by Lynn on January 27, 2012
Now that we are in the swing of basketball season,
I’m reminded that I need to improve my photography skills.
Gyms are poorly lit, which complicates matters for any photographer.
Plus, yelling things like “Don’t hurt my baby!” makes the camera shake.
That pesky basketball has a knack of knocking her in the face.
I think I’m going to contact our athletic director,
and ask him to order the basketballs that DON’T hit her in the face.
My orthodontist will support me on this request, I’m certain.
Perhaps the risk of personal injury is worth it,
considering the camaraderie one experiences on a team.
Judging by the ferocity which which my kid plays,
I won’t be able to get her off the court anyway.
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This post brought to you by Moms Who Bite Their Nails.
By the end of basketball season, we won’t have any nails left.
by Lynn on January 25, 2012
Lately, I’ve been getting weird looks.
I don’t understand it. All I’m doing is taking notes.
I mean, are “to do” lists that archaic?
Is that why I’m getting so many strange looks?
Wait a second.
These aren’t my pens.
My brother gave them to me.
For Christmas. As a gag gift. Really.
See?
.
This post brought to you by Writers Who Need Some New Pens.
We shouldn’t go out in public with the pens they have.
by Lynn on January 23, 2012
A cold, dark winter’s day needs two things:
a blanket and a good romance novel.
Here are some of my favorites:
Separate Beds, by Lavyrle Spencer
I read this book shortly after I graduated from college, and it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with the romance genre. The story illustrates how love can change a person for the better. In this book, love appears in the form of an unexpected pregnancy that brings the hero and heroine together in a marriage of convenience. The marriage gives the heroine a chance to escape from the tyranny of her alcoholic father, and motherhood gives her the unconditional love she has always hungered for. It is a delight to see the hero fall in love with her and their baby.
The Devil Wears Plaid, by Teresa Medeiros
I’m a sucker for a great Scottish Highlander romance, and this certainly qualifies. The hero and heroine are likable and endearing, and it is so much fun to watch them fall for each other. Teresa Medeiros is one of my favorite authors, and I think this story is one of her best. I refer to this book whenever I want to remind myself of the level of writing I aspire to – every page is beautifully crafted.
Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
Normally, I don’t like time travel books, but a fellow author recommended that I try this one. I purchased it at Christmas and couldn’t put it down. Now I keep it in my car so that I can reread portions of it while I’m waiting on carpool line. Outlander is a long book, but it is one of the absolute best historical romances I’ve ever read. The heroine accidentally gets transported back into 1743. In order to survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior, who promises to protect her from an English soldier who believes she is a spy. A passionate love springs between Claire and Jamie as they circumnavigate a world fraught with danger. When Claire has the chance to return to her own time, she choses to stay with Jamie only to watch him get captured by the man who seeks to destroy him. Can she save the man she loves?
.
I must admit that I really like to read books that contain explicit sex scenes that are tender, passionate, and move the plot forward. Not surprisingly, my favorite romance novels are no exception.
What is one of your favorite books?
by Lynn on January 20, 2012
Something weird happened a few weeks ago.
A flamingo suddenly appeared in our yard.
This was weird, because we don’t even live in Florida.
My ferocious guard dog didn’t notice anything amiss.
She was too busy, er, chasing dust bunnies.
The flamingo in our yard presented a complex, highly troubling problem.
You see, we “flamingo-ed” more than one person a few weeks ago.
As a result, we had no idea who returned the favor.
Oh, what a tangled web of deceit we weave.
However, I noticed that this flamingo was suitably attired for the holiday.
Whoever pranked us had a highly developed sense of style.
Then I noticed the break in the wood where my daughter snapped the post in two.
There was only one location where she nearly decapitated a flamingo.
That’s how I deduced who pranked us back.
So now, the planning and plotting begins to prank back my neighbors.
It’s going to be a very good year…
Mwah ha ha ha.
by Lynn on January 18, 2012
A few days ago, we said goodbye to an old family friend…
At first, she lived with my parents. Then she took my hubby to work.
She is our first car that made it past 100,000 miles.
And then some…
Rather like living past 100 in human years, no?
The car still ran great, but it felt like the right time to say goodbye.
I wasn’t looking forward to the car-buying “experience.”
Years ago, a salesman told me to “bring your husband so we can strike a deal.”
I was stunned that he didn’t think I could “strike a deal.”
In his defense, perhaps I looked tired.
Perhaps he thought I forgot my checkbook.
Perhaps he was just a jerk.
This time around, I was pleasantly surprised.
My salesman was terrific. He didn’t think I looked tired.
He didn’t even ask me to bring my husband to “strike a deal.”
As a result, I don’t have a weird car-buying story to relay…
but I am certain that some of you do.
.
What are some of the goofy things a car salesman said to you?
by Lynn on January 16, 2012
A few weeks ago, we acquired a number of new things that go “beep.”
Most of us were happy about the development.
One of us wasn’t.
The new heart-rate monitor watch beeps.
And now we have TWO cell phones that beep.
My dog is not happy about the new additions to the family.
At first, she tried to be brave.
She tried to make friends with the beeps.
See, Mommy? I'm perfectly calm.
Her valiant efforts were for naught.
It’s obvious that she’s consumed with worry.
Was that a beep?
I try to distract her.
Especially if I’m expecting a text message…
It works for a little while.
Until she hears a “beep.”
Then I lose her.
Everything around here beeps.
The timer. The cell phones. The watch.
My dog has gotten neurotic about the sound.
Whenever she hears it, she runs and hides upstairs.
.
What should I do?
.
This post brought to you by Beeps.
We terrify Shelties.
by Lynn on January 13, 2012
It’s been a weird winter around here.
So far, this is as icy as it has gotten:
When I walk the dog, it looks downright summery outside.
I have no explanation for this weirdness.
Even the bluebirds who sit on the fence seem to be saying,
“What the heck is going on around here, Writer Lady?”
Yes, I talk to the animals. Is that weird?
Forget about that. There is something even weirder:
It’s chocolate wine.
FYI – sometimes two rights CAN produce a wrong.
While we’re on the subject of wine, I discovered a new way to transport it.
Have no worry. I haven’t spent the entirety of 2012 guzzling spirits.
I’ve also spent a goodly amount of time exercising.
I even hit the tennis ball a few times.
Afterwards, I nourished myself with a wholesome snack.
Even though we’re only 13 days into the weirdness of 2012,
I can honestly say it’s been a darn good year.
.
Happy Friday the 13th!
by Lynn on January 11, 2012
I’ve never mastered the art of getting around a city.
Whenever I’m in one, I feel completely ill-at-ease and lost.
Rather like finding myself atop a rugged mountain with no way down.
Finding myself in a mass of people gives me vertigo.
The hustle bustle of a crowded city sidewalk can leave me paralyzed.
So if you see me standing wide-eyed on a sidewalk,
please smile at me and say hello. It will make me feel better.
And then could you please take my hand,
and lead me to the nearest source of chocolate?
And then could you please stuff me in a taxi and send me back to the country?
And then could you please tell me that I never have to go to the city again?
And then could you please move all the museums and cool city stuff
out to the country?
And then could you please teach me how to navigate the city?
Because if we move all this cool stuff to the country,
I’m going to find myself in the city again,
and I’ll have to return to the city
just for some peace & quiet.
.
This post brought to you by City-Phobics.
We don’t know how to cure ourselves.
by Lynn on January 9, 2012
The great thing about dogs is that they aren’t human.
Dogs don’t worry about showing their vulnerabilities.
They will go the extra mile to show how much they need you.
Dogs will make fools out of themselves, just to stay beside you.
We humans, however, are prideful creatures. We try not to appear needy.
Waiting for his family to walk through the door...
I think the world would be a better place,
if humans acted more like dogs.
Still waiting...
If you are lucky enough to have a dog fall in love with you,
there is never any question in your mind that they adore you.
I think that’s one reason why it is so hard to say goodbye to them.
Just last week, our family had to say goodbye to Riley.
He had osteosarcoma – a bone cancer that is common to his breed.
Riley, pictured above as a puppy, belonged to my brother’s family.
He was the first Irish Wolfhound we met. At first, we were stunned by his size.
Then we were impressed with his character. All he ever wanted to do was love his family.
Perhaps that is the greatest lesson our dogs teach us:
Do everything you can to show your family you love them.
Because that’s all we really want… to know we are loved.
What an important gift to give (and receive) every day.
by Lynn on January 6, 2012
Resolutions are like diets.
I’ve never had one that lasted more than a month.
So this year, I’m making resolutions that I know I’ll keep.
#1 – I resolve to celebrate more often.
#2 – I resolve to drink only from screw top champagne bottles,
because they crack me up.
#3 – I resolve to figure out how to remove that weird thing from between my legs.
#4 – I resolve to spend more time with friends.
#5 – I resolve to spend more time with friends who bring me pie.
#6 – I resolve to share pie with friends instead of eating it all myself.
Actually, that’s not my real resolution for this year.
In 2012, I am going to do something scary.
.
There are a couple of things that I’d really like to try, but I’ve been too timid to attempt.
One of those things is as simple as driving to Philly to see the Museum of Art.
This year, I’m going to tackle a few of my “wishes.”
.
Okay, now it’s your time to confess.
Tell me one of your resolutions for 2012.
Lynn Kellan is a romance novelist devoted to finding the love and the funny in every story. Her novella will be available in 2012, but she is always here to focus on the lighter side of life. 
"You make me start my day with a smile!" from Ravit
