CONTEST*~*CONTEST*~*CONTEST

So, I’m only two months late, but I promise it’s a good one. In order to win you have to be a Crystal Hubbard fan too! Yes, we did a crossover. Isn’t that cool? Here’s how it works: In my most recent release, Morning Star, I make reference to a character who is mentioned in TWO Crystal Hubbard books. Name the character and the books and you can pick any book from my backlist (Rock Star, Try a Little Tenderness, Pussycat Death Squad, Morning Star). Or you can choose to receive my December 8th release, Santa Baby.

First one to post the answer on my blog wins. Remember, you have to have the name and the two other books the character is mentioned in.

School Day Pictures!!!

Okay, so somebody just tell me I don’t have the handsomest baby EVAH! Please indulge me my proud mama moment. There’s something so nostalgic about school day pictures, isn’t there? I just love this picture. Wish I’d bought more. Luke isn’t very photogenic, and tends to stiffen up on-camera. I have no idea how they got him to be so natural and relaxed. Anyway, I thought they’d be horrible and didn’t buy a lot. Fortunately I can order more directly from the photographer.

Everybody Hurts

This song helped me not kill somebody a long time ago. There’s an inboxer over on Monnie’s blog who really needs to listen to Michael Stipe wail this one out. If this doesn’t help I’ve still got an ax handle.

Given

Y’all haven’t heard much about this book, mainly because I’ve been procrastinating like crazy. To my credit; it seems my entire family came down with whoknowswhatthehell in October and can’t seem to get well. That threw my schedule way off, but still. Given is due December 15 and will be released in February at Loose Id. It’s a historical shifter story which takes place in the mid-19th century Ohio. Both leads are free blacks living in the Gist settlement and working with the Underground Railroad. I’m totally psyched because it’s another project I’m working on with Lisa G. Riley. 

In my head this is very much a Taming of the Shrew type story. TOTS is my second-fave Shakesperean play, my fave is Macbeth and Hamlet makes me want to kick him in the nads halfway through.

As I’ve mentioned before I have to have a visual for the characters before I can start writing. Mary Katherine owns a boarding house and has no interest in marriage. Jacob, a carpenter who shifts into a 350 pound black bear is so crazy about MK he proposed the first day they met. And so it goes. For MK I needed someone who was petite, but shapely with a definite sassy demeanor. I think Raven-Symone fits perfectly. (Jacob’s brother is actually amazed she can walk upright with her formidable bosom.)

For Jacob I needed someone big, and found him in the NFL. Jason Paul Taylor is crazy-hot. I’m definitely feeling more enthusiastic about this story now. 

I also spent a lot of time at the Schomburg site last night looking at pictures of black women from that period and getting a feel for the fashions, especially as it pertains to hair. Now I’m feeling much more motivated.

Shoe Nirvana

Merrell Encore Chill Stitch at Zappos.com.

So, I’ve been looking for a pair of WARM comfy shoes for a while now. Primarily for house shoes, but I also wanted them to be durable enough to go to the mailbox or drop the Little Guy off at school. Picked these up at T.J. Maxx yesterday, and they haven’t been off my feet since. I thought I would wear them with my Wig Wams, but I didn’t need them; my feet are positively toasty. I even wore them to Luke’s game today and they felt great. For the first time in my life I have warm feet! (Yeah, I know, I don’t get out much. Leave me my small thrills.) Whit pointed out to me that I should’ve picked up a second pair and he’s so right. Going back tomorrow to do just that. It would be such a bummer if they wore out.

Thanksgiving Traditions

We had this turkey platter in our home as we were growing up. Unfortunately, my brother broke it so I think I’m going to buy one and the matching soup tureen. 

At our house Thanksgiving dinner is all about the dressing. My husband, whose family is originally from the Midwest, never had dressing before he met me. Now he’s addicted to it. Even when we have the holiday with his family he wants me to make dressing.

The first Thanksgiving after my mama died was bittersweet; every year I had to call her to walk me through making the dressing. (Don’t ask why I didn’t just write it down, it’s a tradition.) Anyway, after she died, I realized that my sister and niece had done the same thing. So Thanksgiving found us on the phone with one another trying to figure out how to make dressing. Mine is pretty good, not as good as my mama’s, but hey, I’m still trying. 

 

 

Off With Her Head

Okay, make or break time. I will start Given TODAY. 

Missed the first 30 minutes of Flashforward last week. Hope I’ll be able to understand what the hell went on. Can’t stand to watch video on this old computer. It buffers forever. Whit watched it, but won’t tell me. I need a new husband. 

Dear Cynthia Rylant, I know you’ve written 50 zillion of these Poppleton books. The Luke loves them, but I’ve got a question: Why no Poppleton in Summer? You’ve got the other three seasons, but no summer. No, my son doesn’t care, but I’m much too compulsive to go without an entire set. Once I start a series I must have them all, so get cracking. 

Love PaperBack Swap like buttercream frosting. Only one problem. People get the books and then don’t indicate they’ve received them. Look jackasses, I’ve gone to the trouble and expense of sending you a free book. The least you can do is give me the credit so I can get a free book. 

Dear Jackass Who Was Stocking in Publix Today: Please note, that in general when I’m marketing my mind is far, far away in particular I’m not paying attention to grown ass men who Pssssttttt’ at me. Please be further advised that I only refrained from kicking you in the head because I was wearing my absolutely favorite pair of flats and didn’t want to ruin them with your blood. Consider this a free lesson, next time I won’t be so restrained. 

One solid week without sugar. Better hold onto your seatbelts. I’m only going to get bitchier. 

As for the picture, is anyone else dying to see Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland?

Blackface

Controversy: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Whitney Isleib Allegedly Does Black-Face Lil’ Wayne Costume – Crimesider – CBS News.

I’ve already asked this family’s resident white person and he disavowed any knowledge or understanding of the practice. In fact, I think he rebuked it in the name of the Lord, but he tends to mumble so I’m not sure. Anyway, I just need to understand what’s funny about it, and why some white people feel compelled to do it. I mean, in this case she was going to the party as Lil Wayne. Now, with his facial tattoos, unfortunate dentrifice and ridiculous attire that gentleman is pretty distinctive looking. Why did she feel the need to darken her skin as well? I mean, if I wore a Dolly Parton costume I’d slap on a big blonde wig, some fake boobs and sequins. I wouldn’t feel the need to paint myself white. In fact, I’d think it was absurd. 

This is the guy she was going as. Do you really need black skin to make yourself look like this clown? He’s a freaking cartoon. (And as an aside, does that belt buckle say RAPE?)

Even if you somehow don’t see this as a racist act, it goes back  to the issue that no matter what, for some white people a black person’s race is the first thing they see.

Luke’s Bookcase

 Making Children’s Bookshelves and more creative crafts projects, templates, tips, clip-art, patterns, and ideas on marthastewart.com .

I’m putting this here to guilt-trip Whit into making it for Luke. He has a regular bookcase, but front-facing is so much better and easier to access. I’ve also got the perfect incentive; if he doesn’t make this one, I’m going to buy this $200 from the Land of Nod. Trust, nothing motivates that Scotsman like his pocketbook. 

http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=46&f=5380

The wall-mounted one though is actually a better plan because space in Luke’s room is at a premium. 

 

Rethinking the Whole Reading Thing

 

Typical trip to the grocery store for Roslyn and the Notorious L.U.K.E.:

Him: Mama, it says on the label, “No Trans Fats”.

Me: That doesn’t compensate for the 500 grams of sugar they pour in there. 

Him: (Studying label with a frown): It doesn’t have 500 grams of sugar, it has 50.

Me: *sigh*

Clearly the literary form known as hyperbole is wasted on five-year-olds.