I'm sure it was to give me comfort and not to brush dandruff off my jacket. "What does our accountant say about it?"

"He says we're small fish and Internal Revenue would probably never even pull our returns." I sighed. "If only there were some way to insure they wouldn't even think about me."

Russ grinned. "I can help you there. Being a Jedi knight of the highest order, I have that power."

I cocked my head, and snorted. "Oh yeah? You don't even own a light saber. Let's see your great power. "

Russ cleared his throat, waved his hand slowly and mysteriously in the direction of the Ogden IRS center, then in his best Obi-Wan imitation intoned, "These aren't the tax returns you're looking for."

I'm sure hoping the Force was with him.
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"The IRS" © C.L. Beck;  image © YM
Tags: IRS, Internal Revenue, Obi-Wan, Jedi knight

How to Compliment Women?

You Don't Look Fat ... but Maybe a Little Hippy
By C.L. Beck

















Men. They give the most "interesting" compliments. Things like, "Gee, it's great that you don't have nose hair."

Or, let's say you ask, "Does this dress make me look fat?"

Mr. Tactful will say, "No it doesn't make you look fat. Maybe just a little hippy. And the color is weird (even though he's colorblind), but you look as beautiful as the minute I first laid eyes on you."

Just so there's no misunderstanding, let me give another example. On Christmas Day, Russ and I were going to a friend's house for dinner. Our contribution to the meal was stuffing (no, not the kind that goes into pillows ... the kind made with bread cubes) and I'd struggled to get it ready on time.

At my house, we normally do stuffing for three ... which is really stuffing for two people and a fat dog. Hence, the dilemma in figuring out how to cook stuffing for twenty.

But, I managed it. We were only five minutes late as we drove down the road, the dish warming my lap, steam rising from it, and a homey fragrance wafting around me.

Russ gave me a look of adoration and said, "This is just like when we were dating."

I pondered that. Did he mean the joy of being together for the holidays? The glint of happiness that made my eyes sparkle? The way my hair had worked into soft waves?

It's impossible to read men's minds. Well, at least Russ's. I gave up guessing and said, "How is it just like when we were dating?"

"You smell really good and we're fogging up the windows." He wriggled his eyebrows and laughed.

I categorically deny fogging any car windows in my youth. And I couldn't decide what to think about him saying I smelled really good -- as I sat with a dish of stuffing in my lap.

But, I wished he'd made the comparison forty years earlier.

Because if I had known it was that easy to get compliments, I would have foregone the $50 bottle of Shalimar perfume back then, and worn 50¢ poultry seasoning behind my ears instead.
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(Author's note: If you enjoyed this mostly true story -- with a little bit of exaggeration thrown in -- then sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar on the right. That way you won't miss out on the fun.

"How to Compliment Women?" © C.L. Beck
Hippo image © Clipart from Clipartheaven.com.  
Tags: compliment women, stuffing, Shalimar, perfume, poultry seasoning