tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88065262711539969912024-02-19T05:36:52.807-05:00Roseanne Dowell - A Little of This, A Little of ThatRoseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-33953538255112625222022-08-26T16:00:00.002-04:002022-08-26T16:00:45.335-04:00Where Did Summer Go?<p> I know technically summer isn't over, but hey, the kids are back in school. To me, that always meant summer was over. It used to be they went back after Labor Day. It seems they go back earlier every year. </p><p>Why should that bother me? I mean, I don't have school-age kids, heck, I only have two school-age grandkids. </p><p>Yet for some reason I feel sad about it every year. Maybe it's because I remember my own going back. I hated getting back to the routine of bedtime earlier, especially as it was still light outside. All summer they got to stay up late, played outside until 9:00 and sometimes later. Getting them to settle down was no easy task, but that wasn't the only reason. Nope, it was fun letting them stay up late and watching them play outside. I loved it. </p><p>And, of course, I knew what was to come. My least favorite time of year, my least favorite season. I was okay until January. It wasn't terribly cold in November and December (at least not usually, although there were a few years). I don't mind the snow. I actually think it's pretty. I just don't like driving in it. Although most times, the road crews are pretty good about keeping it clear. But those big snowfalls when you can't even get out of the garage without shoveling, well, suffice it to say, I'm not crazy about them. </p><p>There was a time, in my younger years, I actually loved snowstorms. Loved going out and shoveling and playing with the kids building snowmen and making snow angels. But those days are long past. These old bones have trouble shoveling nowadays. Praise God, I have a nephew who does it for a living, and the great guy that he takes mercy on me and plows our drive. </p><p>I have no desire to flee south for the winter, even if I could afford it. Nope, I love Ohio, love being near my family especially. So, I'll live with it and look forward to next spring and summer. At my age the time goes pretty quickly, so it'll be here before I know it. Until then, I'll continue to wonder, where did summer go?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-73294827469662943872022-05-07T20:28:00.002-04:002022-05-07T20:28:31.893-04:00Things My Mother Never Taught Me by Roseanne Dowell<p> </p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dedicated to my mother who passed away on Nov. 22, 1996 </span><span style="color: #050505;"> </span></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #050505; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcei22jyyZCuztzZZL4cRMeDL1hrKqKWW9SPMr-CT4zn_h95mKT7OMRAVdxvg4HqsVsOm1JyyTHQjnd2dji3mPUInTPLmFqoZnx0eXygtyWAVpTwLxE17aB2TiCl336KdAHl-vXji3sWQcvnQuu1-E9k_xyG6_CK309YZXlcW3pnp9YG9IE5eWGES/s779/60228826_10220101156307357_5870078047079628800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcei22jyyZCuztzZZL4cRMeDL1hrKqKWW9SPMr-CT4zn_h95mKT7OMRAVdxvg4HqsVsOm1JyyTHQjnd2dji3mPUInTPLmFqoZnx0eXygtyWAVpTwLxE17aB2TiCl336KdAHl-vXji3sWQcvnQuu1-E9k_xyG6_CK309YZXlcW3pnp9YG9IE5eWGES/s320/60228826_10220101156307357_5870078047079628800_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #050505;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.5px;"> </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me about the thrill of a first kiss or the hurt of that first breakup. She never told me about the love between a man and a woman and the joy of standing at the altar, vowing before God, family, and friends to love him forever.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me about the emotions of holding my newborn child in my arms for the first time or the feeling of responsibility for their lives. She never told me about the overwhelming sense of awe I'd feel knowing that this child came from within me. That I created the life, nourished it for nine long months, and now had to nourish and care for it in the real world. She never taught me I'd feel this amazing sense of awe with each child.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me the feeling of swelled pride at watching my children take their first steps or hearing their first words.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never taught me about the combination of pain and pride I would feel as I watched my children waltz off to school looking so grown up and yet so young. So independent. She never told me how I’d feel when they came home and said “But Miss so and so said it was better to do it this way.” and the realization that I was no longer the sole influence in their life.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me about the fear of having a child in the hospital undergoing tests by a neurologist after a normal eye exam discovered a problem or sitting in an emergency room while your child undergoes an emergency appendectomy. She never told me how difficult it would be to watch your children suffer through typical childhood illnesses, stitches, or broken bones.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never taught me about the fear of letting your children go down the street to play or crossing the street for the first time by themselves.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me about dealing with my daughter’s first crush and heartbreak and lost love. She never told me how hard it would be to watch my children struggle to get good grades or make the team or try to fit in.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never taught me about the pride of watching my child march down the auditorium to receive their diploma or hearing about their first job. My mother never told me of the deep fear I’d experience when they learned to drive or getting that phone call that told me they had an accident.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">My mother never taught me of the excitement of their engagement and the trials of planning a wedding. She never told me of the happiness and pride I’d feel watching them walk down the aisle to stand beside the one they would vow to spend their life with or the worry that this child was now totally independent of you.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never taught me of the sense of wonder I’d feel holding my newborn grandchildren for the first time.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never explained that these feelings of worry and concern never go away when my children grew up. My mother didn't tell me the worries would only strengthen as my children married and had children of their own. That I’d have more to love and worry about.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">She never told me how it feels to be a mother. She never told me about the joy, pain, and overwhelming awe of being a mother and grandmother. I now know why my mother never taught me these things. Because these things have to be experienced to understand the wonderful sense of being a mother. </span></div></div><p></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">But the biggest thing my mother never taught me was how I’d feel when she was no longer here to talk with, to share my feelings with after she passed from this world. She never taught me how to deal with the sense of loss at losing a loved one or the pain deep within that I would carry through the rest of my days. She never told me how much I’d miss her.</span></div></div>Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-14455777527219973562021-06-26T16:09:00.000-04:002021-06-26T16:09:00.425-04:00It's been a long time. <p> I lost track of time. I could have sworn I posted on this blog recently. Obviously not. I apologize to those of you following me. I just didn't realize it's been so long. </p><p>So what have I been doing all this time? Honestly, nothing really exciting. Last year was mostly a loss because of Covid. You'd think I'd have been writing, and I've tried, honest I have. I have three stories started and each one has me blocked. I'm not sure which direction any of them are going and that's the main problem. </p><p>I'm what they call a "seat of the pants writer". That means I don't plot out my books. I tried plotting one out once at the advice of another writer who spoke to a writing group I belonged to. What she said made perfect sense at the time. </p><p>Unfortunately, I got a couple of chapters into the story, and bam, just like that, nothing would come. I didn't know how to get my heroine into the next situation. I think I didn't care for the situations I had plotted and that was a big problem. And I really didn't like the ending I'd created, so. there I was staring at a blank screen. Nothing came to me. I had blocked myself into situations I didn't really like and neither did my character. And let's face it, if your main character isn't happy, the author isn't happy. </p><p>I was blocked on that story for two years. Every time I tried to write, the same thing happened, Nothing. So I set it aside until I forgot what I plotted. Finally, I opened it one day, and just like that, the ideas started flowing. I created a different ending and it didn't take me or my character long to get there. </p><p>That's how I usually write and plotting is okay for some writers, but definitely not for me. I know the beginning of my stories and the end, how I get there - or I should say how my characters get there - is as much a surprise to me as it is to my readers. </p><p>So, what's wrong with the stories I started? I don't have an ending on any of them so my characters don't know where to go. I hope someday to finish them but for now, they sit with blank spaces. </p><p>So since I haven't been writing, what have I been doing. A lot of embroidery. I got a new embroidery machine and I love it. I've been making all kinds of things, especially Christmas gifts. I have a lot to make, so I start early, although I haven't started for this year yet. </p><p>Last year, I made bowls and ornaments, and placemats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzdhLtvtqjr73ZmHWFRA1Y1qMouQ8ytWaPimI7WbOSb_547dy3Fb9WfB2OnUwBKKehKvjFbitohJ4H7o5ouF40d0pCgk9OlsB6TJ6zBdrWf0Ooa4YePLK9-WfnlQX9gmPBguAqUbYBi4/s640/emb+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzdhLtvtqjr73ZmHWFRA1Y1qMouQ8ytWaPimI7WbOSb_547dy3Fb9WfB2OnUwBKKehKvjFbitohJ4H7o5ouF40d0pCgk9OlsB6TJ6zBdrWf0Ooa4YePLK9-WfnlQX9gmPBguAqUbYBi4/w200-h150/emb+tree.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> Some for myself, some for everyone else. And the cutest snowmen. And then I made Easter gifts, beautiful crosses for my kids, little cute things for the grandkids, and great-grandkids. It keeps me busy and out of trouble. Recently I've been making bookmarks for my Bible Study Group and for Easter dinner at church,. Today, I'm actually working on baseballs for a dinner we're having at church tomorrow with a baseball theme. It's really been fun. Next month we're doing a Christmas in July dinner at church and yep, you guessed it, I'm making ornaments. I also made baby bibs for my granddaughter's first baby. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYgZWjiTU6Da9Im_tzj26amTfPnIHOP7vRaXn0lnB2DOiNRuHohQnjhhzvVMF7xzxCaBZM0LP83XSupZ2ksLtM3dXLNTJfoGJaOKKkVNEaZ3zhPgQTaeX15VQk4pkofZPFzyRtRMpbH0/s2016/baseball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYgZWjiTU6Da9Im_tzj26amTfPnIHOP7vRaXn0lnB2DOiNRuHohQnjhhzvVMF7xzxCaBZM0LP83XSupZ2ksLtM3dXLNTJfoGJaOKKkVNEaZ3zhPgQTaeX15VQk4pkofZPFzyRtRMpbH0/w200-h150/baseball.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>Other than that, not much else, Oh yes, I was in the hospital with pneumonia last summer. It started out as a UTI but the doctor wouldn't see me until I had a Covid test, which took three days to come back, by then I was so sick I wanted to crawl in a hole. I begged the doc to see me since it was now Friday and I knew I couldn't go through the weekend without some kind of prescription. She finally agreed to see me and then made me wait in the waiting room for over an hour, Not one person came or went during that time, And when she finally called me back to the exam room, she poked my stomach, asked me a question and insisted I go to the emergency room, that I needed a Cat scan because I might have Diverticulitis, I didn't have one symptom of that. I knew I had a UTI, I've had them before. </p><p>So they hooked me up to an IV and were getting me ready for the Cat scan when the emergency room doctor came in and asked what was going on. I explained I thought I had a UTI and he asked if I had any labs. Nope, I hadn't so he said we'd get those before they did a cat scan. Praise God, he did, because he came back with the results. A UTI just as I thought. He gave me a prescription and sent me home. </p><p>Unfortunately, I was getting worse instead of better. So the next Tuesday, off I went back to the emergency room. And now I had pneumonia and was admitted. Probably got it because all I did was sleep the week before while waiting for the results from the Covid test and running a fever. I'm surprised I wasn't dehydrated, too. </p><p>Anyway, after four days, I felt like my old self and they sent me home, for which I was very grateful. </p><p>Now, I'm very happy that life is returning to normal. Masks are now optional (except for Medical facilities) and I take every opportunity not to wear one. </p><p>Hopefully, I'll keep up my blog better now that I'm aware of how little I've posted. </p><p>Happy Summer, everyone. </p><p><br /></p>Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-85542687518475655842020-02-17T13:48:00.000-05:002020-02-17T13:48:48.861-05:00February Half OverWow, here it is the 17th of February already. The month is going by quickly. Seems the older I get the quicker the time goes by.<br />
It's been a fairly decent month weather-wise. A few cold days, but mostly above normal temps, just like January. I hope that means an early spring and not that winter is delayed.<br />
The bad thing (in my opinion) thing about these warm temps is the flu seems to be worse this year. I think we need those cold temps to kill the germs. On the other hand different types of germs live in cold temps, so maybe it's a trade off.<br />
So far this year, my husband and I have been blessed to escape the nasty bug. Not that the flu season is over by any means. There's still a long way to go.<br />
It is nice, however to see the days becoming longer - I should say daylight, shouldn't I - the days are still only 24 hours long. And it's really been nice to see a lot of sunshine this winter. Normally the days are dreary, sometimes to the point of having to keep the lights on all day.<br />
Beginning March 8th, only a few weeks away, the time changes again and it'll be light even later. Can't say I mind. I just wish they'd leave it one way or other already. I hate they keep changing it. Of course, if they leave it to daylight savings time, it's going to be dark in the morning longer. If they leave it the way it is, it'll be dark earlier in the evening during the summer months. I think I'd rather have it get dark earlier. It's bad enough it doesn't get light until almost 8 AM in the winter. I can't imagine it not getting light until almost 9.<br />
I guess I don't have much to say about it. They've been talking about changing it for years and so far it hasn't happened. Probably never will.<br />
Today is a bright sunny day, and I'm enjoying it. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 50 again. Last Friday, it barely made it to 17 for a high. No wonder everyone is sick. Crazy roller coaster weather.<br />
We'll take the good with the bad and suffer the frigid winters every so often or the snowier than normal winters. And yes, we'll enjoy the warmer than normal also. We have no choice.<br />
<br />Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-75332903445205838532020-01-20T19:27:00.000-05:002020-01-20T22:32:45.193-05:00Welcome, Rita Lee ChapmanToday, I'd like to introduce a guest author to my blog, Author, Rita Lee Chapman. I was privileged to interview her recently.<br />
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It's my pleasure to interview <b><span lang="EN-AU">Rita Lee Chapman</span></b><span lang="EN-AU">. Thank you for joining us. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers and share something about
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<span lang="EN-AU">Thank you
for having me on your Blog-spot, Roseanne.
I was born in the UK and moved to Australia in my early twenties. Although I loved writing, it was not until I
retired that I published my first book.
Since then I have written another five books; there are three in the
Anna Davies Mystery Series and the others are completely different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">When
did you write your first book and how did it come about?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">When I
retired I wanted to write the book I had always felt was within me. But where to start? When you can write about anything it is not
easy to settle on a subject. Then I
remembered our holiday in Egypt – a mysterious land where anything was
possible. Where better to set a mystery? And so Missing in Egypt was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">I write
mysteries mainly, although some are romantic travel mysteries, others crime
mysteries. I have also written a book
for horse lovers, from teenagers upwards, Winston – A Horse’s Tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">When
you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you
make notes and collect ideas on paper beforehand?.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Being a
very organised , I would love to sit down and plot my books in advance! Unfortunately, I can’t. Sometimes I know the ending, sometimes I
don’t. As every writer will tell you,
quite often the characters take over the writing and take the story in a
completely different direction to the one you had in mind! My latest book, The Poinciana Tree, started
with the idea that the amazing Poinciana tree would make a splendid book
cover. I wrote the story from there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Would
you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Yes, I’d
love to. Here is the Prologue from The Poinciana
Tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjuAaSwJRBLaPRNVxxddDlEawjhXFGfguRWwQ9Yd-s7UWZs5KrOlC5J6BUDVa4DU9ld1HVVyyRMwWVH1e_ojA9XM073wi0vf2QszLt2NTbUqFZ0VoPDXkJhuKGZyrJuBvhb6zd4b_JQE/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="218" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjuAaSwJRBLaPRNVxxddDlEawjhXFGfguRWwQ9Yd-s7UWZs5KrOlC5J6BUDVa4DU9ld1HVVyyRMwWVH1e_ojA9XM073wi0vf2QszLt2NTbUqFZ0VoPDXkJhuKGZyrJuBvhb6zd4b_JQE/s200/tree.jpg" width="125" /></a><span lang="EN-AU">“</span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">She looked out
of the kitchen window at the spreading branches of the Poinciana Tree. She gazed at the familiar limbs, dotted here
and there with lichen, which formed a canopy over the grass. She thought of the picnics she had enjoyed under
its shade as a child and then, later, as a mother. It was summer now and the tree was covered
with the huge red flowers for which it was famous. So beautiful.
It was a tree she had loved ever since she was a little girl – right up
until that dreadful day. Now it only
reminded her of the things she most wanted to forget. She let out a long, deep sigh and turned
away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Who is your favourite character
and why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My favourite is Winston from Winston – A Horse’s
Tale. He tells the story himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Which of your books gave you the
most pleasure to write?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, it was Winston – A Horse’s Tale because the
story flowed so easily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b>What is the best marketing tip
you have received?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Write more books – particularly a series.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How would you describe yourself?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Determined
and creative, in the face of a challenge.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">What
do you do when you are not writing or reading?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">I enjoy
playing tennis, walking along our amazing beaches, swimming and
entertaining. My husband and I have made
some great friends through our tennis club and we socialise regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">If
you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">I love
travelling and have been fortunate to have visited many countries, but there
are always more you would like to explore.
Sicily and more Greek islands appeal at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">If
you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The tap
on the horse trough was always being left on by someone filling it up and then
forgetting about it, so a sign was put above it, stating that it was not to be
left unattended. Every horse that came
up for a drink stood and looked at that sign as if he was reading it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">What
is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The cover
has to appeal – I don’t like dark covers.
Then I look at the blurb and read the first page to see if I like the
writer’s style. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">Do
you have your own website? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Yes! </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.ritaleechapman.com/">www.ritaleechapman.com</a>. Here
you can learn more about my books, see photos of my latest travels and read an
interview from writers of all genres.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">Are
you working on a new book at the moment?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">No, The
Poinciana Tree only came out in September and I’m busy promoting it. I’m sure it won’t be long before I pick up my
pen again (metaphorically speaking) especially if we have some wet weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">Do
you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us
about?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">I have
combined the Anna Davies Mystery Series into one ebook and it is on Kindle
Unlimited for $3.99 until 11 April. I
would also like to mention that all of my books except the horse book come in a
large print version as well.</span></div>
<br />
Rita's Books<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI1rcvxLVMJNblUYE_cxVPD5FRdOW9FrIdt9eXS6DyBmLbE6OlBn4mA6z1XiObS-TQeydIqihuKBpM8VL1u9WeorhYnChuDHHQVrJ4J14fdIyWiAwhc9Bh4az6BkgHuH0zHUnbMcxr9I/s1600/egypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI1rcvxLVMJNblUYE_cxVPD5FRdOW9FrIdt9eXS6DyBmLbE6OlBn4mA6z1XiObS-TQeydIqihuKBpM8VL1u9WeorhYnChuDHHQVrJ4J14fdIyWiAwhc9Bh4az6BkgHuH0zHUnbMcxr9I/s200/egypt.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RvnEjZtwcyi4dHDuinjv0sFu95FjXEyY8C6zUJBNhnsai-J41hMqvwspQW1D7etgwqxZJO_hcHoy52zCyfNE64oxmlPqoJ3XJJBzNQdKpeuVIRU1qCquFKhn4cji9qCstNLnGfO0hdU/s1600/london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1001" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RvnEjZtwcyi4dHDuinjv0sFu95FjXEyY8C6zUJBNhnsai-J41hMqvwspQW1D7etgwqxZJO_hcHoy52zCyfNE64oxmlPqoJ3XJJBzNQdKpeuVIRU1qCquFKhn4cji9qCstNLnGfO0hdU/s200/london.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0YwxdWhin5yMnqy6V90T7KTGohwmUGsR5lDMyMVGxWmJrmZUghABmvoOtXqWXqTeAs7KgqDA-GdUabJD6iwO2QeGnArLFlucSz43zHaxP-XtDOasi9uE3h7lT1p812i5yYHU4m7v0-0/s1600/sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0YwxdWhin5yMnqy6V90T7KTGohwmUGsR5lDMyMVGxWmJrmZUghABmvoOtXqWXqTeAs7KgqDA-GdUabJD6iwO2QeGnArLFlucSz43zHaxP-XtDOasi9uE3h7lT1p812i5yYHU4m7v0-0/s200/sea.jpg" width="124" /></a><br />
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-66302473425243834062020-01-03T11:09:00.000-05:002020-01-03T11:09:10.868-05:00Twelve Days of ChristmasWell here it is January 3rd and many people have taken down their Christmas decorations and outdoor lights. Not me, I leave them up until January 7th the day after the Feast of the Epiphany, feast of the three kings or Magi. Whatever you want to call it. I do it because I celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas start with Christmas day and end January 5th, not the 12 days before Christmas that so many people, especially stores celebrate.<br />
It always annoys me that people misrepresent these days. Not to the point of getting angry or anything, just because the season is lost.<br />
It's sad to see all the colorful lights gone. Everyone is back to their busy life and Christmas suddenly seems a thing of the past. Even though only a week ago, it's seems so long ago. Gone are the Christmas Carols on the radio stations, I'd say Christmas movies, but Hallmark is still playing them, but all signs of Christmas are pretty much gone. Stores are putting out Valentine's Day decorations or spring merchandise. Don't look for a winter coat or clothes. All the spring finery is replacing them.<br />
Okay, you can still find a few things on sale, but for the most part the turnover has begun. I was in a store yesterday where shelves of Christmas merchandise was cleared to make room for the next season.<br />
I know Christmas merchandise is out before Halloween and people have grown tired of looking at it. Not me. I love it. but they could at least wait until Nov.1st to put it out. And can't they wait until January is over to put out the Spring merchandise?<br />
As for me, I'll celebrate the 12 days of Christmas and light my lights and enjoy the decorations for four more days, then I'll sadly put everything away until next year and hate the blah - albeit clean. uncluttered- rooms.<br />
Happy 12 Days of Christmas!!!Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-32169242066840727112019-12-31T22:14:00.000-05:002019-12-31T22:14:16.931-05:00Happy New YearWell, the Christmas Holidays are over and done. It was a busy month with a Christmas Eve Dinner on the 15th, dinner with my sister in law and brother in law and of course, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.<br />
It was a busy, fun month. And now, here it is New Year's Eve. Many years ago, we went out on New Year's Eve to a restaurant for dinner, drinks after and often ended up at someone's home. Eventually, we decided it'd be more fun to go to someone's house.<br />
I'm from a big family, 5 brothers and sisters, so needless to say, add in my parents, and we had enough for a party. Everyone brought food and whatever they wanted to drink.<br />
Once we had kids, we included them and the party grew. And then the kids got married and we started getting together with them, at our house at first and then at one of theirs. Grandkids came along and the party grew more.<br />
What fun and memories we made.<br />
<br />
Now, hubby and I stay home. It's easier and the kids do their own thing. That's fine. While I enjoy getting together with them, I don't mind staying home. It's getting difficult for hubby with his COPD to go out much.<br />
<br />
Funny, how quickly the years pass now. Seems like 2019 just started and here it is 2020. Oh, and does everyone remember 1999 and how worried everyone was about 2000 - that everything would crash. Here it is 20 years later and all is still well.<br />
<br />
Wishing everyone a blessed and happy new year!Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-50915923593773850772019-12-02T15:55:00.000-05:002019-12-05T07:22:22.942-05:00All Went Well<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<i><b>The Vow Renewal went very well. I thought it was going to be at the beginning of the service, but Pastor decided to do it in the middle, which was fine. Although my nerves would have calmed down a little sooner if it had been at the beginning. Actually, I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be. </b></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrZcs5k01oAmCqMMChXI4KFb4lb51tIP9EM_JiDkX4GBKzGZQw155J36kmPCGg5aYgazgadRxZTB_FWOWLeKMutT7btTRK_tB4W-JA-1Ja1BVioMfRmuB4TVlJcFwfu_HyB9IsHB0U6c/s1600/vows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrZcs5k01oAmCqMMChXI4KFb4lb51tIP9EM_JiDkX4GBKzGZQw155J36kmPCGg5aYgazgadRxZTB_FWOWLeKMutT7btTRK_tB4W-JA-1Ja1BVioMfRmuB4TVlJcFwfu_HyB9IsHB0U6c/s200/vows.jpg" width="150" /></b></a><i><b>The ceremony and service were beautiful and memorable. Much more memorable than our actual wedding. I don't remember much of it. I do remember it was a chilly day - normal for November in Ohio - and cloudy. At least until I walked down the aisle. just as I started down the sun came out and shined through the stained glass windows onto the aisle. </b></i><br />
<i><b>We didn't have a mass either, just the ceremony. The priest said a few words and that was pretty much all. Why didn't we have a mass? My in-laws (mother in law especially) wasn't too keen on our marriage, especially with me being Catholic. So, we talked to the priest about it and all came to the conclusion that out of respect for her, we'd forgo the mass. Probably wasn't fair to my parents when I stop and think about it. After all they did pay for the wedding. But that was the choice we made back then, so saying our </b></i><br />
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<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTMSmXS0JPIvZaw_4PfbPjMOw776N9OJNsWMbJ-FtHt45Dm89RMPn8GWHUodqab-atgHMjnCLAZ4ujjMP7Lkh4FWmgyi4XZTuzzpCH6_wWZJr6jcaUG61NZdoOXv9u_AZOmETgm9np6k/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="960" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTMSmXS0JPIvZaw_4PfbPjMOw776N9OJNsWMbJ-FtHt45Dm89RMPn8GWHUodqab-atgHMjnCLAZ4ujjMP7Lkh4FWmgyi4XZTuzzpCH6_wWZJr6jcaUG61NZdoOXv9u_AZOmETgm9np6k/s200/group.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></div>
<i><b>vows in the middle of our service was special. I was excited that most of my kids were there and some of my grandchildren. The party after was small, immediate family, pastor and his family. </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Thanksgiving was great also. My sons and their families came to dinner and my daughters (well two of them since one was out of town) were supposed to come after. My middle daughter came but my youngest daughter only stopped in briefly because a new grandchild, for her .was possibly on the way and she was off to the hospital. But, we still enjoyed the day.</b></i><i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>Next up is our Christmas Eve dinner on the 15th, hosted by my oldest daughter and all my children will be there as well as some of the grandchildren. For some reason we didn't get pictures on Thanksgiving so hope we get some on the 15th. I must be slipping. Looking forward to a busy December. </b></i><br />
<i><b>The 13th we're hosting my brother in law and sister in law for a soup supper. Haven't decided which soup to make yet. Guess I'll have to figure out something soon. Debating on trying a new one or sticking with an old reliable. I'm all for trying something new. And of course Christmas to be celebrated at my youngest sons this year. Looking forward to that also, he's trying something different, going to smoke a brisket. Sounds yummy to me. A busy year will soon come to an end. I'm looking forward to the new year, new things, and spending more time with my family. God is good!</b></i><br />
<i><b>Baby Isabella Nicole arrived on Dec. 3rd, weighing 6#4oz and 19 inches long. She's precious, as all babies are. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, sleeping" height="200" src="https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/79035892_10221985222367831_2109043278383939584_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ohc=k961Rnq-3pgAQkGs-NMDgW5RSB1au6hwjuMbexwvBxDTbBzUjxw4ciIBg&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=5798d2dda922871c6d50daff0175db48&oe=5E718F12" width="150" />Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-82961489848138865032019-11-24T06:53:00.000-05:002019-11-22T20:45:55.927-05:00Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Anniversaries<br />
<h3 style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</h3>
<br />
<h3>
It's that time of year again. As Thanksgiving approaches, I reflect on things I'm thankful for. There are so many, I decided to list them on Facebook, a new one every day. It's difficult to decide which one to post on which day.<br />I did this years ago and decided it was time to do it again as a reminder how blessed I am. </h3>
<h3>
Thanksgiving isn't just about turkey, dressing, and all the other delicious side dishes. While I'm grateful to celebrate the day with my family and enjoy the abundance of food, I look around and realize how blessed I am. Not all of my family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner and that's okay. They have other <br />
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obligations, other families to visit. But I'm fortunate to have my sons for dinner. My daughters and some of the grandchildren come later for dessert ,and before you know it, chaos rules. </h3>
<h3>
Oh what a joy to hear their laughter and watch them interact. Each one speaking louder than the other to be heard. Some call us loud and obnoxious, but that's okay. I love every deafening, boisterous minute of it. </h3>
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And so begins the holiday season. Well, actually it begins a little earlier for me. Since the kids take turns hosting Christmas, I started putting my tree up before<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanksgiving so everyone can enjoy it. - Not sure how much they enjoy it, but I love it and any excuse to decorate. Christmas is my favorite time of year and celebrating for more than a month suits me fine. </h3>
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This year, my husband and I decided to renew our marriage vows. Our anniversary happens to be today,, so we're doing it at church this morning. And it gives us another day to celebrate. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not a milestone year, but it's been 57 years. Several people asked why now, why not wait until 60 or why didn't we do it at 50. </h3>
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Why? Because although 50 was a milestone, we weren't in a position financially at 50 to host a party. And I don't want to wait for 60. I learned a long time ago not to wait for something. Would we still be here in 3 more years? Hard to say. Honestly it's difficult to say we'll be here in a couple weeks. And if we are still here in 3 more years, we'll celebrate again, just not with a vow renewal. Who says you have to do it at milestone years anyway? Isn't 57 a milestone. Isn't every year a milestone, especially in today's times? </h3>
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I look forward to standing before God, my family, and the congregation, repeating my vows and acknowledging to the love of my life that I'd marry him all over again. </h3>
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So, yes, another reason to be thankful. It's a good year, and I'm thankful for my many blessings. Praise God!</h3>
Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-75990484954544597032019-10-24T08:56:00.000-04:002019-11-22T20:48:34.316-05:00Cemeteries<a href="https://lakeviewcemetery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Garfield-300-pxl-w-vertical-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lakeviewcemetery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Garfield-300-pxl-w-vertical-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lakeviewcemetery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Garfield-300-pxl-w-vertical-crop.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've always had a fascination for cemeteries. Ever since I can remember I liked walking around, looking at the names and dates. The older the better. I'm not sure where this fascination came from or why. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm fortunate that my husband has accepted this strange quirk of mine and has taken me to several through the years. Once, while we were in his semi, the cemetery was next to the truck stop and we were able to walk there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favorite cemeteries is Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland,Ohio. Many famous people are buried here - The most famous, of course, is President James A. Garfield. Architect George Keller designed the Garfield Monument, which was dedicated on Memorial Day, 1880. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Garfield Monument stands 180 feet tall. Around the exterior of the balcony are five, terra cotta panels by Casper Bubel, with over 110 figures all life size, depicting Garfield’s life and death.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Memorial Hall includes rich, gold mosaics, beautifully colored marble, stained glass windows and deep-red granite columns. The stained glass windows and window like panes represent the original 13 colonies, plus the state of Ohio, along with panels depicting War and Peace. Standing in the main floor is a statue of the President sculpted by Alexander Doyle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Venture up 64 steps from the lobby to the outdoor balcony. On a clear day you can see 40 miles of the Lake Erie shore. We are called Lake View Cemetery due to the magnificent view that one can see of Lake Erie from the outdoor balcony.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another famous person is Eliot Ness as well as John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil Company of Ohio and first billionaire in the United States. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The gardens are beautiful as well as the statues throughout. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A smaller cemetery is in Twinsburg, Ohio - It was the setting in <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2Wg1bOz" target="_blank">Trouble Comes</a></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJX2ZfU0uFiVSG79kEGFDmcF44eFFvfxFOJYmKmkjnuNuCpltKSKP4uAPUF_9XLF3PoyeKQxduCoYK9ycFGSIr6M2YVOIoHSBG_tx1jqM9bslwxJjmEL8HVvzijK67A8A7cicdyEwIFSb/s1600/twinsburg+vault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="314" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJX2ZfU0uFiVSG79kEGFDmcF44eFFvfxFOJYmKmkjnuNuCpltKSKP4uAPUF_9XLF3PoyeKQxduCoYK9ycFGSIr6M2YVOIoHSBG_tx1jqM9bslwxJjmEL8HVvzijK67A8A7cicdyEwIFSb/s200/twinsburg+vault.jpg" width="200" /></a></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>in </u><u><a href="https://amzn.to/2Wg1bOz" target="_blank">Twos</a> </u> Twins, Moses and Aaron Wilcox are buried there. They were reportedly so identical only their closest friends could tell them apart. They were lifelong business partners, held all their property in common, married sisters, had the same number of children, contracted the same fatal ailment and died within hours of each other. The sandstone vault standing sentry at the entrance was born out of necessity The earth proved too hollow during the winter. Bodies lied in waiting until the ground thawed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A much smaller cemetery was one we visited several times in Hocking County. I'm not sure it even has a name. It's next to a vacant wooden church (another thing that fascinates me). Some of the markers are so old you can't read them. There are only about 25 graves there (give or take). We stopped there often on our way to and from the town of Nelsonville, when we vacationed in a cabin at Lake Hope State Park. There's something so peaceful about cemeteries. I'd often stop at the graves and wonder about the person who lived there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Strangely enough, I seldom visit the cemetery where my parents and two of my siblings are buried. I guess I'd rather remember them full of life. </span></div>
Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-55722329020739680432019-02-18T16:49:00.002-05:002019-10-24T10:30:23.247-04:00Soup, Soup, and More Soup<br />
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It's no secret in my family, I love soup. Just about any kind of soup. And I'm always willing to try new recipes. The latest recipe I tried was for Zuppa Toscana, a soup they serve at Olive Garden.<br />
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I came by this recipe on Facebook. With a few minor changes (some suggested by the person who gave the recipe) I made it. I must admit, it was delicious. Even my hubby liked it and he's not big on creamed soups of any kind.<br />
Another recipe I made recently was for Cream of Chicken soup - Can you tell I like cream soups. But truthfully, my all time favorite is home made chicken soup like grandma used to make. In my opinion, you just can't beat it. My mom also made this soup. Every Sunday. She stuffed the chicken first with cracker stuffing, Just before it was done, she took the chicken out and finished it in the oven. We ate the soup, with thin noodles - always thin, never wide noodles. To this day Chicken Soup tastes better with thin noodles. But that's neither here nor there. We'd eat the soup for lunch - usually around 1:00, then go to my grandparents' house. When we returned home,<br />
Mom put the chicken back in the oven to heat, made rice, (almost always rice but occasionally mashed potatoes) gravy, and a vegetable. That's what we had for dinner. I said earlier you couldn't beat the soup, that's not quite true. Chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes or rice, gravy, and vegetable were (are) my all time favorites.<br />
When I first got married, I continued my mom's tradition of making chicken soup every Sunday. Sometimes we visited my grandparents or my parents and sometimes my in-laws, and sometimes we just stayed home. Whatever we did, we followed the same routine of soup for lunch and chicken for dinner.<br />
Of course just being the two of us - except when my husband's friend dropped in - we always had leftovers and dinner for Monday and sometimes Tuesday. As for me, I could eat soup all week. With the exception of summer that is. I can't bring myself to eat soup in the summer even though I grew up with it. I can't remember exactly when but my husband asked me when I was going to make something American. American??? What was wrong with chicken soup?<br />
He said he'd like some fried chicken for a change. I didn't have a clue how to make fried chicken. My mother never made fried chicken. She made Chicken Soup, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Paprikash, and Chicken with Gravy, but never just plain old Fried Chicken. My first attempts at making it from a cookbook weren't all that good. The breading always fell off. To this day, I don't make good Fried Chicken. So I stick with Chicken soup.<br />
I'll never forget the day my mom told me that my dad said he didn't mind telling her he wasn't all that crazy about chicken soup. After fifty years of marriage and making soup every Sunday - that's almost 3000 Sundays she made soup. God love him, he ate soup every week and never said a word. Of course, we laughed about it. Mom didn't think it was too funny at first.<br />
I learned just how hurt she was when my husband informed me after 50+ years of marriage, the he wasn't all that crazy about carrots in the chicken soup. Seriously. I always made sure I gave him a lot of carrots and the poor man never said anything. Now, I'm very careful not to give him too many, which is fine, more for me. LOL<br />
I still make soup often, but not every Sunday. In fact, I make it any day of the week when I have a taste for it. I usually make a large pot and have it for lunch every day until it's gone. Nothing better on these cold winter days.<br />
Here's the recipe for the Zuppa Toscana. Try it, you'll love it. I made the low carb option.<br />
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You can find the recipe <a href="https://cafedelites.com/zuppa-toscana/?fbclid=IwAR0ai_yFMgqjYgxrv9gvze_2dfIMOCsIsgmZ7Sm6cS5DwcefeiA9j6HolOs" target="_blank">Here</a></h3>
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For a quicker easier crockpot recipe click <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/261337/slow-cooker-zuppa-toscana/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<div class="wprm-recipe-name wprm-color-header" itemprop="name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Zuppa Toscana</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Prep Time</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-prep_time wprm-recipe-prep_time-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">15</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-details-unit wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-prep_time-unit wprm-recipe-prep_timeunit-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mins</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Cook Time</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-cook_time wprm-recipe-cook_time-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">35</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-details-unit wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-cook_time-unit wprm-recipe-cook_timeunit-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mins</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Total Time</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-total_time wprm-recipe-total_time-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">50</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-details-unit wprm-recipe-details-minutes wprm-recipe-total_time-unit wprm-recipe-total_timeunit-minutes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mins</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Creamy Zuppa Toscana recipe, full of crumbled sausage, crispy bacon and tender potatoes in a creamy broth! Make this Olive Garden Soup right at home. Low carb option included!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details-name wprm-recipe-servings-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Servings</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.27px;">:</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.27px;"> </span><span itemprop="recipeYield" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="wprm-recipe-servings-link" href="https://cafedelites.com/zuppa-toscana/?fbclid=IwAR0ai_yFMgqjYgxrv9gvze_2dfIMOCsIsgmZ7Sm6cS5DwcefeiA9j6HolOs#" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; outline: none; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details wprm-recipe-servings tooltipstered" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6</span></a> <span class="wprm-recipe-details-unit wprm-recipe-servings-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- 8 serves</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-details-name wprm-recipe-author-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Author</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.27px;">:</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.27px;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-details wprm-recipe-author" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Karina</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Ingredients</span></span></div>
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<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tablespoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">olive oil</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">pound</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mild Italian Sausage</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">casings removed - (I used sweet Italian Sausage)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oz</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(125 g) diced bacon (I omitted the bacon)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">large onion</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">chopped</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cloves</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">garlic</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">minced</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">dry white wine</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">optional (I made it with and without, tastes fine either way)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">quarts</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">low-sodium chicken broth (I had homemade broth)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Russet potatoes</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">scrubbed, rinsed and sliced into 1/4-inch slices* (I used the cauliflower and one turnip)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cube</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">beef bouillon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">crushed</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">salt</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cracked black pepper</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">teaspoon </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ground fennel</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">red chili flakes</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">optional — adjust to your taste </span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">half and half or heavy/thickened cream</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">chopped kale</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hard stems removed (substitute with baby spinach leaves or Swiss chard) (I used the spinach)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fresh shredded parmesan cheese</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">for serving</span></span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tablespoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cornstarch (optional -- for a thicker soup)</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SEE NOTES (I used this also)</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="wprm-recipe-instructions-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-color-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Instructions</span></span></div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 22px; line-height: inherit; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Fry the sausage in a heavy based pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat while breaking up the meat with the end of your wooden spoon. When browned, and cooked through (about 10 minutes), drain most of the oil, leaving about 1 teaspoon of drippings in the pot. Transfer sausage meat to a plate.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Cook the bacon in the same pot/Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy (about 10 minutes). Drain, leaving about 2 teaspoons of drippings in the pot. Transfer cooked bacon to the plate with the sausage meat.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Sauté onions in the pot and cook until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.</span></span></div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">OPTIONAL: Add the wine and let reduce to half (about 2 minutes).</span></span></div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Increase heat to high, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Season broth with crushed bouillon, salt, pepper, fennel and chili flakes. Add the potatoes and boil until fork tender (about 10 minutes).</span></span></div>
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</li>
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</div>
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<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the heavy cream, cooked sausage, bacon and kale. Let simmer for 2 minutes, until kale leaves have softened.</span></span></div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-notes-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-color-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Recipe Notes</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">*For low carb option, replace potatoes with 1 head of cauliflower, chopped.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Cut potatoes into even pieces to ensure even cooking.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Chicken, turkey or beef sausages can be used.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">Pancetta can be used instead of bacon.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-weight: 600;">For a thicker soup, mix cornstarch together with 2 tablespoons of cream. Mix well until free from lumps and add it in along with the cream. Give it a good stir while the soup is boiling until thickened. Then add in the cooked sausage, bacon and kale. Continue on with the recipe.</span></div>
</div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-59008671095082240192018-12-28T23:21:00.000-05:002018-12-28T23:21:53.797-05:00Another Year Gone ByAnother year is nearly gone. They seem to go by quicker these days. Must be something to do with age. I would have thought with retirement the days would go by slower, but not so. A lot has changed these past couple of years. Last September, we purchased a new house. Well not new new. But new to us. So, we've been here for a year now. This is actually our second Christmas here.<br />
That's another thing that's changed a lot. Christmas. Usually, we get together with my brothers and sister on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, this year, my brother and brother in law were sick, so that just left another brother and me. We got together and had a very nice evening, but it sure was different from past Christmas Eves.<br />
Back in the day when our children were little, Christmas was lively, loud, and fun. As the kids grew, they married and had children of their own. Little by little they quit attending. They had spouses and in-laws to spend Christmas Eve with. It dwindled down to only a few and this year, none of our children were going to come.<br />
Another thing we quit doing was exchanging gifts, even our "funny gifts". Gag gifts that we started many years ago. Oh, the fun we had with those gifts. But it became more and more difficult to come up with ideas over the years. So, a few years ago, we quit doing it.<br />
Another thing that changed was Christmas Day for us. Usually, all of my children come and some of the grandchildren. This year my oldest daughter and her husband were out of town and my oldest son and his girlfriend hosted Christmas dinner at their house for her family. One of my granddaughters is deployed and another had a baby 3 days before Christmas, so needless to say, they didn't come, and three others had other plans. So even Christmas Day is dwindling somewhat.<br />
Not that it wasn't a nice Christmas, it was. We had a very good time at my daughter's and son in law's house, not to mention an excellent dinner. In lieu of silly gifts, my daughter suggested a white elephant game. Such fun.<br />
And, as the year comes to an end, I look back on all that happened this year, some good, some bad. One of my brothers in law was diagnosed with cancer, a sister in law with Alzheimer, another with Parkinson, and I lost a good friend. But I count my blessings and thank God for our health, family, and love we share. For the most part, it's been a good year.<br />
<br />
Wishing everyone a Blessed and Happy New Year! See you in 2019<br />
<br />
<img alt="Related image" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.advancehappynewyeareve.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Happy-New-Year-Wishes.jpg?resize=586%2C366&ssl=1" /><br />
<br />Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-19418284189473242272018-03-06T21:28:00.000-05:002018-03-06T21:28:01.511-05:00Meet Katherine Wesley <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hi, I’m
Katherine Wesley, but everyone calls me Kate. I’ve recently returned to my home
town of Twinsburg, Ohio after five years of living in self-imposed exile. Okay,
it wasn’t really exile, I left because my fiancé jilted me two days before our
wedding. Can you believe he didn’t even have the guts to tell me in person? Oh
no, he left me a note and took off to Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I left
town shortly after, because I couldn’t stand the looks of pity from everyone. I
know I wasn’t the first, and I probably wouldn’t be the last, but that doesn’t
help when it happens to you. So, I fled. I built a new life for myself. I even
opened a very successful flower shop in Clyde, Ohio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">But now
I’m back and I just opened my own florist shop here. Problem is, my ex is back
too. Not that I care. I mean seriously, I’m over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact my heart beat a little faster the
first time I ran into him didn’t mean a thing. Heck, it thumped twice as hard
when I met my client’s brother. Not that I’m looking for a guy, believe me, I’m
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good grief, I’m happy just the way
I am. I don’t have to answer to anyone, and no one has to answer to me. Nope,
I’m quite happy, thank you very much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Life was
fine until I visited my Aunt Kate’s grave, well mostly fine. I mean my ex and
Emma’s brother seemed to be vying for my attention. I never had that happen
before and, quite honestly, I could live without it. Talk about uncomfortable.
But the florist shop was doing well for just having opened. Emma’s wedding
helped that. Anyway, there I was, minding my own business, going to the
cemetery, and that’s when I found a dead body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Well let
me tell you, life turned upside down, backwards, forwards, and inside out.
Between my ex, Emma’s brother and the dead body, let’s just say things got real
complicated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To make
matters worse, the twin sister of the victim showed up in town. If you don’t
think that made life real interesting, well think again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You’ll
have to read Trouble Comes in Twos to find out what happened. Released from BWL
Publishing, it’s available from several
booksellers. You can find them all at:<a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance/" target="_blank"> BWL website</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Check out the rest of my books here on my blog,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt from Trouble Comes in Twos</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfV0jc2ylPoQ1aGv4V_JaFLdoMGZgZcLDWk_BeS4_p86oa1QEuoMLQ6YgDG_a2n-0iXY_piCFOkVWUcNhkwn4vxpd2rP6ZrOeMgeV7vqG-FxXKzoB2-aQlzaxm0Z7BZZbXDlWmij4SaEY/s1600/Dowell-TroubleComesInTwos150x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfV0jc2ylPoQ1aGv4V_JaFLdoMGZgZcLDWk_BeS4_p86oa1QEuoMLQ6YgDG_a2n-0iXY_piCFOkVWUcNhkwn4vxpd2rP6ZrOeMgeV7vqG-FxXKzoB2-aQlzaxm0Z7BZZbXDlWmij4SaEY/s1600/Dowell-TroubleComesInTwos150x225.jpg" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A shadow passed
over the doorway, and Kate realized she wasn’t alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adam stood in the doorway, a cocky grin on
his face. “Now that’s settled, how are you, Kate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kate couldn’t
believe it. Couldn’t he take a hint? “What do you want, Adam?” She didn’t care
if she sounded angry. He deserved angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adam came into the
work room and stood in front of her. “You look great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kate looked away.
So did he, but darned if she’d tell him. He looked too damn good. What was the
saying? Fool her once, shame on him, fool her twice, shame on her. Nope, she
didn’t need him, or anyone like him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, what do you want? I gave you all the
information on Emma. Shouldn’t you be out investigating?” She picked up a
flower and set it in a vase. Her heart beat so hard, it surprised her that he
didn’t hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look, I know
you’re still upset about the wedding, but give me a chance to make it up to
you. How about dinner tonight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m busy.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Still upset?</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The man had no idea<i>. </i>Like she’d pick up where they left off? Was
he kidding.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tomorrow then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m busy
tomorrow, too. Look, Adam, just go, okay. I don’t want to have dinner with you.
Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on, babe,
don’t be like that.” Adam moved a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t blame
you for being angry. But come on, it’s been five years.” He ran his finger
along her cheek. “The least you could do is give me a chance to explain. Not
that I’m sure I could. I’m not sure, even now, why I took off. Cold feet, I
guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kate trembled at
his touch. A spark of something familiar tumbled in her stomach. She pushed his
hand away. Try as she might, her anger shattered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How dare you walk
in here like nothing happened? Like we’re going to pick up where we left off?”
Kate spoke through clenched teeth. What she really wanted to do was lash out
and hurt him the way he hurt her, but a customer might come in and screaming
wasn’t going to help anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adam stared at
her, a look of confusion in his dark eyes. He just didn’t get it. He really
didn’t see anything wrong with what he did. Took the coward’s way out and left
her to deal with canceling all the wedding plans. What a jerk. “Look, just go.”
She turned back to her work and picked up a vase to fill her next order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adam ran his hand
through his dark, wavy hair. Hair she used to love to run her fingers through.
She could almost feel the soft, silkiness of even now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Give me a break,
Kate. Let me make it up to you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Part of her wanted
to give in, and part of her wanted to throw something at him. Stay strong, get
rid of him. No way was she picking up where they left off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The bell rang again, and before she had a
chance to react, Mark stormed in. Kate’s stomach did a flip at the sight of
him. What was wrong with her, reacting to these men this way? For five years
men had no effect on her. Now, in the course of an hour, the two of them
managed to get under her skin, causing feelings deep within she hadn’t
experienced in years. Feelings she didn’t want to feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mark stared at
them for a second. “I don’t know what the two of you have going, but why aren’t
you out looking for my sister?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kate shuddered at
the angry tone of Mark’s voice. “There’s nothing going on between us, Mr.
Westfield. I just suggested the very same thing to Detective Shaffer,” she said
just as angry. “Now if the two of you will continue this outside, I have work
to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll call you
later, Kate.” Adam acted as if everything between them was settled. Par for the
course. Wasn’t that always how it was? She got mad, spoke her mind, and that
was it. Over and done with. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nothing changed. Adam went on doing the
same things he always did. <span style="color: #fff2cc;">Didn’t matter if </span></span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">it
upset her.</span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Poker every Friday night with his friends, no matter how angry she got.
How they had managed to plan the wedding was beyond her. Not that he did any of the planning. Adam
didn’t even want to see the hall or listen to the band. No wonder he didn’t
have any qualms about canceling the wedding. He didn’t do any of the work for
it. Obviously, he wasn’t ready to get married. So why had he asked her? Asked
her, heck, he had insisted. Even when she suggested they wait a year or so. He
at least owed her an explanation. But did she really want to hear it?</span></span></span></div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-48571373186551202632018-02-28T01:00:00.000-05:002018-02-28T01:00:01.522-05:00Meet Mystery Author J.Q. Rose, Giveaway<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you, Roseanne, for hosting me this week. You're the final stop on my Winter Blog Tour for my newest release, <i>Terror on Sunshine Boulevard</i>. I'm celebrating this journey with you because you're the one who helped me with the manuscript and have been a wonderful supporter throughout my writing career. Sending you warm HUGS!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Reader, You can get in on the celebration too by becoming the lucky commenter to win a PDF copy of this paranormal mystery. Just say hi, send Roseanne a hug, or leave a comment below and you'll be entered into the drawing. Deadline for entry is Sunday, March 4, 9 pm ET.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why I Write by J.Q. Rose</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why I Write by J.Q. Rose</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About two years ago we attended a concert by Joseph Martin, a master pianist and composer of sacred music. When he played the piano, the music was so beautiful, tears surprised my eyes. Emotions of joy, inspiration, power, thankfulness filled the night as Mr. Martin shared his mastery of the piano and his anthems sung by our church choir. One after another were simply feeding my heart. What a gift he has for blessing others with his music.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Joseph Martin--Master of the Piano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com by nuchylee</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I listened, I realized this is what I want to do for readers. I want to give them joy when they read my stories. If a reader finishes my book, and the story is one she will remember for the entertainment, the surprises, the humor and the emotions that played through her as she read, then I have accomplished my reason for writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What about you? Why do you write? And for the reader, what are you looking for in a book of fiction and/or non-fiction?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For more information about this world-renowned composer and performer, go to<b> <a href="https://www.martin88.com/">Joseph Martin's website here.</a></b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J. Q. Rose<br />Paranormal mystery</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back of the Book: <i>Terror on Sunshine Boulevard</i> by J.Q. Rose</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders Not the usual calls for first responder Jim Hart. He expects slip and fall accidents or low blood pressure emergencies in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort. The ghastly crime scenes turn the winter time fun into a terrifying season of death and mystery when the authorities cannot track down the predator responsible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jim and his wife Gloria could escape the horror and grief by returning to their northern home, but concern for their friends and residents keep them in Florida. With the entire community in a dither over the deaths, the Harts participate in the normal winter activities of golfing, dancing, and pool parties with their friends to distract them from the sadness and loss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can Jim and Gloria work with the authorities to discover who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard and stop the increasing body count?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/4XoN8e">Click here to find out more about the book</a> </b>and/or to order from major digital booksellers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><a href="http://amazon.com/dp/B077W4DJ4V"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click here to order Paperback from amazon.</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* * *</span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About J.Q.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpR6hpXtdTDV_82mt-2X3pTrZyDniehtySLl3-psAMXS-ST2TnkMs8SlXakXXCCleipmj3Law2Ft64aGlrRcjXdMA7A-LoIXhSts9MzpX8-kqJiDwev9Gxpj4qD98q9jQOFXFQIGginiF/s1600/Close+up+800x600.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpR6hpXtdTDV_82mt-2X3pTrZyDniehtySLl3-psAMXS-ST2TnkMs8SlXakXXCCleipmj3Law2Ft64aGlrRcjXdMA7A-LoIXhSts9MzpX8-kqJiDwev9Gxpj4qD98q9jQOFXFQIGginiF/s200/Close+up+800x600.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author J.Q. Rose</td></tr>
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Her mysteries published by BWL Publishing are Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, Dangerous Sanctuary, and Deadly Undertaking. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She and her husband, Gardener Ted, spend winters in Florida and summers up north camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect with J.Q. Rose online at</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.jqrose.com/">J.Q. Rose blog</a> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor">Facebook</a> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4">J. Q. Rose Amazon Author Page</a> </b><b><span style="background: white;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bookswelove.com/authors/rose-j-q-mystery-romance/">BWL Publishing</a> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<br />J.Q. Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04710790553616621103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-67597134224798359992018-02-16T11:20:00.000-05:002018-02-16T11:20:01.162-05:00Mother Nature Has a Sense of Humor<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What else can it
be with the weather warm one day and freezing cold the next. January was a
bitter cold month. Not unusual to have sub zero temps for a few days in January.
It is winter, after all. This year it started the last week in December with temps
in the teens and went well into the first week in January. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before we knew it, by the middle of January the temps
were spring like – rising all the way to 55. Great time to take down the
Christmas lights and I took advantage of it. Many people did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">February started out up and down, but mostly below
average until the 9<sup>th</sup> and then a warm front moved in. Not that I’m
complaining mind. I don’t much like those frigid temperatures. Never did. Not
that I care much for the high heat of summer either. It could stay in the mid
to upper 70s all year long and I’d be happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This week has been fairly mild with temps working
their way up to 60 yesterday (2/15).
Today, it’s going to be 33, below average for this time of year. Next
week promises more warmth with highs in the mid 60s. Unfortunately, it’s going
to rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can’t have everything, after all it is winter in Ohio.
We’re lucky to have the warm temps. I’m hoping for an early spring, but I’m not
holding my breath. We often have our biggest snow storms in March. Heck, we’ve
even had them the last week of April. Yep, Mother Nature’s sense of humor
again. I guess no one told her Spring is supposed to begin March 20<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes I wish I can go south for the winter, but
then I think about it. I’m too family-oriented. I couldn’t be away from them
for that long. I know they’d get along without me just fine, but… would I get
along without them? Probably not. I like our get-togethers. Like having them
close at hand in case I need them. I’ve been blessed they all live within 15/20
minutes the farthest and five minutes the closet. If I have an emergency, I
know they’ll be here quickly. So call me a home-body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Getting through winter hasn’t been too bad since we
retired. If it gets bad, we just stay home. I’ve got a freezer stocked with
meat as well as frozen (homemade) spaghetti sauce and chili. We certainly
wouldn’t go hungry. I’m blessed to have my nephew plow our snow and they keep
the streets pretty clean around here, so we’re really not snowbound – at least
we haven’t been for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So Mother Nature can keep her sense of humor. I’ll
laugh right along with her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-70807122337119892842018-02-07T10:45:00.001-05:002018-02-07T10:45:46.826-05:00To Microwave or not - Call me old-fashioned<div class="MsoNormal">
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the representative posted a bowl to make popcorn in the microwave. Now, I love
popcorn as well as the next person. Haven’t made it in a while, but every so
often I get a taste for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdT7GhP5nyuYxhUHqDWZNs3o71e4fSTYNDwNkeEixV1CQr0lKdvAgI0fIg2xH6GdkGZrXaPt7R&usqp=CAc" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Rca 0.7 Cu Ft Microwave, Black" border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdT7GhP5nyuYxhUHqDWZNs3o71e4fSTYNDwNkeEixV1CQr0lKdvAgI0fIg2xH6GdkGZrXaPt7R&usqp=CAc" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I responded in the comment section that I didn’t have
a microwave. The representative replied that it was time to get one. I had to
chuckled and responded I didn't like them. She didn't reply, so I hope I didn't offend her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We just recently moved, and I got rid of two microwaves. Yes, two. And
I didn’t use either one. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One sat on a small cabinet in my kitchen for several
years, the other was stored in my attic. Why? It was given to me by my son to
use in our motor home. I had it in there for, maybe, a couple of weeks. Never
used it, and it took up valuable space that I could use for something else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, I got rid of them. It’s not that I don’t like
microwaves, they have their place and they’re great for some people. Just not
me. The only thing I ever used mine for was to reheat left overs, and even then,
it wasn’t often. If I was heating leftovers, it was usually for both my husband
and me. Took less time to do it on the stove. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we moved, I looked around the kitchen and, although
I have a lot of counter space, I couldn’t picture it anywhere. I prefer to keep
my counters uncluttered. I have a Kitchen-aid mixer and toaster on one counter,
and I’d really rather have them put away, but the mixer is too large to put in
a cabinet an hubby uses the toaster every day. He has a hard-enough time
pushing it back on the counter, let alone putting it in a cabinet, so it stays
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hence the reason I don’t have a microwave. Why keep
something I never use. Besides, making popcorn the old-fashioned way, on top of
the stove isn’t all that difficult and, in my opinion, just as quick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe there’s a little of Aunt Beatrice Lulu in me –
she loved to cook and bake from scratch. You can find Aunt Beatrice Lulu in my Family
Affair series – <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileMQfclGyVxPY50sTEoExIAKBtzbFtJ2-cNKqbbfAwOMPI0-A4WKi9u-cThi3YSWbKPIhE9ZJhAQaJmpNIaIp78WP56W6HYLyUYLJ33RahtJdCk5q0CSXxX7fy_pSOuaQasBDRkJd0eg/s200/Dowell-AllInTheFamily4-are.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">All in the Family</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph3cVNSL3bdBqKMRURhK6B6rjfICSbtyYGQ3PDRMQZVgRFGhiW5Ih0bbCP_u_EEW451Tf5dJsfP1CEzbqeTs3Htpo54onu7tEn363yayPvyhYMqrB8CJww7_3DOW5GgHu_KSbMWJCZas/s1600/Dowell-AllsWellThatEndsWell2-are.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph3cVNSL3bdBqKMRURhK6B6rjfICSbtyYGQ3PDRMQZVgRFGhiW5Ih0bbCP_u_EEW451Tf5dJsfP1CEzbqeTs3Htpo54onu7tEn363yayPvyhYMqrB8CJww7_3DOW5GgHu_KSbMWJCZas/s200/Dowell-AllsWellThatEndsWell2-are.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;" target="_blank">All’s Well that Ends Well</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR2n56fCsX5VBKRKBHDXvG3KWovAvHxRL0_uABcSkDM8DYpn0Lux_0ATUmuhOoCjZZA7CVpJF443x8oStW38tOurPcRYftGFYypuaerK4w3XDcdbGZvpFJsBK0f-0PWV-MrpJkffJZ7U/s1600/NothingVentured.small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR2n56fCsX5VBKRKBHDXvG3KWovAvHxRL0_uABcSkDM8DYpn0Lux_0ATUmuhOoCjZZA7CVpJF443x8oStW38tOurPcRYftGFYypuaerK4w3XDcdbGZvpFJsBK0f-0PWV-MrpJkffJZ7U/s200/NothingVentured.small.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">NothingVentured, Nothing Gaine</a>d</td></tr>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-52645385774451460302018-01-22T13:27:00.001-05:002018-01-22T13:27:53.484-05:00Losing a PetLast night, we lost Toby, our Bichon, who's been with us for twelve years. He<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOOER0oqHt6HqUxkN-U7wcv-OntSC1yzOmq5K7rwCGshb8MrIk6XvJf7GDPqBuX4WAySFkKoxtskzpyFydliMAMl-eln7j8TKgHt1jTXb8UC7IoyuMXVwTOEe5d7wNnJBXnMB-VU0NbA/s1600/toby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="960" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOOER0oqHt6HqUxkN-U7wcv-OntSC1yzOmq5K7rwCGshb8MrIk6XvJf7GDPqBuX4WAySFkKoxtskzpyFydliMAMl-eln7j8TKgHt1jTXb8UC7IoyuMXVwTOEe5d7wNnJBXnMB-VU0NbA/s320/toby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
hadn't been feeling well for several days, and after blood work at a Clinic, the results showed several abnormalities.<br />
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One of them was diabetes as well as hypothyroidism. Not being able to understand medical language, I couldn't figure out what else was wrong with him. Since the clinic we went to only treats well dogs - we took him for his update on shots and heart worm test - they recommended a blood test before they'd give him his shots.<br />
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After the results came back, they recommended we take him to a different vet and have him treated. The soonest I could get an appointment was Monday - today. Unfortunately, he didn't make it. We could see him going downhill throughout the day.<br />
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My husband and I both swear we could see him losing weight by the hour. We let him out as usual in the morning and he did his business, but was moving very slowly. He refused food, drank sparingly, and slept most of the day. Every time he woke up, he drank a little and went outside. At least, that's how most of the day went.<br />
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By evening, he could barely walk, went outside and lay down. I had to carry him inside. Eventually, he quit drinking and quit going out. I suppose we could have taken him to an emergency clinic, but honestly, since we're on social security, we really couldn't afford it.<br />
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Besides that, I don't think they could have saved him and it would have cost an arm and leg. My husband and I took turns sitting with him and comforting him. <br />
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Our other dog, Oliver, a Shorkie - cross between a Shitzu and Yorkie - laid a short distance away as if he knew what was going on. When Toby finally slipped away, Oliver came over to him, checked him over and sat down.<br />
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It's painful watching a loved one die whether human or pet. Toby was an excellent dog, well trained (very easily trained) and a wonderful companion. We shall miss him, but thankfully, we still have Oliver to help fill our time.<br />
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This morning we had the painful decision as to what to do with him. We really couldn't afford cremation, besides which no one in the family other than my husband and me would want his ashes. Our time here on earth is limited as we're both getting up in age. Why go through the expense of saving his ashes.<br />
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Fortunately, the vet we were going to take him to this morning had the solution - a common burial, the least expensive option. Toby loved other dogs and I'm sure he'll be happy with our choice. Toby loved to ride in the car, chase squirrels, company - especially my son, Tim, who always gave them a treat when he came <br />
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in. I swear they knew when he was company. It was like they recognized the sound of his truck before he even pulled in the driveway. Toby loved camping, too, and we'll miss him being with us this year.<br />
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We have many good memories with him and will cherish them always. He loved this house where he didn't have to be restrined on a leash and could run free in the fenced in yard.<br />
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Saying goodbye was difficult and we will miss him, but we know he's in a better place, pain free, and running with his new friends.Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-53230270100725046242017-12-31T10:04:00.001-05:002017-12-31T10:06:06.355-05:00Happy New YearAnother year has come and gone. The older I get the quicker they fly by. Lately, I've become more melancholy and reflect more and more on past Christmases and New Years.<br />
Well, mostly Christmases. New Years was always fun, but Christmas, let's just say Christmas was special. It was a time spent with family, full of laughter and fun.<br />
I think back to Christmases from my childhood. We always spent Christmas Eve at our house. Mom made a traditional Christmas Eve dinner and my uncle, aunt, and their four kids came over to share it with us. After dinner, everyone piled into their cars and we headed for Grandma's house.<br />
Eventually, we kids grew up and the Christmas Eve dinners with my aunt and uncle stopped. With six kids in our family, it wasn't long before we filled the table on our own. I tried to remember when we actually quit the dinners, but we never quit going to my grandparents - well, not until they passed away that is<br />
Christmas Day, after all the gifts were opened, found us at my uncle's for dinner. They did it that way because my aunt didn't know how to make the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Thanksgiving they alternated between our house and theirs.<br />
Funny, we had many other aunts and uncles, but for some reason my mom's brother was always the one we shared dinners with. They were very close. Partners in crime some would say.<br />
Ah those years were so much fun. I have many fond memories, not of gifts received, but of the good times. The years my uncle played Santa - long after many of believed.<br />
Then there were the Christmases shared with my brothers and sisters - We always celebrated Christmas Eve. In the beginning my mom made the traditional meal for all of us, but as our families grew that ended. There were 14 adults, counting my parents and our spouses, and eventually 24 grandchildren. A bit much to make a meal for. As my parents aged, we kids decided to take turns having Christmas Eve at our houses. Oh what fun when we all got together. Kids and adults in the kitchen, dining or living room. Sometimes the kids went off to the bedrooms, or basements. Anyplace we could find room.<br />
Of course, our kids grew up, married, and had kids of their own, with their own places to visit. My brothers, sister and I (a brother and sister have since passed along with my parents) still get together Christmas Eve. This year, there were only 3 of us as one brother went to Florida for the winter. We missed him, but understand. Some of our children join us as their spouses's parents have passed on also. This year there were actually 20 of us at my house. It's fun to celebrate the holiday with everyone.<br />
As far as New Year's Eve , we never did much through the years. Sometimes we got together with my siblings and went out, other times with friends, more recently at one of my children's homes. New Years Day has always been a quiet day. One spent at home. Everyone always had to work the next day and after staying up and celebrating the night before, no one wanted to do much. Besides, the parade and all those football games were on TV.<br />
So, as I look back over the years, it brings fond memories. This past year has been good to us in many ways. We camped - although not as much as I wanted to - and we bought a house, which I love. So I look forward to the year ahead and wish all of you a very Happy, healthy, wealthy, and successful new year.<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.bookswelove.net/authors/dowell-roseanne/" target="_blank">Books We Love</a> to see where to purchase them from your favorite online retailer. </div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-16788216539461593712017-12-16T09:42:00.001-05:002017-12-16T09:42:33.334-05:00Christmas Memory<br />
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<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for christmas in the 50s decorations downtown cleveland" border="0" 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" /></a>I always get nostalgic this time of year, remembering Christmases from my childhood. One of my favorite things from the season was going downtown to see the lights and decorations. We always parked and got out to walk along, looking in all the store windows. The windows in the department stores were decorated with animated characters. I could stand there for hours and watch them. Of course we didn't, we had to move along, and the next window was even more fun to look at. I miss those days, miss my parents, especially my mother. She always made Christmas fun, baking and listening to Christmas music. Fridays nights my dad went bowling and Mom brought out the baking supplies. What fun making cookies, being silly, and singing along with her. One of the things I remember most about my mom was her singing. She sang all the time, while washing clothes, cooking, baking, or cleaning - often making up her own songs. </div>
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<br />Another place we went to see the lights was Nela Park. The big GE headquarters. What a display they put on. We'd drive through the streets of the massive complex and oh and ah at the different displays. They quit allowing the public inside the complex in 1958 due to the traffic jams. This year, in celebration of their 93rd year of decorating, they allowed the public in on 3 specific Fridays. </div>
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My daughter, son in law, husband and I took advantage and went there last night. What a treat. They had displays from the 1920s to present day. Brought back a lot of memories, although I don't remember sitting in traffic for as long as we did last night. </div>
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I'm not sure which display I liked the most. They were all so beautiful. I've always loved Christmas lights and last night was a real treat. I'll always miss those days and think of them with fond memories. I hope I've passed on some happy memories to my children of special times. I think back on those days and even though we didn't have a lot, I never realized it, because we had a lot of love. We did things together that didn't cost money and it's more precious to me now than if I'd have had all the fancy clothes or latest toys. I never really missed those things. At least as I think back, I don't think I did. Maybe at the time, I wished I had more clothes, the newest toy, or expensive vacations, if so I have no memory of that and I'm glad. </div>
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Some pictures from Nela Park:</div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-64649454222186382372017-08-29T10:51:00.004-04:002017-08-29T10:51:59.115-04:00Waiting ----I'm not the most patient person in the world. In fact, some might say I'm the most impatient. But God is teaching me patience. Recently - actually several months ago, my husband and I decided to buy a house. The time was right - or so we thought. We got pre-approved, which went quite smoothly and our search began.<br />
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We found the first couple of houses we wanted to look at, made an appointment with a realtor to show them to us, and the waiting began. We made the appointment on a Friday to see the houses Monday. Big mistake - at least I thought so at the time. More on that later.<br />
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Since we had a limited budget, houses in our price range were few and far between, especially in the area we wanted to live. Just a month earlier, there were an abundance of them.<br />
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Come Monday morning, the realtor sent a message, one of the houses sold over the weekend. Day late and a dollar short. Okay, we went to look at the other one.<br />
Can you say small? I mean small. It was a 2 bedroom house with closed in porch. All newly remodeled. I found out why it was in our price range, not only did it not have a garage - which we knew going in - but the 2 bedrooms together would have made a small one bedroom. I've seen closets bigger than the smallest bedroom. I don't think a twin bed would have fit in there.<br />
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So back to the drawing board. Hubby and I both loved the other house from the pictures and drive by - well actually, I got out of the car and looked in the windows. It needed some TLC - anything in our price range would - but nothing we couldn't handle. Of course this drive by was before it was sold.<br />
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We found few other house over the course of a several weeks, but there was always something wrong that we couldn't go see them. We were going FHA so that limited how much work we'd be allowed to do. Either it wouldn't pass FHA standards, was a short sale, or sold before we had a chance to look at it. One house, that we really loved, was being shown to 30 perspective buyers. Realtor said there'd be a bidding war and wouldn't even show it to us. About that time, we were totally frustrated.<br />
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Coming up with an idea to increase our down payment, and therefore, increase the price point, I called the lender. He upped our price point and wouldn't you know it, not one house came on the market in that price range, everything was higher. Signs of an improved economy and seller's market in the area we were looking. Seriously, one would no more come on the market and be snatched up within a day or two.<br />
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Then we found it. The perfect home - or so we thought. A manufactured home in a 55+ community. Sounded like the solution to our problem. Best part was we could pay cash. Okay, it was old and needed updating and a lot of elbow grease and TLC. That was okay, we'd own it outright and only have to pay the maintenance fee. The community had a lot of activities and I hoped to get my hubby off the couch and involved.<br />
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There were a couple problems, though. They only allowed two dogs and they could only weigh 30#s together. Or you could have one dog up to 30#s. We have two dogs and I'm afraid they're both overweight. One of them was very close to the 30# limit. Would we have to get rid of one? Which one? How to make that decision? Of course, we only found this out after we put in an offer on the house, and it was accepted.<br />
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There was a stipulation to our offer, though. It was contingent on an inspection. We'd never buy something of that magnitude without one. So, $300 later, we rescinded our offer. There were some concerns about the electrical and he couldn't check the furnace because the gas was turned off. Also, a neighbor came over when we were outside talking and mentioned the skirting around the home. It hadn't been updated and the homeowners were supposed to do that. This was an estate sale and it was being sold As Is. They weren't willing to spend the money for it and the community wouldn't approve our residence if it wasn't done. The cost - upwards of $1000.00. <br />
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So, back to the drawing board. Talk about frustrated. But, I had faith. God had something in mind for us. I prayed about it right from the beginning, for Him to show us where He wanted us. We honestly thought it was the manufactured home. Everything seemed ideal and went smoothly. The owners accepted our offer without hesitation. No back and forth counter offer. And we loved the location of the home, right across from woods, met two of the neighbors who were really nice. We really looked forward to moving there. But alas, it was not to be.<br />
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Fortunately, for us, the first house that we liked came back on the market. Funny thing was, I told my hubby we'd probably end up with that house even after it sold. Something about it felt right. I was drawn to it right from the beginning.<br />
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I called the realtor who was handling the deal and made an appointment ASAP. It felt like home the minute we went inside. After we walked through it, hubby said, "Buy me this house." LOL We put in an offer contingent on the inspection and called the same inspector who did the manufactured home. He was very thorough.<br />
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I held my breath and prayed while he went through the house. A few minor problems later, that we could take care of ourselves, we sealed the deal.<br />
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So...now I wait yet again for the financing to go through. We're supposed to close in Sept. and move in Oct. Seems like such a long time away. In the meantime, I've already packed everything I could possibly pack, as well as gotten rid of a ton of stuff. And I'm making lists. I'm a list maker from way back, and as I get older, I make even more lists. I have a list of cleaning supplies we need to take over, a list of stuff I need to buy for the cleanup and, of course, lists of stuff I want. My wish list - like a new stove and carpeting.<br />
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I'm definitely learning patience. It's not easy, but I'm learning to live with waiting. Not that I have a choice. But I've become less anxious. I did lose 14#s through this whole thing so far. I figure it's all the packing and moving boxes I've done, because I'm sure still eating the way I always did. Stress might have something to do with it, but since I was pretty much a couch potato, I'm crediting it to the activity.<br />
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I can't wait to move.<br />
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Our house:<br />
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Check out my books at: <a href="http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/dowell-roseanne-romance-mystery-usa/" target="_blank">Books We Love</a><br />
<br />Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-53037385811475240872017-05-24T10:52:00.001-04:002017-05-24T10:52:15.214-04:00Memorial Day/Decoration Day<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #992211; color: #ffffdd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
This is a repost from 2014.</h3>
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As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend with cookouts and picnics, I'd like to take a moment to remember our Vets and talk about how Memorial Day started.</h3>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Originally called Decoration Day, it's a day of remembrance for the men and women who died serving the United States. More than two dozen towns claim to be the originator of Memorial Day. In 1996, President Lyndon Johnson officially declared Waterloo, NY as the birth place, but it's impossible to prove the origin of the day. It was originally started to honor the dead of the Civil War. </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">That being said, Memorial Day became a National Holiday and celebrated on the 30th of May in 1868. Its purpose was to decorate the graves of our men and women who died in defense of their country. The date of May 30th was chosen because it wasn't an anniversary of any particular battle. </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on the first Decoration Day and more than 5000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">By 1890 Decoration Day was recognized by all of the northern states, but the sout refused to acknowledge the day until after World War 1. </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress passed a bill in 1971 changing the date from May 30th to the last Monday in May. </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's all take a minute from our celebrations to remember the true meaing of the day.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to our men and women who serve our country in the past, present and future. </span></div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-69015987659013283662017-04-14T10:28:00.000-04:002017-04-14T10:28:23.317-04:00Aunt Beatrice Lulu is back<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7WnNo2vj-O8UHJTGVCOxiKOIv4GmDVBWB2zt7hjA7sw5vbEMMqc-NfBi_z1OW7jZDoZCUd4OuE9R6qPkV4V3AWfulE-IPLQzII7R3SgFrOCeI-E_0nJYNQO8F35Q4nI1OAr1mpd8Teo/s1600/NothingVentured.small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7WnNo2vj-O8UHJTGVCOxiKOIv4GmDVBWB2zt7hjA7sw5vbEMMqc-NfBi_z1OW7jZDoZCUd4OuE9R6qPkV4V3AWfulE-IPLQzII7R3SgFrOCeI-E_0nJYNQO8F35Q4nI1OAr1mpd8Teo/s200/NothingVentured.small.jpg" width="133" /></a>Here she is, the lovable, zany, nosy busybody. And she's involving Ed in her crazy adventures. Not that he's an unwilling participant. At least not after he agrees. Investigating the local dog rescue shelter to see what's making the dogs sick involves volunteering. Ed loves dogs, so not a problem for him. Besides, he has an ulterior motive.</div>
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Trying to figure out who's stealing food, is a little more involved. Add in a new neighbor and as usual, Beatrice Lulu is off and running.</div>
Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-78978519559855244722017-04-01T11:14:00.000-04:002017-04-01T11:14:49.653-04:00Coming SoonNothing Ventured - Nothing Gained (Book 3 of the Family Affair series)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Beatrice Lulu is back creating more havoc, but this
time she’s involving Ed. From testifying in court to investigating a dog rescue
shelter, she’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. When teenage orphans enter
the picture, things really get chaotic. Beatrice Lulu adventures of mystery and
humor take on new meaning when a new neighbor finds a note about hidden money
and gems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Beatrice
Lulu couldn’t get out of that courtroom quick enough. Once the judge said she
was free to go, she hightailed it out of there and hurried past the defendants
without looking at them. No doubt their faces were forever imprinted on her
mind. She leaned against the sink in the
lady’s room, fighting back nausea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They
didn’t get it. Not Ed, not Ethel or Lottie. None of them did. They thought it
was all cut and dry, but they weren’t there. They didn’t see how those guys
worked. Didn’t see the evil. Easy for them to say she had to testify. No skin
off their noses. All she wanted was to go home, live her life, and forget this
ever happened. She’d become a recluse, that’s what she’d do. She’d never become
involved in anything again. Her days of snooping were over. Callie could handle
it from now on, that’s what they paid her to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Read Book 1 - All in the Family </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcaGVyUDMGWLyFOs5uhMcnwY9wBCQ0gYkXgFAGU6-rKGiOdUj3NGhQUzuob3k4l2dERXJuKsTvCjZzWNPcprGUZfhQWhyphenhyphen2COVAvOTz8xWaJ1XDkW03G8Dc8ClCAi_liOjrFtqGVAG_Zc/s1600/Dowell-AllInTheFamily4-150x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcaGVyUDMGWLyFOs5uhMcnwY9wBCQ0gYkXgFAGU6-rKGiOdUj3NGhQUzuob3k4l2dERXJuKsTvCjZzWNPcprGUZfhQWhyphenhyphen2COVAvOTz8xWaJ1XDkW03G8Dc8ClCAi_liOjrFtqGVAG_Zc/s200/Dowell-AllInTheFamily4-150x225.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Taking over the police chief's job in her hometown should be easy for Callie Johnson. At least that's what she thinks. After working in a big city, small town crime should be a breeze. What a surprise when she arrives to find her grandmother, the judge, accused of murder. As if that isn't enough, someone attacks her while walking to her car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Between criminal investigations, her nutty family's antics, and her Aunt Beatrice Lulu's matchmaking, Callie has her work cut out for her. Will her grandmother be exonerated? Can Callie ward off her aunt's unsuitable suitors? What other surprises are in store for her? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Family-Roseanne-Dowell/dp/177299331X/ref=sr_1_8_twi_pap_1/161-4579398-2521814?ie=UTF8&qid=1491058192&sr=8-8&keywords=roseanne+dowell" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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Book 2 - All's Well That Ends Well</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYwJz9ObjaMYRT-LBSTuSZ_CfRewQnXC4AkcJzRaqYWKJZtVyhxsTEUxY2ZAi0k6unB08vsDsJvRgJJP-6W_WVHaKj5S7ykCuXgw3-OSRySKGMtQaKf-9leniczJQniyCcddI-8TT3CY/s1600/Dowell-AllsWellThatEndsWell2-150x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYwJz9ObjaMYRT-LBSTuSZ_CfRewQnXC4AkcJzRaqYWKJZtVyhxsTEUxY2ZAi0k6unB08vsDsJvRgJJP-6W_WVHaKj5S7ykCuXgw3-OSRySKGMtQaKf-9leniczJQniyCcddI-8TT3CY/s200/Dowell-AllsWellThatEndsWell2-150x225.jpg" width="133" /></a>Aunt Beatrice Lulu is back and creating more havoc than ever. When a body falls out of a chimney in their newly purchased cabin, she takes it upon herself to investigate. Just because her</div>
niece is Chief of Police doesn't mean she should mind her own business. Even her husband can't control his busy body wife. It doesn't end there, too many things happening for Beatrice Lulu to overlook. She's bound and determined to figure things out on her own.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alls-Well-That-Family-Affair/dp/1772993301/ref=sr_1_1/161-4579398-2521814?ie=UTF8&qid=1491058192&sr=8-1&keywords=roseanne+dowell" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-22667416579927675102016-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-23T00:00:06.662-05:00Another ChristmasHere it is - another year gone by. The years seem to fly by now. I mean seriously, I'm still waiting for February 2016. They say time flies when you're having fun. (Whoever "they" are.") I've got news for them. The older you get, the quicker time goes by no matter how much fun you're having.<br />
Not to say life isn't fun. For the most part it is. Or at least as much fun as you make it. But let's face it, life's complicated. It's full of ups and downs, peaks and valleys. You're rolling along and things are good. Suddenly it changes, Life's not always easy.<br />
It's full of conflict. How we react to it is what's important. Me - I have my faith. With God all things are possible. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13<br />
Sometimes I forget.. But I know deep down - ....All things work together for good.... Romans 8:28.<br />
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Okay, I didn't mean for this post to sound preachy. Back to how time flies. Seems like just yesterday I was putting up the tree and suddenly it's a year later and time to put it up again,<br />
So much has changed this season. For starters, I didn't put up my big tree. There are several reasons. <br />
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One - and the one I use most - I added a rocking chair to our living room. In order to put up the tree, either I or my husband would have to take the chair up or downstairs.<br />
Since he has COPD, I knew he couldn't do it, and I just didn't have it in me to do it. It would have been a struggle, but I would have managed. Of course then I would have to bring it back after Christmas. I didn't relish the thought.<br />
I could have asked one of my sons, but they have their own things to do. I didn't want to bother them. Besides that, I'm not a patient person. When I want something done, I want it done now. I hate waiting for things or someone. LOL<br />
Usually I put my tree up right before Thanksgiving because the kids all came to our house either for dinner or later for dessert, and we do Christmas at someone else's house. Hence, if I wanted everyone to see my tree (not sure why that's important) I put it up before.<br />
Another thing that changed this year, my youngest son hosted Thanksgiving. That was fine, I didn't mind.<br />
Of course I made my own turkey the day after just so I could have leftovers, and I really did miss cooking. It's the first time in probably 30 years that I've not made Thanksgiving dinner.<br />
Anyway, back to the tree. I sat here and thought about it for a long time. I finally told my husband we were going with a little tree this year. I really wasn't keen on it, but it beat the alternatives. One of the stores had a 3 ft tree on sale, so off I went to purchase it. I came home, opened the box, and set it up on the table in front of the window. I wasn't all that crazy about it, but it was inexpensive and would serve the purpose.<br />
Of course, I had to haul down the boxes, no easy feat, but hubby grabbed them about half way down so I didn't have to do a lot of running up and down. I didn't bring everything down. It was just too much and my heart wasn't in it.<br />
I put 2 strings of lights on the tree - one white, one colored. I love the combination. I had several boxes of smaller ornaments - remnants of my pencil tree days (that only lasted a couple years. Give me a big tree any day.) Of course that meant my star didn't fit on this small tree, so it remained without a topper. No problem, I knew I'd pick one up eventually.<br />
A week later, I found the perfect star at the dollar store. It was actually an ornament, but the perfect size for the smaller tree. I wired it on and pulled a couple white lights behind it to shine through.<br />
And then I lit the tree.<br />
I stared at it, unbelieving. The bottom half of the tree looked great. White and colored lights sparkled. However, the whole top of the tree remained dark. Neither white nor colored lights were lit. Okay, if it was just white lights I could understand it. I'd pulled on them a bit and maybe loosened a bulb. Of course, I searched for a loose bulb and couldn't find it. Besides it made no sense at all that the colored lights weren't lit.<br />
Thoroughly disheartened, I wanted to throw the whole thing out the window. I wasn't thrilled with it to begin with. I really wanted to cry. Silly, I know, after all it was just a tree, and there was an easy solution, get new lights. Right?<br />
Not so easy. In order to string new lights, I had to take all the ornaments off (not that there were many, after all it was a small tree) then remove the lights, then restring new lights - which I'd either have to dig through all the boxes upstairs or buy new.<br />
You'd have to see my stairway to know how difficult going upstairs is. It's just an attic for storage and I seldom go up there. Lacking storage in the kitchen, I use the steps as shelves for potatoes, onions, paper towels, crock pot, dog food, etc. Yeah, about six steps are full of stuff.<br />
So, I sat and stared at the tree, debating about what to do. I got up and played with it a few times, wiggling the lights, hoping they'd work. No such luck.<br />
Finally, I opened my laptop, put Home Depot and then Lowes in the search engine and found 4 1/2 ft pre-lit trees. They happened to be on sale at Lowes. Perfect solution! Still not my big tree, but I wouldn't have to move any furniture and I wouldn't have to fool with this tree. Like I said I wasn't overly thrilled with it. Since hubby didn't want to take me, off I went by myself.<br />
Of course, when I looked at the trees all I could find were the big ones and had to ask at the service desk. A nice man took me right to them - on a shelf that I couldn't reach. I picked up a string of colored lights since it already had the white lights and headed home.<br />
It didn't take long to move the little tree (decorations and all) and set this one up. I added the string of colored lights, took the ornaments off the little tree, and decorated the new tree. I was going to add more ornaments, but after I sat back and looked at it, I decided it looked fine. Hubby agreed, of course he agrees with most things.<br />
I felt much better with the new tree and my mood lightened.<br />
I know Christmas isn't about the tree or the gifts, but for some reason the tree really bothered me. Maybe it's the fact I'm getting older and can't do as much as I used to. I even cancelled our traditional Christmas Eve dinner that I make the week before Christmas (everyone can't get together on Christmas Eve and there's too much going on that day anyway).<br />
After almost falling down the basement steps, and there would be so much running up and down just getting the room ready for everyone, I decided not to risk it. The basement was a mess and needed a good cleaning before I even set up the tables. Plus, I'd have to borrow chairs again. It was just too much.<br />
It saddens me to have so many changes this holiday season, from not having Thanksgiving dinner to not having our traditional meal. Last year, I had Thanksgiving, the traditional dinner, and Christmas Day. It's probably the last time I'll be doing any of it.<br />
I'm not really ready to give it up. At least not mentally and that really affected me. I didn't even decorate the whole house, my heart wasn't in it. But I feel better now with the newer tree. God's given me the peace to deal with it. I'll celebrate the real meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ.<br />
Wishing every blessed and Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays (whatever you celebrate) and God's richest blessing to all, or as Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, everyone!"Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806526271153996991.post-50321395669614184832016-12-17T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-17T15:38:44.501-05:00Did you ever have a feeling something bad was about to happen?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Kind of a
premonition, intuition, omen or whatever you want to call it? I’m sure at some
point in your life you’ve experienced ESP. I mean we all have, haven’t we?
Especially with a spouse or sibling. I bet sometimes you even finish each
other’s sentences. Nothing unusual in that, is there? Not at all. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But I experienced something even stranger. Oh, I’m Rebecca Brennan. Can’t
expect you to read my mind, can I? I
have this rare connection with someone’s mind. I feel what he feels, hear what
he hears, and even know what he’s thinking. Not all the time, just sometimes.
Thank God for that. I’d hate to know what he’s thinking all the time. I even feel his pain. Trust me, that’s not good. In fact, none of
it’s good. I mean seriously, how would you like to wake up in the middle of the
night, screaming in pain and there’s absolutely nothing physically wrong with
you? Trust me, you wouldn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s exactly what happened to me in Entangled Minds. I have these
strange visions about someone else’s life. Some might think it’s a unique gift.
Believe me, it’s not. Determined to find out who shared my mind, I visited a
parapsychologist on the advice of my best friend. We finally resorted to
hypnotism to see if that would reveal the answer. Problem was, once I
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">became endangered too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Entangled Minds is available from <span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Amazon</span>
and only 99 cents for a limited time,
Get yours today, makes an excellent Christmas gift. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s an excerpt from my book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">“No!” Rebecca sprang up in bed. Hot searing pain bore
into her shoulder. What was happening to her? A warm sticky substance flowed
from her shoulder. Oh God, there was going to be blood. From the feel of it,
lots of blood. Half afraid to look, her
hand trembled as she slowly brought it in front of her face and looked at
it. Dry, no blood. What was going on? These kinds of things
happened way too often lately. Okay, they were dreams but still. They were so damn real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Rebecca eased off the bed. Her feet felt like lead
weights as she walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. After a big
gulp, she hurried back to bed. Shivers racked her body even with the blanket
pulled up to her chin. A minute ago sweat soaked her skin. Now she couldn’t get
warm. Someone’s life had invaded her mind. She didn’t know who or where they
lived. And she sure as heck didn’t like it. These were more than dreams. Most
of her visions happened while she slept, but they were real. Besides, too many
occurred during the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">The pain eased, but fear and danger lingered. Curling
up, she pulled the blanket tighter, closed her eyes, and willed herself to
sleep. Strange visions played in her mind. Red, white, and blue flashing
lights, fire engines, ambulances, and police rushed around calling
instructions, trying to control panic and hysteria at the scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Rebecca rubbed her eyes, trying to erase the visions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">“If only I knew how to find this person. Maybe then I’d
find out what these dreams and visions mean.” Her voice startled her in the
quiet room. Snuggling deeper in bed, pushing the thoughts away, she tried to
sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind wouldn’t be still. The
visions persisted. Was she going crazy?
Maybe Allison was right to force her to see a parapsychologist.</span><span style="color: #2e74b5;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Roseanne Dowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.com0