tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77311595523357608872024-03-18T12:02:53.710-04:00KILLER HOBBIESMystery authors discuss the hobbies that interest them and the craft of writing.Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.comBlogger3735125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-46194661824351663802024-03-15T03:30:00.003-04:002024-03-15T03:30:00.133-04:00<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ5Q0bGymsI0fi_brDHHiou43p5SgLehimbF286zD-8uKiTMggR56y5nfGbCSHqdR9PUewDK4l4JpzamdA1z818W98LwsPIs_XB1AqI0pPohZTKQtBIimZXW0wprq1jBqDQwFiHZIi0KQXq88FM5Y0993xNNH9LV3Fk1HdnWiX8Oh604KWUkBfxnL7M4/s427/stress%20crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ5Q0bGymsI0fi_brDHHiou43p5SgLehimbF286zD-8uKiTMggR56y5nfGbCSHqdR9PUewDK4l4JpzamdA1z818W98LwsPIs_XB1AqI0pPohZTKQtBIimZXW0wprq1jBqDQwFiHZIi0KQXq88FM5Y0993xNNH9LV3Fk1HdnWiX8Oh604KWUkBfxnL7M4/s320/stress%20crochet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Today when I awoke, the mugging feeling inside was gone. The air felt light and the sun streamed in the kitchen windows now that it is high enough in the sky to clear the redwoods that grow along our back fence. When we planted those trees, it never occurred to me that they would eventually block the sun in the winter.<p></p><p>The hope is that the Santa Ana winds will dry up all the moisture that got under our house during the recent rains, but not drop any live electrical wires in the yard or blow over any of those redwood trees. As the Gilder Radner character, Rosannadana, used to say "It's always something."</p><p>Watching the lime tree shake around with the almost constant wind gusts has upped my stress level again. It started with the rain issues on top of deadlines. I did send in the edits of KNOT DEAD AGAIN on time on Monday, but it only cleared the way for finishing Classy Yarns by the March 31 deadline.</p><p>Luckily, I have come up with a way to deal with it and that gives me something to show for it. You probably already guessed that it has something to do with crochet. In the Crochet Series, I talk about one of the characters having an emergency kit to deal with her anxiety. It's a ball of string and a crochet hook meant be used and reused. She just makes a chain of crochet stitches not meant to become anything. I wanted some different. Something that wouldn't make me tenser by being too complicated, but would be pleasing and become something usable.</p><p> I have an affinity for granny squares because,well, leaning to make one literally changed my life. So I grabbed a J hook and some Red Heart Yarn called Stripes and started a granny square. As soon as it began to take shape, I felt my body begin to unclench. The original plan was to mix in some rows of black yarn, but I didn't want to have to worry about changing colors and weaving in all those ends, so it has become a growing granny square of the the one yarn. The bright colors make me smile and every time I work on it, I feel the stress dissolve. Unfortunately, the stress does come back, but then I take a crochet break and feel better.<br /></p><p>Eventually, it will be the size of a small throw and hopefully a reminder of how healing it is to work with yarn. <br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-83029908856438737602024-03-13T04:30:00.009-04:002024-03-13T04:30:00.133-04:00Home Again<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I was traveling just before the last
time I posted here, although I’ve now been home for a week. I set my blog to
post before I left since I wasn’t sure what my internet access and time would
be. Internet access good. Time iffy since my husband and I had gone to Indiana
to take care of our grandsons while our son and d-i-l were on a trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All went well, or at least I think
so. Our grandsons were in school some of the time, and told us what they wanted
to do when they were home. It helped that our wonderful d-i-l left detailed
instructions about what we needed to accomplish, including the times we needed to
accomplish them.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And I did get a little editing done
while the grandsons were in school. Not much other writing, although as usual I
came up with, and worked on, new and ongoing ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">I missed our dogs, though. Our younger son, who
lives in the L.A. area, took care of them for us so I know they remained happy.
But they’ve at least acted like they missed us too.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Home now. I miss our grandsons. But we do see
them on video calls—and we also have a trip with that whole part of the family
planned in the future!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and by the way, while I was gone I received
a box of books: my first Alaska Untamed mystery BEAR WITNESS, under my
pseudonym Lark O. Jensen. It’s been republished by Worldwide Mystery, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an imprint of Harlequin, and it’s in paperback
form! Hopefully it’ll meet an even wider audience than the hardbacks, thanks to
a lower price. It won’t be available until May or June, and I’m not sure where
it’ll be available, though definitely on the Worldwide Mystery website.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p><p></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-43917594085693715582024-03-08T03:30:00.001-05:002024-03-08T03:30:00.130-05:00Ink<p> I admit that this isn't the most important of issues, but have you noticed that ball point pens seem to run out ink very quickly? It seems like they used to work forever in the old days. I bought a wooden pen at Asilomar (the real place that the hotel and conference center is based on in the Yarn Retreat series). The original ink cartridge gave out and I ordered refills on Amazon. They came in a bundle of ten which seemed like a lot until I started using them. In no time, the ink grew lighter and lighter and then it was just the imprint from the pen tip on the paper. </p><p>I would be happy to buy better quality refills, but it was hard to tell which ones would fit the pen. It was no help going to Office Depot either. I need an old fashioned stationery store with people who know about such things <br /></p><p>So. I switched to a ball point that was part of a box of pens I got on sale at Costco. I have been using it for maybe a couple of months and then today, the words started to fade as I wrote in my journal. No worries about refills for it as it's not refillable.</p><p>I'm probably a dinosaur for even caring about handwriting utensils since it's all about email, texts, typing into a phone or computer. There are online journals now, but I prefer to handwrite. I have been doing it off an on since I was about fourteen. The boxes and boxes of notebooks are a bit of a nuisance, but it is fun to look at an old one and see how I have changed, or not changed. I use them to vent and a lot of the complaints are the same over the years.</p><p>But writing in them keeps me sane and in a good mood. I need to find another pen. Running out of ink could be a real disaster to those around me. <br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-4814095653893694122024-03-06T13:08:00.007-05:002024-03-06T13:08:00.151-05:00Pondering Others' Thoughts<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve been thinking a lot lately
about what others’ thoughts are. Oh, not just people, whom I can ask and they
might sometimes tell me. Or even my pups who communicate their thoughts in ways
other than speech—like staring at me with their heads cocked, especially when
treats are nearby.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">But I go to a park usually twice a week to meet
up with other women where we join in an exercise program where one of the women
leads us and times each of the exercises. And at that park, I also see non-people
who intrigue me sometimes. Oh, a lot of people walk their dogs around there, which
isn’t surprising. But then there are the crows, who caw and click and fly, and
otherwise communicate. There are also parrots—yes, non-native but they’re wild
around there, and they also fly and make their parrot calls. And sometimes there
are also squirrels on the ground or pavement or trees, who also do their
chatter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">And then I come home and watch hummingbirds and
squirrels and hawks and several kinds of smaller birds.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m
a real animal lover, although dogs are my favorite. But I love watching other
types and wondering what they’re thinking.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Maybe they’ll tell me someday in a way I can
understand, and I can write about it!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Meanwhile, I’m still working on my usual
manuscripts and plottings. And happy March everyone!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-10258451888879747232024-03-01T03:30:00.001-05:002024-03-01T03:30:00.124-05:00<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5wIxV1DVDn4ySNX-grkD9J7fFZ7Ao1AGYLJ7gdXJD0fHuIMDMoqAcqi2fAuguPsqq6RlvhnVCTsFqBI-M2ggCFq1NWc2ERODTaQQV98v5ni4xcyElTeQUHxIZWPOhvxUjpcvdCK0e14SF-VCD7KoP1xlhEliq1DaTZo8EvArWvKJ_CDwTGGANh8q9io/s320/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5wIxV1DVDn4ySNX-grkD9J7fFZ7Ao1AGYLJ7gdXJD0fHuIMDMoqAcqi2fAuguPsqq6RlvhnVCTsFqBI-M2ggCFq1NWc2ERODTaQQV98v5ni4xcyElTeQUHxIZWPOhvxUjpcvdCK0e14SF-VCD7KoP1xlhEliq1DaTZo8EvArWvKJ_CDwTGGANh8q9io/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /> I finished the draft of CLASSY YARNS and have set it aside while I go through the edits of KNOT DEAD AGAIN. It is always interesting to go back to a manuscript that I haven't seen in a while. I always go through the whole manuscript again and not just whatever my editor has noted. Having some distance, I see where wording isn't clear. I find that I pay more and more attention to the exact meaning of words. I hate to admit that I have given up on a paper dictionary, both because the type is so small and it's not help when you have the spelling wrong. With my phone I can type in an approximation to the spelling and get the word.<p></p><p>I am more like a reader on this go around, but a reader with the power to change things. I am always surprised to find things I thought were clear, but now realize are not. </p><p>Along with finishing the draft of CLASSY YARNS, I also finally finished the sunflower in a pot which is the kind of thing Annie Sara Hart likes to make. She is a crochet artist who treats the yarn craft more like sculpture. I wasn't sure if sculpture was the right word. I checked my phone and it says that sculpture is a visual art that operates in three dimensions. Technically, a scarf or afghan in three dimensional, but to me it's not the same as a doll or the sunflower, so I think sculpture works.</p><p>I want to continue on making small crocheted items like the sunflower in a pot. It's part research for CLASSY YARNS, but also what I want to make. It is very different than working on a giant granny square afghan. It isn't meditative, but a constant challenge to make the different parts, assembling them and finally sewing them together. It is not something I can do while watching TV. It's more exciting than relaxing as I watch the pieces come together. I also want to do some of the more relaxing kind of crochet and work on afghan. </p><p>I just found another bin of yarn, so there's lots to work with.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-85922966181256114712024-02-28T04:30:00.005-05:002024-02-28T04:30:00.273-05:00But Not The End of February<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Three years out of four, this would
be the last day of February. But as I’m sure you know, this is Leap Year. And
so tomorrow, February 29, is this month’s last day.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m still writing. I’m still
plotting. Not sure what comes next but I’m always working on it.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And I was tempted to work with our
younger pup Roxie so she could earn an official Fetch title. I learned about it
at a meeting of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Southern California where
a speaker talked about the new AKC Fetch program. In it, your dog can earn one
of four titles in a non-competitive test where they’re supposed to follow the
rules and chase after a ball or toy around certain boxes, although they’re supposed
to wait till the ball or toy reaches the ground before going after it and
bringing it back. We did try to get Roxie, whose favorite game is retrieving a
toy, to follow the rules, but so far she still wants to do fetch her way—like not
waiting for the toy to rest on the ground. But I’d love to use this in a book!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hmmm. My mind is plotting. As usual.</span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-78155928474476415682024-02-23T03:30:00.001-05:002024-02-23T03:30:00.349-05:00Let the Sunshine In<p> It's easy to take the sun for granted in Southern California. It seems like a permanent fixture most of the time. But all it takes is a few days of rain for it to be missed. This winter seems to have have had a lot of cloudy days, too. </p><p>So I have welcomed the last two days of sun in the morning. It feels like the world is smiling. I just want to go outside and bask in it, but the chairs are all still too wet from the last rain. And I have work to do.<br /></p><p>At least, I didn't have to turn on the lamps in my writing room and the light coming in through the window was enough. Sun is reflecting off the leaves of the lime tree instead of rain drops bending them down.</p><p>I got back the edits on the next Yarn Retreat book. My editor was happy with the book and most of the changes are just corrections from typos and things like missing words.</p><p>It is hard to pull myself away from working on CLASSY YARNS and I have decided to finish the draft of it and then work on the edits of KNOT DEAD AGAIN. I have the end of CLASSY YARNS mapped out, so finishing the daft should go quick. I'm hoping that by Monday, I'll be working on KNOT DEAD AGAIN. We are supposed to get more rain on Monday which is the perfect backdrop for working on the Yarn Retreat book since it takes place in the midst of a catastrophic rain storm. </p><p>It's an eerie feeling to see pictures of what I had been making up in my head. There have been rock slides blocking roads. Mud and debris blocking other roads. Flooded streets making travel impossible. Unfortunately, the real problems are harder to deal with than writing a solution of heavy equipment coming in to take care of everything.<br /></p><p>Tulips are popping up at Trader Joe's. The days are getting longer Spring is in the air.<br /></p><p> <br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-10180952797981694722024-02-21T04:30:00.006-05:002024-02-21T04:30:00.126-05:00And More February<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hi, all. It shouldn’t surprise me that
this year is marching forward so fast. They all do. But we’re more than half way
through February now. And I’ve been keeping busy—again, no surprise.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My writing? Well, I’ve sent my
current manuscript to my beta reader to critique, as I said I would last week.
And I’m delighted that my Harlequin editor has said she’d be glad to look at
more ideas for my Shelter of Secrets series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense! I’ve
got some ideas in mind, as well as other HRS possibilities that I’m working on.
And mystery ideas too. And more… Yes, writing and I remain friends.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This evening is the meeting of the
local Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. I don’t show my dogs, but I
definitely love the breed and am looking forward to getting together with other
Cavalier owners. It’s a dinner event in a location our pups aren’t welcome, so
I don’t get to see anyone else’s Cavaliers, but the club does occasionally have
fun days when our pups get to play with one another. My Cari and Roxie didn’t
seem too excited about the last one, though.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> But of course we do play with them.
A lot. And they play with each other too. Always having fun—when they’re not napping.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-76940332778115836762024-02-16T03:30:00.001-05:002024-02-16T03:30:00.122-05:00Another Afternoon at the Movies<p> I went to the movies again. My son and Jakey have passes for the Universal Studios amusement park. Jakey gets off school early on Wednesdays and going there for a few hours was a nice treat for Valentine's Day. While they checked out Mario land and the playgrounds, I would go to the AMC theaters in the area of restaurants and stores adjacent to the park. Afterwards, we would get food together.</p><p>There was a Valentine encore offering of a romantic comedy called ANYONE BUT YOU. I had a perfect seat and arrived just as the movie was starting. Last time I sat through probably a half an hour of previews of movies that I didn't want to see. I mean, a little girl ballerina who turns out to be a vicious vampire?</p><p>Up until recently, I had not gone to a movie theater in years. But now, each time I go, I think about what a nice outing it is. The seats are amazing. No more setting straight up or having people climb over you to get to their seat. I was cradled in a cushy seat and felt renewed when I left the theater. <br /></p><p>I loved the movie. The plot was slight but it was laugh out loud funny. The theater was pretty empty, but there were a few other laugh out louders like me. I don't passively watch movies or TV. I usually have an running inner dialogue going on. It's a combo of comments like how I feel about the show as it progresses, the background and where it is filmed. What the people are wearing. And in the case of a romantic comedy, what the beats are. They all share certain moments like the cute meet, the complication, the dark moment and at some point the hero or heroine is going to run after the other one. <br /></p><p>I even used that is KNOT DEAD, AGAIN in a slow speed sort of way, since he only has to catch up with his lady love making her exit in a golf cart.</p><p>I even do the inner commentary thing when I watch commercials. I check out the background and the absurdity of the way they show people dancing around and having a good time in drug commercials while they quietly list horrendous side effects.</p><p>ANYONE BUT YOU was mostly filmed in Australia at a dream house where an extended family and friends had gathered for a wedding. The food alone was amazing. I wish the camera had stayed longer on the sumptous buffets so I could have seen what all of it was.</p><p>I was also interested to see how romance is portrayed now. I thought the characters seemed a lot more real. No super suave Gary Grant men, the guy in this movie wasn't so perfect. Neither was the girl. But they also weren't ridiculously flawed either.</p><p>There's hope that there might be more movies like it. I read an article today saying how this movie might mark the return of mid budget movies and romantic comedies. </p><p>I sure hope so.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-33738246436909037562024-02-14T04:30:00.010-05:002024-02-14T04:30:00.143-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For someone who writes romantic suspense
as well as mysteries, this is definitely a special day. It helps that I’ve been
happily married for quite a while. And that I consider my kids, grandsons and
pups also loves of my life.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m nearly ready to send my current
manuscript to my beta reader to critique. I know it needs some work, but having
someone else’s suggestions is always helpful.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And weather or not, things have been
sort of chilly for L.A. but dry for now. Although we’re told that’s likely to
change again this weekend. We’ve already had more than 10 inches of rain in our
area—and yes, we have a measuring gauge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you’re on Facebook, be sure to
check out my home page there. I’ve posted a couple of pictures there of me and
each of my two pups—as well as the cover of one of my new audio versions of my
Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries. Fun!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston/</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Enjoy whatever you do to celebrate
Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">💘💘💘</span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-42561038765393141552024-02-09T03:30:00.001-05:002024-02-09T03:30:00.137-05:00Had to Write About the Rain<p>For the first time all week I didn't have to turn on the light when I went to my computer. There was enough sunlight coming in the window. There was sun everywhere turning the left over rain droplets to glittering diamond.</p><p>I didn't realize how much all the clouds and rain got me down until the sun returned and I felt all smiles. </p><p>The rain was unrelenting, flooding part of our yard. The rain totals were mind boggling. Woodland Hills which is right next to us got almost 11 inches of rain. The power went out from Ventura Boulevard to a block away from us. And late the day after it had gone out, A truck had the street blocked on Ventura Boulevard and they were working under the street. All the stores were still dark, along with the houses.. I was so grateful not to be included. </p><p>My flock of daffodils looked like fallen soldiers during the rain. But as soon as jt stopped they started to straighten. </p><p>It was a good time for writing. I was off in my imagination writing letting the characters in the Indiana school house shop have their say. It was always a jolt when I glanced out the window and saw the leaves on the lime tree bending with the rain.</p><p>That's not to say that we weren't out in the deluge. A trip to Costco on Sunday led to soggy groceries and puddly footprints all over the kitchen. </p><p>There was lots of trouble other places. I heard there were over 300 mudslides. Houses have slide off their foundations which is why I gave the house behind us a few worried looks. It is actually at the end of a cul de sac that loosely parallels our street. The giant fake farm house replaced a smaller house built at the top of the slope at the front of the property. I watched as the developer dropped piles of dirt to extend the hill back. The backyard slopes downward toward our yard and if the hill he created wasn't stable, trouble would come our way. To make it worse, a huge monstrosity was built next to the fake farm house. It is up slope from them and I wondered if the farmhouse people were worried it might slide into their yard.</p><p>So far all is well, but the news people said more than once that even when the rain stops, mud can still move. Years ago, two houses in Tarzana slid off their foundations and fell into the street. I hope nothing like that happens again-- particularly in my backyard.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-90681707956683106492024-02-07T04:30:00.005-05:002024-02-07T04:30:00.143-05:00Weird Weather<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Happy February, everyone!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As you may know, I live in Los
Angeles. So, yes, I’ve been in the middle of the storm that’s been making the
news. It comes and goes, and today is theoretically the last day of rain, maybe,
at least for now,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Things have been okay on my street,
except for the lake that forms at an intersection near me. But otherwise, the
water has flowed fine…and some of it into my house. We have a few leaks that my
husband has been busy dealing with, and we’ll hopefully be able to fix once the
weather dries out for a while. It’s happened before, but we thought the leaks had
been taken care of. Of course it’s hard to tell when things are as dry as they’ve
been for a while.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe I can use the rain and flooding
in a book sometime. It would be fun to set it L.A. I grew up in Pittsburgh, so
I used to know rain, and snow, well. Not so much for either now, but I can always
come up with a character who either loves, or hates, bad weather.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway, I’ve mostly been staying
inside. And our poor pups haven’t been out on walks much, although we do have a
dog run at the side of the house with a roof over it. Their paws still get wet,
but usually not the rest of them.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> And yes, I’ve been writing. Making
progress on my current story. Yay! </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-17214105463746000642024-02-02T03:30:00.001-05:002024-02-02T03:30:00.252-05:00This and That<p> <span> </span>One of the fun things about writing is where the research takes you. That is when I love the Internet the most. The book I am working on takes place in an old school house that had been turned into a yarn shop and is getting a tea room added. I have been deciding on what changes to the place need to be done. I ended up reading about Hoosier cabinets. They're called that because they were made in Indiana. Kitchens didn't have built in cabinetry and they provided storage and a workspace in a pull out surface that rested on pulled out drawers below it.</p><p>I am not sure how I got to it, but from there I started thinking about coffee pots and most specifically glass double decked ones which I now know are called bubble pots. I am pretty sure we had one in our Indiana cottage. I remember being fascinated by how the water moved from the bottom to the top glass bowl shaped thing. They don't seem to make the bubble pots anymore though they can be had on Ebay. But I did find out how they work. There is a tube joining the two parts and when the water boils, the steam sucks the water up to the top. It's the same principle of a percolator or stove espresso pot. </p><p>From there, I ended up reading about Chemex coffee carafes. They are glass with a wooden color and leather strings and use the pour over method. There's a filter that holds the coffee and boiling water is poured into the top and drips through. Though they were designed in the 1940s, they are classic and still available. </p><p>The coffee pot stuff was just for my own curiosity, but my character is getting one of the Hoosier cabinets for the school house kitchen.</p><p>I know I have written how I get material from everywhere. It happened again. I saw AMERICAN FICTION yesterday, which I really liked. It's all about seeing past labels for people and all of a sudden I realized that was what I wanted one of my characters to do. She doesn't even consider that Toby has Down syndrome, but views him just as a person she meets who happens to be a gifted baker.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-64892096446879176942024-01-31T04:30:00.002-05:002024-01-31T04:30:00.141-05:00Oops!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Last week I said my post was the
last one of January, but I wasn’t counting the days right. Yes, today is January
31, the last day of the month, and here’s my last post of January!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m delighted to say that I’ve been
working even harder on the draft of my fifth Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel
in the Shelter of Secrets series, the 2025 release. That’s because the deadline
is approaching. But I’m happy about how it’s going, though I still have some writing
and substantial editing to do.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Meanwhile, this may be the last day
of January, but tomorrow is February 1, my puppy Roxie’s second birthday. She’s
not a puppy any longer? Try telling her that! I love playing with her, and with
Cari, my older Cavalier. I wonder if they’ll wind up starring in my new story. Maybe,
since I’d love to write about Cavaliers again. But I’m still not certain where
that idea will go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Also, after Betty’s post this week,
I’ve been pondering my handwriting again. Good thing no one else needs to try to
read it! But I do enjoy trying out different pens to use and paper to write on.</span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-6302996316567926002024-01-26T03:30:00.001-05:002024-01-26T03:30:00.136-05:00Pens and Ink<p> It feels like it has been gloomy here forever. Not a lot of rain, but day after day of cloudy skies. So much moisture in the air that the dirt in my pots of pansies are squishy with water. A blossom appeared, but looks a little exhausted from all the wet.</p><p>This morning started out that way with fog and gloom. But then the sun came out and the sky cleared. There were sunny spots in the yard and I went outside to hang up some laundry. (Yes, I air dry my clothes) and the lure of the sun was too much and I abandoned the laundry and pulled a chair into a sunny spot. It's been cold here too, so being able to let the sun light and its warmth flow over me was wonderful. I had things to do, but could not let go of the perfect moment. Then reality cut in and I got up and finished with the laundry and went inside to my computer.</p><p>I have been using a yellow pad and pen recently for the new book. There is something so different about writing by hand. I seem to tap into the story from a different angle. I had an idea what was going to happen, but then there was a detour as a character showed a different side of herself. Now, I will put all that I wrote into the computer, rewriting as I go. Handwriting flows nicely, but still there are things that I realize don't work when I give it another look.</p><p>Costco had a package with an assortment of different kinds of pens on sale and I couldn't resist. I used to be set on using a certain kind of Sharpy pen that didn't have a strong smell and didn't bleed through paper, but then they changed the pens. They still don't smell, but I noticed that they were kind of going through the paper. I had a wooden pen from Asilomar, the hotel and conference center that I based Vista Del Mar on and started using it. The original ink thing ran out and I ordered refills. They were very cheap and now know why. They aren't very good and don't last. So, I decided to switch over to the new pens I just bought.</p><p>The ball point was fine and I realized all my wanting a special pen was irrelevant. The set came with two fountain pens that are not refillable. I tried one of those and it was a whole other experience. Not good for working on a manuscript because I was too focused on the pen and what an effort it was to use. It did look nice, though. I remember fountain pens from the old-old days before there were even cartridges. The ink bottles with the little spot at the top where you dipped the pen and did something (I don't remember what) to suck in the ink. I remember hearing that a fountain pen was very personal and that the nib somehow adjusted to the owners handwriting.</p><p>No chance of that happening with the two that came in the set as I'm sure they'll be out of ink before they have a chance to get used to my handwriting. Fountain pens remind me of my high school French teacher. I was awed by her since she and her husband wrote <i>Mr. Popper's Penguins.</i> Unfortunately, she didn't feel the same about me. When I did my homework in peacock blue ink (with a fountain pen), she said she wasn't allowed to use it (I assume she meant when she was young) and I couldn't use it either. Then she said she had seen people slant their handwriting to the left, and to the right, and straight up and down, but she had never seen anybody (until me) who did all three in one word.</p><p>She might have gotten me to stop using the peacock blue ink, but it was a lost cause with my handwriting.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-9775910087201118552024-01-24T04:30:00.005-05:002024-01-24T04:30:00.142-05:00My Last Post of January!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> Yes, no surprise, but this year is
continuing to go fast, as they all do.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Once again, there’s not much new with my
writing, although I did apply to do a signing at the Sisters in Crime L.A. booth
at the L.A. Times Festival of Books in April. I hope that works out. It’s always
fun to attend the LATFOB, and even more so to do signings there. I’ll probably
also try to get scheduled at other booths.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m still working on the draft of my fifth Harlequin
Romantic Suspense novel in the Shelter of Secrets series, the 2025 release. And
yes, I continue to ponder new ideas. I do keep busy, but not as busy as last
year when I had three books published.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And will any new ideas contain dogs? Absolutely!
That’s always my favorite kind of story. Of course, other animals may also sneak—or
not sneak—their ways in.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-89162805043433197992024-01-19T03:30:00.001-05:002024-01-19T03:30:00.145-05:00Random Hearts<p> I am happily at work on CLASSY YARNS AND TEA FOR YOU, the first of the Crochet and Crumpet series. I'm not sure the title will stay. It might be too long. While I'm writing it, I'm also working on making little crochet projects. They are fun and the end is in sight when I start one. I am making a point of seeing each one through to the end before starting something else.</p><p>I'm not sure if it's true of others, but I have an unfortunate habit of starting a big project and then, setting it aside while I start something else and so on and so on. I have many unfinished projects hanging around and I didn't want it to happen with the things I am making now. My current project is a small pot with a sunflower in it. I am working on the petals now, so the end is in sight. I will post a picture when it's done.</p><p>It came as part of a kit to make little flower pots with other kinds of flowers. I'm not sure I will get to all of those before I make something else. I chose to make the sunflower one first because I love sunflowers. They seem like the smile of flowers. Or at least, they make me smile.</p><p>I saw a post on Facebook about someone finding a crocheted square in a bathroom with a note attached. It was a random gift left by an anonymous person meant to brighten the finder's day. Shortly after that I read a piece in a crochet magazine about people leaving crocheted hearts with a card attached with a message meant to cheer someone up. I love the idea. Something I would like to do in life and put in the next Molly book. </p><p>There was a trend awhile ago with people leaving decorated rocks around. You were supposed to pass it on . There might have been a website or email address to say where it was found. I am afraid the rock I found never went any further.</p><p>I like the mystery crochet pieces so much better. It's like people getting a reassuring message from the universe. But of course, if my character Adele does it, there will be more to the story.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-80362201968575816542024-01-17T04:30:00.003-05:002024-01-17T04:30:00.141-05:00And So January Continues<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Not much new from last week. I’ve continued to
work on the draft of my fifth Harlequin Suspense novel in the Shelter of Secrets
series, the 2025 release.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’ve also continued to proofread a couple of my
old Alpha Force books for Harlequin Nocturne as they’ll soon be available as
ebooks. I like the way I used to write back then! Well, I also like the way I
write now.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those things have kept me fairly occupied,
so I’ve only been pondering my new story idea without writing anything... yet.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I did manage to go to a movie, too. I’d
heard a lot about “Oppenheimer,” so my husband and I went to see it. Definitely
well done—and definitely long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Oh, and no surprise, but Cari and mostly
Roxie occupy a lot of whatever extra time I have, and often time I don’t have.
Roxie has some tummy issues and the manufacturer of one of her favorite treats
that agree with her has apparently stopped making it, or at least I can’t find
it anywhere except online at Amazon—for nearly $50 for a small package. I keep
looking for other things that might be okay, though.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Hope you are all doing well!</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-81926589120403825192024-01-12T03:30:00.001-05:002024-01-12T03:30:00.143-05:00Moving On<p> I finally typed The End for KNOT DEAD, AGAIN! and sent it off to my editor. I will get the edits in February and go through the manuscript again. At the end of working on it, I was too close to everything to know if it made sense. And because I kept going back and forth in the manuscript, it was confusing about if I had already said something. By February, I will have enough distance to see everything better.</p><p>I was going to take off a few days from writing, so I could clean up the mess of papers around my computer and clear my head. But I couldn't keep myself from thinking about the characters in the next book I'm going to work on. I already have the first 50 pages and synopsis from the proposal I wrote. I know who the characters are and a lot about the location. </p><p>And then there's Toby. He's 15 and has Down Syndrome. I'm not sure where he came from, but he literally popped into my mind. He works with his mother in her bakery, has a strong spirit and talent at making bread and other bakery items.</p><p>Since I don't know anyone with Down Syndrome and I wanted to get it right with Toby-- not clinical, but also not unrealistic. I started doing research about what was possible for someone who has it. Right now I'm reading a book about a woman whose second son has it. So far it is all about him as a baby and a lot about her dealing with the situation. I also read an article about a doctor in a small town who started a bakery for his daughter who has Down's to work in. There was a Hallmark movie, too about a girl who has Down's but is an accomplished artist. Many of the actors also had Down's. I read an interview with the girl who starred and learned from that.<br /></p><p>So far, I have gotten some of the papers away from my computer. Hint, they are so high, they block part of the screen. But I know the room won't even be close to pristine before I got back to working on the book. I think the title will probably change. I called it CLASSY YARNS AND TEA FOR YOU for the proposal and the series is called Crochet and Crumpets. And guess who will be making those crumpets.</p><p>The main character Annie Sara Hart is a crochet artist who makes mostly toys, and things like baskets and pots of flowers. I have already been doing some of that myself though so far just small creatures and the things that came with my advent calendar. It is a lot different than working on an afghan. It captures all my attention and it's working small and three dimensional rather than flat. It's a challenge and exciting to see whatever I'm making come to life.</p><p>I know I have to face it that I am never going to be one of those people who has everything neatly stacked. When things are in a bit of chaos, I know where everything is. As soon as I start with putting things away, I lose track of them.</p><p>I don't think I will get through the day with reading over what I already have. I like all the characters and can't wait to spend time with them again.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-82041754486473490342024-01-10T04:30:00.006-05:002024-01-10T04:30:00.146-05:00And January Continues<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We’ve just started double digits in January 2024
already.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s the 10</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">th</sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>I’ve still been working on the draft of my
fifth Harlequin Suspense novel in the Shelter of Secrets series. This one will
be a 2025 release. CANINE PROTECTION, the 2024 release, fourth in the series, is already well in the works and will be available in August this year. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And some of my old Alpha Force books that I wrote
for Harlequin Nocturne in the 2010s are going to be republished soon in ebook
form. It’s been ages since I’ve read much paranormal, let alone written any,
and the Nocturne line no longer exists. Alpha Force is about a covert military
unit of shapeshifters, and I’ve been asked to proofread some of the drafts. It’s
definitely fun to re-read them!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ideas keep popping up for things to
do this year such as going to writers’ meetings and travel—and things to write.
Eventually.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Meanwhile, I hope 2024 is treating
you well. I’ve been enjoying it so far, and I think my pups Cari and Roxie have
too. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-68230012140802627532024-01-05T03:30:00.001-05:002024-01-05T03:30:00.138-05:00Words<p> It started with me trying to make an online payment. The website listed on the bill appeared to have a small i in it. When I typed it in, I got some weird message about my browser sensing a security issue. So, I tried another browser and this time a message popped up asking to allow something. Since I knew it was a legit website since it appeared on the bill. I hit allow.</p><p>Yikes! Suddenly all these things appeared on my screen saying a virus had been detected on my computer. I remembered that it was disaster to click on anything like that, so I turned off my computer. But when I turned it back on, there was a constant flow of boxes showing up in the corner, saying that someone in Russia had signed on to my computer and more about a virus detected. By now, I was calm enough to look at the boxes and see the fake sounding website and the fuzziness of the graphics. I realized it was all bogus and that it had come from the allow thing I had clicked on.</p><p>I also realized that what I had taken as a small i in the web address, was actually an l. It was an optical illusion that there was a dot. I got to the right website, but the parade of threatening graphics still kept popping up, constantly.</p><p>I thought of these things that kept appearing as pop up ads and did searches on how to get rid of them. It was only after going through all kinds of attempts that didn't get rid of them, I realized the problem was semantics.</p><p>I spend my days with words and their meanings. I wonder about what things are called, like the name for the strand of chain stitches in the garland pattern for the book I'm working on. Sometimes finding the correct term is impossible, like that strand of stitches. which apparently doesn't have a name. . In this world where more and more is online instead of speaking to someone who could elicit what exactly you are looking for, you are left on your own to find the right words.<br /></p><p>It was only after a lot of wasted time that I realized all those threatening boxes of graphics were actually notifications and not pop up ads. And then I was finally able to get them to stop showing up.<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-25457128222025709292024-01-03T04:30:00.008-05:002024-01-03T04:30:00.138-05:00Happy New Year!<p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Oh, yes, it’s 2024 now. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’ve been pondering all the things I want to
do this year—including step up my writing speed again, even though so far I’ve
only one book being published this year.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But I’ve been pondering a new idea for a while. I want to finish the first draft of what I’m working on now, then dive
into that idea and get it started.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Meanwhile, I have plans for some
trips later this year, and some more family get-togethers outside the holiday
season.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, and of course, lots of time with
the pups. They’ve enjoyed their walks so far this year, and a lot more to come.
Lots more games, too, especially with Roxie, although Cari does join in quite a
bit—then stops.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> And you? How has your new year
started? I hope it goes really well and that you accomplish what you want and
have lots of fun. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-38630397267766504942023-12-29T03:30:00.001-05:002023-12-29T03:30:00.164-05:00Welcome 2024<p> So 2023 is about to bite the dust. I tried to think over past year, but everything from July on seems to be a blur. A few moments stood out. My son's birthday in August. Jakey's first day of first grade also in August. September and fall officially began. October was a trip to Chicago and Indiana and then it was Halloween.</p><p>By November the days were really getting shorter, particularly after the time changed back. We took Jakey on a road trip to Vegas. Thanksgiving was only memorable because one of us was sick and we had to cancel our plans to go to a friend's house for dinner. I was left with making something last minute and definitely not traditional.</p><p>I don't know what happened to December. One minute it was the first and then suddenly Christmas was in a few days. And now in a couple of days I have to get used to writing 2024 on checks.</p><p>We have hit the shortest day of the year and already there are added minutes of daylight. As somebody posted on Facebook, the Valentine's Day version's of peanut butter cups will be in the stores any day to replace the Christmas version of peanut butter cups that were just half off.</p><p>I hope the new year brings more peace. Sadly peace on earth and good will toward man seemed in short supply this Christmas.</p><p>As I am finishing up the rewrite of KNOT DEAD, AGAIN, I'm already thinking ahead to the new series and the next Crochet Mystery. Time never stands still.</p><p>Happy New Year!<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-12010943819280609372023-12-27T04:30:00.001-05:002023-12-27T04:30:00.134-05:00And More Holiday Stuff Going On<p> <span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Wow! This is my last blog post here of 2023.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not that I have a lot to say. I’ve been busy
with family things, so I haven’t caught up with where I’d like to be with my
writing, although I work on it in spurts when I can.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But I do pay a lot of attention to my pups.
They wouldn’t allow me to do otherwise!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Anyway, it has been a fun and sometimes
challenging year. I had three books published and I’m still out there sometimes
letting readers know about them.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you’re all enjoying what’s left of the
holiday season. And keep on reading when you can. I do!</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Linda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-36841835644986763212023-12-22T03:30:00.001-05:002023-12-22T03:30:00.127-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6-UKnL8v0t40mK5o6jLBuacrHynN5bCdRUaMsW6gJWTMh3YzEZSw0oxsgDe-jLdB4gKJ64gWLy-7SajTXm4j03yhXvyHxCwO1EJfODbFJgiJ-Ub1wcvNKOBz9ZQkiN5YYCQpR2bF4P7hwTSJ_BvmqHFlIeUXuVH0SBFbeVjsvaVUHolq2ZMKdOVJ0ao/s320/crochet%20cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6-UKnL8v0t40mK5o6jLBuacrHynN5bCdRUaMsW6gJWTMh3YzEZSw0oxsgDe-jLdB4gKJ64gWLy-7SajTXm4j03yhXvyHxCwO1EJfODbFJgiJ-Ub1wcvNKOBz9ZQkiN5YYCQpR2bF4P7hwTSJ_BvmqHFlIeUXuVH0SBFbeVjsvaVUHolq2ZMKdOVJ0ao/s1600/crochet%20cake.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> I am always surprised when the future becomes the present. Christmas seemed off in the foggy future or at least weeks away. The same for Jakey's birthday which is two days before Christmas. And suddenly they are just a few days off.</p><p>I set aside my advent calendar crocheting to crochet a birthday cake for Jakey. I thought it would be different than the tons of toys he's likely to get. It doesn't take that long to make, so if he tosses it aside, I won't feel bad. Besides I will have had the fun of creating it.</p><p>After the long period of sunny skies, the rains have come. For a couple of days it was just light rain. The kind where you don't really bother with a raincoat or umbrella. But then it got serious. Tonight when we went to Costco to get wrapping paper for all those presents Jakey is going to get, there was a respite in the rain. Lots of shoppers so we parked on the mezzanine level. Normally, there is a think called the travelator that goes to the ground floor level. It's like a ramp with a moving sidewalk meant to transport Costco carts and shoppers to the upper level.</p><p>Even though it is covered, the travelator doesn't like rain and wasn't working. The other option to move a cart to the upper level is the elevator. It's much slower and not as much fun. For the moment, the rain had stopped anyway, which was a good thing because the spot to wait for the elevator isn't covered and Costco doesn't bag things. Talk about lucky, just as the elevator doors opened and we wheeled the cart with loose items into it, the drops began to fall. By the time we drove out of the parking lot, it was a downpour. I was so glad we got on the elevator before everything got soaked.</p><p>The rain is research for me now as the manuscript I'm finishing takes place during a deluge of rain that turns the hotel and conference center into an island. Having actual downpours of rain helps me to note details like how it sounds, how it feels to have it drench you, and the tension watching as our yard starts to flood.</p><p>It's hard to believe that by next blog, Christmas was be in the past and the Hallmark Christmas movies will have morphed into repeats of Fraiser. In the meantime Merry Christmas!<br /></p>Betty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.com6