Treatment - and I'm still alive.

Thank you all for your comments and otherwise well wishes... Hey even the spam patrol ran through here. *G*

I started treatment - ordered to do so immediately or start hunting for a new liver.

How lovely.

I'm taking pegasys and copegus - which has some very nasty side effects. Mostly the lack of energy that even a cup of coffee and 40 pounds of caffiene couldn't phase.

A little naseauated and the worst is the shivers. You get cold all of a sudden - for no reason and then you sweat in mass rivulets. Oh joy. LOL!

I won't be posting much in the next month until I get used to this treatment. But everyonce in awhile I do surf to your pages and visit you. I just don't have the energy right now inbetween the kid, hubby, treatment, work to type much. Clicking the mouse kind of expends it.

Strange - 8 weeks ago, life was abundant of energy and I could stay up 24 hours plus without any problem. Now I'm lucky if I can do 10 hours straight.

But the good news is that I know I'm going to kick this idiotic virus. And that's all that matters in my life right now. I want to see my kid graduate. And I don't want anyone else's liver, if I can help it.

Nothing personal - just... I dunno - I think there's someone out there who might need it more than me or something weird like that.

Vampire Kitty Cat - please keep writing.

Savvy - love you hon - you know you're awesome - always will be.

B - girl - you think so much... and it's cool.

Tanya - sweetie pie - much miss you too.

Jeff - Oooh sometimes I just want to pinch your cheeks.

Mark - you're amazing with all the work you do.

Karl - you're forever my angel.

Heather - rock on girl.

And everyone else - you're just awesome and thank you!

Lady M

Just a quick update...

Saturday family leaves to go to Texas.

Wednesday I go down for treatment, biopsy, etc. So I probably won't post until I get back on or around the 17th. (Until then, I'll be just freaking out and trying to get the insurance in order, etc.)

Thank you all for your heartfelt words and best wishes. I'll take all of those to the bank to make me feel better. They've given me smiles - and that's just superb.

Hugs to each of you.

LMAO - at Heather - no wipes. Too funny.

You're all very special people and I'm glad to know you.

Lady M

For Amanda Brice - Heather - LOOKING 4 LOVE - MOCK COVER

For Heather - Amanda Brice - 4 women in DC Looking 4 love....

I hope you like it!

Lady M

Mark Pettus - MOCK COVER - For COWBOY POET DIARY

This one is For Mark - Mark - I took liberties with the concept... LOL!

Hugs to you - and thank you for your wonderful writing!

Lady M

I APOLOGIZE *PROFUSELY* For my absence.

First - I'd like to thank everyone who wrote me - I have had several hundreds of emails to pour through - and I thank you all for your thoughts and keeping me in your mind.

There's no easy way to just up and tell folks what happens in your life - but life can and does change overnight.

Sit down and grab a cup of coffee....

Somewhere around our lice catastrophe and and my daughter breaking her arm, I started getting pretty fatigued. I started having problems remembering things. Not like what car keys are - but when did I last have them, oh... they're in my hands. Or what was I talking about... or what did you ask me to do? (I'm sure this one annoyed my boss... LMAO!)

Anyhow - Of course - me, feeling like I've been a hypochondriac all my life... I've always had aches and pains... felt icky and a little under the weather... I chalked it all up to getting older and being a parent - and being married. LOL!


But when I couldn't remember a task someone told me to do only 5 minutes before, I started getting a little worried. And then, my cartilage in my ribcage felt like it was separating and there was a horrible pain under my ribs in the back.

Me - I figure I've got diabetes. So I go in for the tests....

Noooooo... Not diabetes. Not cancer. Not you're nuts go home...

The last thing I expected - Hepatitis C. In advanced cirhosis stage.

Say WHAT?

Like how the "F" did I get Hep C? (OK - I'm NOT a virgin... but I've always practiced safe sex - and my hubby - well he's been a pretty safe guy too. I HATE needles - and never really thought drugs were anything to mess with. Did I mention I HATE needles? Oh... Cause I couldn't remember. I was an EMT - but I never had a needle stick that I can remember - no openly bleeding people with me having unprotected cuts or wounds - nor did I remember anyone having any blood get into my eyes or mouth, etc.) AND - because I was an EMT - I was clear of all HEP viruses in 1991.

Turns out I've had 2 shots of Rhogam in my life and 2 surgeries. (Rhogam is a blood gamma globulin - used in women who are RH negative, with an RH positive father of the baby - so the woman's body doesn't miscarry the baby.) I had the Rhogam while I was pregnant with my daughter - who will be 10.

So - this was dropped in my lap... And while it was dropped in my lap - the internet server was out - for almost 3 weeks. They had to relay cable here to my house because the line goes under out pond which was frozen at the time. I live on the smallest community on an island in Alaska. Sigh - no information was available - I thought I was going to die or was dying right then...

Pass the XANAX - oh boy...

Unless of course you want a screaming, incoherent babbling woman - who has no idea what the *F* all this is...

So here I am thinking I'm going to die any day - LOL - ok - maybe in a few years - and no way to find out more information.

I'm one of the first people - clinically diagnosed with Hep C in our Community - so the doctors had no clue. I was poked from one end to the other ---- DID I MENTION I HATE NEEDLES?

So looking like a pin cushion we learn we have to find out what my viral load is - and what genotype... Of course the doctors didn't know we needed to find this information out...

And at the time, they didn't have the concept of all the things we were supposed to be looking for - etc. All fun... To be sure.

I got poked some more - while I'm having a practical breakdown - freaking out - afraid to touch anyone cause I might give it to them - and terrified that I'd passed it on to my kid.

I have to figure out who else I may have passed it on to ----- I'm panicked - yeah - let's just say the XANAX is a wonderful thing. A very wonderful thing. I've never had panic attacks before - and now I have - so my sincere sympathies to anyone who has ever had one!

Turns out - HEP C is not "THAT" contagious... It's pretty much a blood to blood issue - Not caught by hugs - or kisses - probably not even sex unless both people have openly bleeding cuts... Can't get it from toilet seats, showers, chairs, tables, other bodily fluids unless they contain blood --- but I didn't know that then - MORE XANAX please.

So - now we've narrowed it down to three possibles of how I got it - I've gotten much more information. I go in for a second biopsy on my liver - on July 13.

I have to fly out of here to do it. I'll be going on a treatment called PegInterferon/Ribivarin.

The forgetfulness was caused by an ammonia buildup because my liver wasn't processing it properly - and it was making me an absolute basket case on memory loss. It was one of the freakiest things I've ever seen happen to me.

The first couple of weeks - I was panicked - the third week I was kind of depressed - and then after we found out that my husband and daughter were completely clear of the virus - Everything started getting a little better.

The stuff they gave me to clear out the ammonia (lactu something make you pooo and vomit for hours and days) was icky...

But other than that - We just need to find out how bad it is - and if we can knock the virus down.

Which - THEN --- the GOOD news ---- We found my genotype was 3a... (Which is UNUSUAL in the US) However - has a 60 -70% clearance rate using the interferon/ribivarin.

They currently think the cirrhosis (I thought this was something only people who drank a lot of alcohol got... ha ha.... Ya learn something new every day....) is in middle stage - but with the next biopsy we will know for certain...

So ----- Now you know why I haven't been here- or much of anywhere. I'm sooooo very sorry for not talking. I wasn't mentally prepared for it and I was just totally exhausted just trying to be a mom and go to work. Thank GOD the hubby cleans. LOL!

To me - Hep C - well it was something Druggies and Prostitutes got...

Boy - was I wrong.

And now - I'm learning that it isn't even all that bad - Yeah, I'm sick right now - but chances are I will be getting better in the next 6 months.

I also have learned that if you tell people - which I plan to do... I don't think it is something I should be ashamed of... You have to tell them how they can and can not get it - with paper work from the CDC or something - because their first question is:

HOW did you get it? (Of course, as they back away slowly away, holding their breath and imagining the cooties jumping from me to them... )

It kind of hurt my feelings - but I had to laugh... When I told the girls at work - The next day - there were about 10 cannisters of Clorox Wipes Antibacterial in the bathroom and near the keyboards and phones... (First - those things don't kill the virus... sorry to disillusion you. Second - Hep C is NOT that contagious.... Sigh.... ) So instead of getting pissed off - I just didn't say anything - see - cause the way I see it - They are protecting me from their germs - because my immunities are down - LMAO!)

So needless to say - Yeah - I've neglected blogging - I've neglected a lot of things - Damn, I've got to clean my house - and right now there isn't enough coffee to feed me intravenously to give me the energy to move around.

I will be a little more active shortly and in a few minutes - I will post 2 covers I did the day before my life fell apart.

I'm picking up the pieces - so thanks for listening.

And know - I'm keeping my sense of humor - I'm a little freaked out still - but a lot better than last week - and a few weeks ago.

I've got a great family - and I've found the information I've needed for the things I'm supposed to expect and how to deal with this. My posting will return to more normal shortly - and I'll start doing covers again - for folks - because I LOVE doing them.

I just haven't been in the mental or physical state to talk about it- or even to get online to be sociable - or human.

Oh - pass the Xanax please. LOL!

I love you guys- and all of your emails --- I just got done going though about 800 emails and over 70 of them were from you guys - your made me smile and gave me tears - because you thought enough to care.

Hugs,

Lady M

Domynoe's Mock Cover - The Assassin's Choice - Denyse Loeb

First - this young lady has worked VERY hard for her novel - which is the first in a Trilogy series.

Lots of detail and hard work. Not to mention - she's an artist.

The Woman in the picture ---- Denyse drew herself. I just cleaned up the outer edges and gave it some depth/transparency. So truly - She did the hard work - I just arranged it on a background. *G*

http://www.alden.nu is her website about this - but she has so many for awhile there, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to make it on. I made a few covers before I was happy with this one.

I think she'll like it!

Have a splendid day all - and yes - I've got more covers coming - but I'm low on time - so please know that they will be on the way fairly soon.

First Apologies - then I'll do a cover...

Sorry I've been neglecting Blogger for the past week.

The connection ISP went down for 2 full days and was intermittent for 3 - they figured out that the cable that goes to our house froze under the pond in our front yard area and when it would freeze, it would shut off the cable. LMAO! So we had weather dependent cable - TV signal was fine... but the internet part wouldn't work - or it would work for a few moments and then nada.

That and the next door neighbor has a big Dodge and ran over the box. So we were broadsided. I could get a comment in if I could get it up - but only for a few moments. Ugggh.

Then my sweet petunia broke her wrist in 2 places which made us run from doctor to doctor trying to figure out if we had to fly off island to get an Orthopedic Surgeon because it cracked up into the growth plate. About a grand worth of visits and a grand worth of X-rays, and they full length casted her yesterday. Wooohoo! She went with light blue - and her classmates have already decorated it with 4th grade scrawlings. LOL! In 3 weeks they'll make another thousand dollars worth of decisions on whether she'll need surgery but for now, we're in the clear of having to fly outta here. (sigh).

Now she's "Your Highness".

"Mom, could you scratch my nose?" "Mom, could you get me a glass of water?" "Mom, could you write my homework for me?" "Mom could you change the channel?" "Mom could you zip my pants?" Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom. *G*

Other than that the dog decided to go into shed mode.

This would be ok if we didn't have burgundy carpet - and she wasn't a light haired German Shepherd. We now have a beautiful light pink furry carpet that has to be cleaned 3 or 4 times a day from end to end. Part of me says - dog stays outside... the other part says she's part of the family and that's just life. LOL!

So - there - in a nutshell - ya have my life... Can we trade for a day? I'm sure your life is much more interesting.

Now on to Domy's cover. I think she'll like it. See ya on the next post.

Ta dah - Here she is... LOL

Hi everyone - meet my kid.

Well - at least meet her lovely fractures.

Grrrrr... Internet ISP down for days...

If anyone has emailed me - my provider has been up and down - and rejecting everything for 3 days. No online service for me for 3 days is like - uhmmmm can we say "torture"? I've been able to get a few comments in - as long as I don't take too long - (and we're talking me - the queen of the long winded post - GRIN)

And to top this lovely day off - LOL! My daughter went rollerskating and fractured her wrist in 2 places.

What a weekend - eh?

Hugs off to everyone - I'm not ignoring you - I promise!

Lady M

Larry Moon - Blue Moon Productions - Intimate Reflections Mock Cover

For Larry - Sometimes getting the words on paper is the hardest thing. A little encouragement is all he needs!

This little Blog of Mine talks about life - as we know it. Poetry, memoirs and more. If you get a chance, go visit this very mild mannered guy - and I hope that this totally original cover makes him smile.

Please don't laugh at my inept artwork - LMAO! It really is a BLUE MOON (his design logo name) made into a flower... I tried - no peanuts thrown at me - alright? :P

Take it away Larry!

I'm waiting on an answer from Mark and from Domynoe - (Mark - what do you want it on... The blog - or something spectacular that you're writing? Ya know - I could do one just on your awesome chaps... LMAO! Domy --- I want more info on Arden. I sent an email. I think I could have a blast on that. Jeanette - OOooh Baby - just looking for the right images... )

Hugs all!

Lady M

Michelle As Leigh Royals Mock Cover - Contance of The Carolinas

This one was probably the hardest one so far.

I learned a lot more on how to manipulate some of this program - and I put that learning to use in making this cover. Doing People on covers is not easy. Especially if you're trying for period costume dressing... So like all of the other covers - I took liberties with the author's descriptions and ideas - and implemented my own.

I thought about the story line - and what I imagined would be a "scene" set up out of it. What would happen if... And how does.... And where.... And that is how I came about making this particular cover.

Egads - while I know the people and costumes aren't perfect - I wish that I had a gaggle of props and images and models now - this is so much fun - I feel limited by the few things that I have... And like every woman in the world - LMAO! I want MORE!!!!

And now I invite you to ROMANCE DIVA's New Mock Cover:

Domynoe, BlueMoon, Mark and Jeanette are the next in line for book covers. Hugs to everyone.

Lady M

Please Go Visit Alexandra - She's not feeling well...

And after being almost grilled by a car - I don't think most of us would be.

So - please go stop by and offer a word of cheer to Alexandra Wolfe at The Wry Writer.

Thanks. Night for now - Hugs to all - and Mark and Domynoe, youse guys are the next ones.

AGAIN - IF I HAVE MISSED YOU - PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Rene Miller - Mock Cover - The Darkest Midnight

Rene has such a sweet, lovely website that when she told me what her story concept was - I about fell over.

It was the last thing I expected: Paranormal, psuedo-horror, romance, gothic.

OK - so it wasn't so horror "ish" but when I read it, I kept getting this "dark" almost evil feel to the cover that I had to do it.

It may not be exactly what her story is about - but I will say I delighted in making the complete opposite concept of her website that I giggled the entire time making this.

On a side note - our darned ISP group crashed last night until this am and they let all of us know that it will be intermittent for the next day or so.

My days off are coming up and I LIVE for the web on my days off. LOL!

Grrrr. They better not.

I have Mark, Domyno as next and if I've missed you - Just poke your head in here and let me know please. I'm scatterbrained about this time of the week.

I'm telling you - these covers are fun to make... If I knew that I'd have this much fun doing them I would have persued doing this in college. They are exciting to watch take shape and the feelings behind them are simply amazing for me. OK - not as exciting as reading Savannah's yummy stuff - but pretty darn close.

OK - now for gorgeous Rene Miller! with her Cover - THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT:

Sela Carsen - Mock Cover for COLD RUNE!

Sela has a great story line heading up!

I wanted to try more artsy - eerie - effect on this one - but with a touch of Sci-fi and Thriller in it.

I also wanted to implement the concept of the story - (Sela, I hope I got it about right - this is one of about 4 I was playing around with - and for some reason I liked this one best) A story she'll have to explain.

I'm working heavy shifts (if you guys haven't noticed I'm quiet on the blogster from Saturday to about Tues.) so I'll be doing the next requests. If I've missed you - let me know Rene and Mark are next.

I'm dying to hear what Brown Trout thinks of his! LOL!

Sela - let me know if it's anywhere near what your ideas were.

And without any more gabbing - here she is - SELA CARSEN in ALL Her GLORY!

Justin Rodgers Updates

I'll post them in the reply section - they are Long.
This is one of my co-workers who MIRACULOUSLY survived a plane crash!

Anyone else up for a cover?

I think I've finished everyone's cover besides Sela, which I'm waiting for an answer on some questions... and she's vacationing! *YAY-hope it's fun!*

So if I've missed your request - or you haven't made one - now is the time.

Shout out to Savannah who is taking a blogging break and hugs to everyone!

MARK - YOU OK?

THE BROWN TROUT - An HONOR to do - Mock Cover

Very few people in the world can write something that affects me so much inside that I realize that there is an extreme LITERARY talent creating those words.

The Brown Trout - an author who prefers to remain anonymous, is exactly one of these types of people. This writer runs you through a gamut of emotions - stark, lively, funny, sad, abrupt, obnoxious, wistful, dreaming, sarcasm, wit and so many more, that it is quite wonderful to read.

Perhaps there is a braggart in all of us - but this writer - regardless of who He truly is or is not, does not matter. The words upon his blog have captured me - leaving me waiting to read more of the escapades of the mind and heart - that the writer adventures on. It is almost like stepping inside someone else's shoes for just a few moments.

The story is, in my imagination, a memoir of searching through life for that one thing - without knowing precisely what it is - but knowing you must search for it. Whether it be women, fishing, wine, flying, love ---- it doesn't matter - but the search for it does.

I took liberties with giving the book a title - and for all of the ideas and images behind the story. It is how I view this writer's style and life from what has been shared.

So without saying any more - other than you had better go read through this blog... It is a treasure you might miss if you don't... Here is the mock Cover for The Brown Trout's Next Book:







Brown Trout - I hope you enjoy this... And find it to be a part of you. -Lady M

PS. I'm waiting on some feedback from Sela to finish up her cover - she's on vacation and I have a few questions first.

PS. AGAIN... I never thought I'd be doing covers - but I've had more fun making these up for you AMAZING WRITERS!

Desie - Dracul Mock Cover...

I'm not exactly sure how this is going to show up in Blogger. It could be an interesting match.

This cover is made to be "Mystical", time transcending and unique. I tried some new ideas and different tools (Freaking out every single move - *g*).

There are a lot of elements behind the story on this cover - let me just say, it is fantasy/reality/spiritual/justice/time space warp differences meshed together. It is neither here nor there, but all of it combined.

I didn't quite get the Sexing up into it - because it just didn't feel "sexy" to me... More of an ethereal dream quality - of truth and fantasy mixed together. It was a misty feel for me... like the edge of waking up, the dream still there, but your mind is already focused on work.

The puffin - well... that's just there because... well... because the author likes puffins. LOL! And I thought it would add a very unique edge to it! *G*

This one is very "ARTSY" and took time in the creation of it.

So I tried to capture that in the mock cover. I hope Dracul likes it.

OK - Blogger and I are having a disagreement - it doesn't want to upload the picture like Jo's so give me just a few more moments and I'll edit and add it.

MG Tarquini - Mock Cover For Lala Scrivano!

Ladies and Gentlemen - I invite you to peruse MG Tarquini's - Lala Scrivano's New Adventures from the Snark Files!

Note the Versace glasses... The pants that have been dropped to the floor... Note the dripping diamonds of Lala's Author. Lala in Snarkville had an attitude that was simply dipped in gold and encrusted with sparklies.

I didn't want to go too overboard... Lala - from what I've seen - has many facets. Many different adventures and many different styles. For me - what stood out was her peering over her Versace glasses at the gentleman taking such good care of her. A Dynasty in that Adventure. :P

So MG - I hope you like it. It almost had whips and piles of books and all sorts of stuff, but then I sat down and thought about it. Lala has class and gumption. :P

Folks - do go visit MG. She's got lots of good information on her site for those who are into the craft of writing. Hurry - Go peek.

Savannah - Faith - Bernita - Tanya and other Erotica Authors!

Hurry - check out this post on Kristen Nelson's Blog.

You might be interested: Erotica Authors - City that Never Sleeps

Some days are more creative than others...

This is first - a shout out to Chris - if he happens to stumble on to this blog - as "if" he would, or "if" he would even care. Dude - one of these days...

Second - this is a call out - I've finished all the requested covers.

ANYONE ELSE WANT A COVER?

I've truly enjoyed making them and if you'll browse through the blog and the muddled up stories throughout the blog - you'll see 12 of them! Yikes!

So if anyone is interested - just ask - I'll be glad to make you happy!

Thank you all for the comments on my Flash Fiction Down below "The Trickle". The compliments coming from some of you humble me greatly. You're all such GREAT writers!

Alrighty then - I'll be heading off to sleep - and will check back in on your blogging lives tomorrow.

Hugs to all!

Lady M

Jo Bourne's Cover

I read through Jo's site - and I learned a lot about her.

Mostly that she's a down to earth, nice lady - who loves animals.

One story particularly had me in stitches... The one about the cat up the tree... LOL!

Go read it and enjoy!

She's a writer of the Napoleonic Era (Is the the right way to say it?) of Historical Romance. So I penned a novel name for her - But I just HAD to implement the Tree... LMAO!

OK Jo - I hope you like it and I hope I spelled everything correctly!





Blogger and I had some issues with uploading this one... Grrrrr.

The Trickle....

I know that I want to finish up Crime Dragon - but I want to write it when I'm in a very happy mood, because... well... because Bob deserves that! LOL!

I have this Flash story running through my mind and I want to share it with you.

The Trickle
Lady M

I've been sitting here, trying to die for hours.

It isn't my first time either.

Last time, I took some pills and washed them down with Jack Daniels. I can't stand Jack Daniels any more than I can stand my life so it seemed appropriate, some how. But I will be loved if I die. Somehow, I know this to the core of my very being.

The time before that, I tried to gas myself out of the house. The neighbors complained and beat on the walls, truly interrupting my plans. I mean, who wants to die with a ruckus going on of broomsticks hitting the ceiling? I think I can remember the sounds of those brooms, but it seems so distant now.

This time, I am a little more ingenious. I set my bath to nicely warm. Steamy curls of mist rolling off the claw foot tub surface. The water barely rippled by the slow flow of water. I immersed myself to chest level and sat there, letting my body relax after a nice glass of champagne.

I had bought Cristal, using the last of my savings. I deserved an expensive goodbye. It is my choice to feel elegant. To be glamorous in this one last picture frame of my life.

I take out the razor, careful not to cut my fingers. This must be clean, I think to myself.

This must look perfect.

I start at my left jugular vein and slice a gaping mouth into my throat. I do not feel the blood dripping down.

I feel nothing but a sigh of relief.

Yet...

I am concerned as I see the hand holding the blade is hairy, and does not have my manicured nails.

How can this be? I have done this myself, have I not?

What is that trickle?

I hear it.

Along with the lub dub dub slowing of my heart.

And who is that laughing?

What is a man doing in my bathroom?

How did he get in here?

Why am I in my bathtub?

What................................

"But your honor, my client says that she wanted to die and he did nothing but assist her wishes." The Defense Attorney paced as he spoke.

"Your client is a serial killer who drugs women and uses hypnosis on them to make them kill themselves." The Prosecutor announced, causing a murmur amongst the jury.

"I object!" The Defending attorney yelled.

"Overruled. Gentlemen, please." The Judge ordered from the bench. "I don't want to be here all day - Prosecution go ahead and finish your questioning."

"Do you practice hypnosis?" The Prosecutor asked.

All eyes looked expectantly at the man sitting under the glare of television cameras.

"Yes, " the man lisped out through a half smile.

"Did you hypnotize this lady?" The Prosecutor pointed to picture of a smiling woman.

"Yes," Another smile.

"Did you tell her to kill herself?"

"Objection - that is heresay!"

"I'll answer," the man looked at his attorney who sat in openmouthed shock looking at him as if he were vermin, and instead of arguing, the Defense sat down.

"I gave her what her heart desired. I told her she could be free with me. That I would always love her."

"You'd always love her?" The Prosecutor echoed.

"Of course. I love them all." He nodded.

"And you told her to commit suicide?" The Prosecutor prompted.

"No. I told her she had tried it before. That she had not suceeded."

"And?"

"And I told her if she wanted to be with me, she must succeed."

"She believed you? That she had tried before?"

"Of course, I'm no charlatan hypnotist. They all believe what I want them to." His chest puffed up with pride.

"And you make them go through with it?"

"No. I get them relaxed. I set them up and I tell them I will always love them as I slice their throats, using my own hand over theirs." He smiled up at the Prosecutor as if he were a child proud of his work.

"I see... " The Prosecutor took a few steps and turned. "Did you do this to the other women in those pictures?" He pointed at a row of beautiful women.

"I did. Everyone thought the women did it themselves." He said with a shy smile "They all wrote notes and let everyone know that they had planned this." He giggled, "I even had one call her boyfriend only moments before."

"That's why you never got caught?"

"Of course."

"What did you do with them?" The Prosecutor asked, amazed that he was getting the answers he already knew to be true.

"I tasted them. I loved them. I took them into my body. I truly loved them." His eyes took a dreamy far away look.

"Did you love them all?" The Prosecutor pointed at the pictures of the women again, trying to not show the disgust he felt.

"I did love them all. Down to the last trickle." He licked his lips as if tasting something satisfying.

If You Could, Would You? And for how long? Tell me the story....

Alrighty then.

Here's the interesting idea that MagZ just gave me.

If you could change your SEXUAL GENDER for a specific amount of time...

Would you?

For how long?

What would be the first few things that you would do (ahem... besides feel yourself up.)

Where would you go - to see if it was really different?

Hmmmm?

Snark Contest

While I hold no illusions of winning - now that the voting is done...

I shall admit which one is mine. LOL!

#2

That was a fun contest - thanks to Miss Snark! Please - if you haven't already - go visit this young lady.

Princess of Two Loves...

Sometimes...

Just sometimes...

You meet someone - and you know... You just know you're supposed to be with them.

No matter what circumstances are in your life - you feel something deeply and you can't explain it.

A moment - a kiss... something.

And you don't know what it is.

You want to run your hands all over them - you want to kiss them and feel them below or above you. You want to mesh with them - yet, you don't even know them.

It's so passionate. It's beautiful and horrible at the same time. You have no idea where these feelings come from. You have no concept of what causes them - you shouldn't even be thinking them ----- yet... there they are.

I have that feeling for one person I've met and I can't explain it. It is magic and awful and beautiful at the same time.

It's like meeting a soul mate all of a sudden - and they don't recognize you.

And the saddest thing - it will never happen... not that I would want it to. But it will never happen.

So I walked into a room - and there they were - the person whom I've always felt this around.

And I couldn't say anything more stupid.

I couldn't say anything more plain.

I couldn't make my intentions more known.

I'm married, I think - but what is marriage...

I toss passion to the wind and remember who I am.

The Crown Princess. The Royal Family... Yet - there in front of me is the one I wish to be with... I go back to the mansion - and amongst the furs I dream.

Crafty Chica Cover - This one was fun!

Actually - this one was a blast making...

Hubby got involved and drew the Dias De Muertos (forgive me - it means Day of the Dead - a very large celebration) picture.

I wanted to implement the authors own cigar box and creative lifestyle - so the glitter and art items represent the crafts and glitter that she so loves.

I also did not want to just "copy" her website and make something she already "had".

I opted for less bright Mexican colors - because I wanted to highlight the Skeleton and Frida PLUS the arts and crafts AND Glitter - and the originals that I did with those colors didn't mesh well. In fact they were so horrible my husband took offense - and he's Mexican. LMAO!

I have to admit this was probably one of the harder ones for me to do, even though it was fun - because my hubby took a lot of interest in it. Instead of me just doodling along and playing with things - he would stoop over my shoulder and say - "GET RID OF THAT! Or maybe you should add this." LOL! Ay yi yi!

The shoes represent the three women in her book - one is a Bohemian, one is a star beauty and one is your frumpy housewife.

The picture of Frida - a very famous Mexican artist - is one of Kathy's passions.

I hope this makes her smile - Everyone - Welcome Kathy Cano Murillo into the world with The Crafty Chica Chronicles!

LMAO!

You guys - please ignore any artistic errors in the covers... I'm really new at this.

Please know that before I did Savannah's Mock cover way down at the bottom - I had never considered doing anything like these before.

I am very new to the programs and very new to trying things out. So some of the mock covers will look different as I try unique ideas out - that may or may not work - LOL!

Forgive ahead of time any errors on the artsmanship. I think I flunked Kindergarten art. Really. I think. Hugs to everyone visiting - have a splendid day!

Lady M

Lisa Pulliam - Cursed to Hate, Bound to Love Mock Cover

This one is for Lisa Pulliam who has a lovely WIP for Cursed to Hate, Bound to Love... and from what she's told me about it and what I envision from the words on her site - this is my imagination of what I think the cover might look like! LOL!

Please take a moment to visit her site and check her sweet blog out!

Now - please note - she likes PINK... LOL! So - as a fitting tribute, pink is it.

These are Mock up Covers and the images used for them cannot be used for commercial purposes without written permission - so please - if you want to use them for something more than just fun, blogging and giggling around with friends and family - and you want to get serious about them - Please email me and I will do what I can to make it so you can use it commercially on products that will be sold or purchased.

May you have a splendid day - And I'm off to bed. I've got a couple more covers to do - if anyone else would like one - please just let me know!

Lady M

Ray Rhamey - Vampire Kitty-Cat Cover

Alrighty Ray - I hope you like this one. LOL!

Doing the artwork was highly amusing... *G*

I'll try to do some more tonight - but if you guys haven't gone over to Ray's site and read about PATCH the vampire kitty-cat... Then you're totally missing out. This is one cute, well done WIP.

Go on... Go giggle. It's fun!

Not ignoring you...

I'm pulling some long swing/grave shifts right now. And I lost an hour (precious hour) of sleep. :P

I'll post on the morrow. Hugs to everyone...

Vampire Kitty is next on the list for covers - if anyone else has requests that aren't in the last few cover posts - let me know in this one and I'll will gladly do them for you!

Lady M

Savannah's new Hottie Cover... *G*

Savannah - I love this one. I'm sorry - but I was drooling while I made it.

I hope you semi like it... And you can add on to it - or take away as you like. Huggggs!

Does anyone get that brooding feeling from Mr. Macho?

A Word about My Art talents... Or lack thereof

ROFLMAO!

Uhmmm... Until I was playing with Savannah's Cover as a joke mock up - yesterday - to make her smile, I had never thought to make a cover before.

I'm just learning (seriously - like as in last 2 days) how to use the program that lets me move things around.

So if the covers are horrid - or if you find something horribly wrong with them, I would like to apologize first hand. They are just figments of my imagination on how I see my fellow bloggers.

Most of which - you guys are writers ---- AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU DESERVES A COVER!!! You all deserve to be published. I go to some of your blogs and it makes me want to weep at all the incredible talent I see on those pages.

So - I figure - I'll give you all a little inspiration with the mock-ups and you guys do the leg work (or finger work, if you will). Now go get published! LOL!

Many Hugs to ALL of you.

Lady M

Lauren Roberts - Biblio Buffet Cover

Lauren Roberts is the editor over at Biblio Buffet. Along with some very interesting folks, they write reviews on books... Not just your every day commercial fiction being churned out - but literary works - obscure works... And anything with print on it.

Now - When I went to her site to get to know her - I noticed that it is done very professionally. Very upstanding... But done in serious black and white. Like typeset pages.

So wanting to set the color fairy free - and give her something new and unique, I decided to play a little with the things that she works on: Paper, Memos, Books, and titles. I also wanted it to be very flamboyantly artsy - but touchable at the same time.

So - go stop by the Biblio Buffet - Read some of the hard efforts of the folks over there - and have a great time!

And here's Lauren's new Literary Masterpiece :P :

MaggieZ - The Cover

Maggie is over on the Farm - so I had to think of what I would want to see from a farm - and of course... Animals were the forefront.

I read through her blog - down to the Horse Stomping incident and more! But I laughed the hardest when I read the recently posted story about the chicken who had been raised thinking she was human! So that one stuck in my head as I was making it. So I thought - ok - So Maggie is going to write short stories about life on the farm - and the animals who interact with her (Well, at least in my world, she is... LMAO!)

I came up with this - I hope you find it as charming as I found Maggie to be:

Cover For Miss Snark

ROFLMAO! OK - I've gotten on a Kick... This one should tickle all of your funny bones.

If you would like me to joke up a cover for you - I'll be glad to - just pop me a comment - and let me know where your website is - that way I can take a look at it and think about how I feel - so that I can just go with the flow... LOL!

And to the witty Miss Snark - goes the dubious honors of a New Cover for a book she's never written... But some day ---- Might.

Crapometer Posting - Looking for Serious Feedback

If you have a brief moment, my one chapter part was put on the CRAPOMETER - I would like some feedback, because this is a story I would like to sell...

And I could use all of the feedback to make it better. Feedback on the site would be fine - because it would put it all in one spot.

Especially wanting to make it a better hook to grab an agent by the ankles and dangle it, like a yummy worm, enticing them to really get excited about it. LOL!

It starts like this: (I've linked the words below to the actual story)

First Chapter
Prologue
He left the bodies there.

For Karl... I hope you enjoy this...

When I think of you writing - although your column is witty and hysterical... I sometimes see you as a dreamer - as someone who could write a novel like this. (But I will admit, I don't know your last name other than E. LOL!)

Karl - has his own column - so go visit!

If anyone else would like me to imagine a cover based on what I know of your writing from your blogs - just speak up - I enjoy doing this... I'm done for today - but they truly are exciting and fun to build!

Lady M

For Jeff... His Cover...

I couldn't help it - I had this image of your story in my head...

I know you haven't written it yet - but I can almost hear you typing it out. :P

For Jeff Neale - who IS going to be a Bestselling Author (and Yes -that is all one word for me!)

OK - so I got in the Mood to make another one...

Maybe I'll make one for everyone - LMAO! They're hella fun to make you guys.

So Bernita - this one is for you.

Again - These are just for fun... Kind of how I see you as an author - in an artistic way. I have no idea if you'll like it or not - but ----- it kept me amused - *G*

Same notice as below - Bernita Harris does not endorse this fake cover - I'm just doing it for fun and something to do... Maybe I'll do Karl next... Ooooh fun...

May I welcome you all to another Best Seller (at least in my muddled up head :P ):

Whispered Leaves
By Bernita Harris

Savannah's New Made Up Cover.

I got pretty bored when the ISP server went down. LMAO!

So... sometimes I get creative. I decided to play around with an idea for a cover of a book - and I just couldn't think of what I wanted to have on there... And Savannah's Sariah came to mind.

Now, granted - I'm not sure what Sariah is supposed to look like - or if Savannah's real name is Savannah Jordan... Or if she would ever consider naming a book such a thing... But never-the-less, I ambled on - laughing like a 2 year old the whole way through it.

I kinda like it. I have no idea what it will look like in the blog - so grin and bear it.

THIS IN NO WAY RESEMBLES SAVANNAH'S REAL SARIAH - NOR IS THIS ENDORSED BY SAVANNAH JORDAN - I WAS JUST PLAYING AROUND...

*But I thought she'd enjoy seeing what I was playing around with - since I couldn't get into her site to read this fantastic piece of erotica she just put up... LMAO!*

And without further ado...



The NUMBER ONE HOT SELLER

CHASING SARIAH
By Savannah Jordan.

Hugs kiddo - it was hella fun making it.

News on Justin - for those who want to know...

The Kodiak Daily Mirror

Aeromedix

We're all still just hoping for the best. But sometimes it is nice to share with y'all the things that happen to those we care about.

Crime Dragon - Prologue / Chapters 1 - 3 Links

For easier reading - I'm going to post links that will pop open a new window for each of the chapters of CRIME DRAGON... The on-the-fly writing that is the total fault of Anna Louise of Tor.

Truly - it is all her fault. *G*


Crime Dragon Prologue

Crime Dragon - Chapter 1

Crime Dragon - Chapter 2

Crime Dragon - Chapter 3

Blogrolling With Lady M

*GRIN*

I've had some fun on the blogs lately and I'm going to share it all with YOU!

You know you want to know what's going on - but sometimes you just don't have the time in between washing the dishes, getting the kids ready for school, folding laundry, working on your WIP and staring out the window - there just isn't enough time in the day, unless you're insomniac... Like me!

So I'll do the work for you... (Oh ok. Fine. It sounded at least a little interesting... LOL!)

The Crapometer has posted a couple of new stories lately - Elektra has started her own WIP and has more than 50 pages to it. Rock on Elektra, you can do it! Get over and read a few of the stories. Personally - I kinda liked Daemon Song...

Hint... One of the newly posted stories on the Crapometer is mine. It'll be easy to pick out - feel free to critique it.

Sela Carsen sold to Samhain Publishing and learned about it last night. I think everyone should go over there and give her a toast of congratulations! She's excited and well she should be - it's a dream come true for most of us! She's still in a sense of fog - so go easy on her.

Savannah Jordan, the hot hot hot hot hot writer blog buddy o'mine - just got an MP3 relacement for her broken one. No wonder Sariah was cutting guys to ribbons with her claws! So I've begged her to post her MP3 list, and I can't wait to see it! You truly should read through her blog - she's got some awesomely yummy stories in there that make you want to find the nearest love machine and be happily humming all day long! (Truly do not think what you're thinking... I can read you like a book! I'm thinking of The hubby - and humming while I clean the house... Yep siree Bob! I sure am... Uh huh... I have some parts of the London Bridge for sale... anyone interested?)

M G Tarquini - which rhymes with Martini, if you wanted to know - after running with the Bunions and creating a show of amazing talent - has now slumped into TAXville. If you have a moment, go share your commismerations with her.

Diana Peterfreund is doing something VEWWWWWWWY interesting. She's giving a select few writers the same plot issue - and having them all write a chapter or flash about it. It's a test to see if "it's all been done before" means that style and voice can't make the same thing quite a bit different. It's a very cool project - go take a peek. She's posted a couple of them.

Jana Deleon is one of the writers that Diana is experimenting with - so go read Diana's site where Jana's short of the plot issue is - and then hit up Jana for a word of praise. Jana is a neat lady - if you haven't already, take a moment to get to know her.

Karl - Karl - Karl - My man Karl... LMAO! - He's got another one of his column pieces out. So, is he for it? Or... is he against it? You better go read and decide for yourself. And Nope... No matter how many times you twist my arm, I'm not going to tell you what it is he is either for or against. *Ouch* fine... Alright I'll give you a hint. Human Hybrids. Go laugh over there, my arm hurts.

Mark Pettus - He is asking some interesting questions on his blog and getting great feedback. His latest in a series of 20 questions is about dealing with family - regarding your writing. Go post a comment. He'd like that. Also - check out his photo gallery - some pretty decent pics.
(Who said this: "Mark Pettus - AKA GREAT BUNS" ??? - whoever it was, was describing Mark's picture of the backside of him wearing Chaps and a Cowboy hat --- and yes he was wearing more than "just that" unfortunately --- that AKA GREAT BUNS surely hit it dead on! Sorry Mark... but hey... When ya got it - Flaunt it like J-Lo!)

Poetic Justice - Ann Marie - is putting up a new gallery. This awesome lady has some interesting art work. I think it's worthy of book covers, branding items, magazine ads and more - so if you're looking for some art - or just like to look at art - go check it out. Very interesting stuff.

Bernita Harris - This lady is awesome with a pen. Her wit is the quiet kind that steals into your brain and gets you thinking in a very slow, almost heated southern style way. She's put some great blog questions and thoughts out about writing - from erotica to dealing with the old things that you've put away and are just blowing the dust from them to peel back the front page... realizing that you've grown compared to your writing of long ago. Go stop by B's. She's a hoot in that quiet, calming, in your face way. And her comic sketches of hangars (dang, is it hangar or hanger? I've been around planes too much this week) . If you haven't been following them - They are simply amazing... I mean they're hysterical!

Gena Showalter - Beefcake Monday! The one thing that can make Monday's bearable! It's up and he's hawt! Gena is asking for folks on Myspace to Friend with her - so if you know folks - get 'em rolling in her direction.

Dorothy Thompson - Oh my word - I rolled over to her place and promptly fell outta da chair! She's got a dog - and that dog has her wrapped around his big toe. Oh boy - did I laugh. ***If you haven't gotten the New E-Book ---- WHICH IS FREE!!! FREE!!! FREE!!! ---- then you are totally missing out.*** It is about a group of authors who have gotten published and stories - by those authors, about what their lives were like and how it happened. Very good - and a nice read. Go sign up for it - it is emailed to you - and it's very simple... Worth every second of the download - PLUS some! Get it! Got it? Good!

Tanya - over at My Irrationalities - is keeping her readers on their toes with some play time. The new question game of the day is: "Guess the Book" just from the description and very little info. NO GOOGLING allowed! Go on... go see if you can guess which book they're talking about. Go on... I know you can do it!

Alexandra Wolfe - She did it!!! Hip hip hooray!!! She finished - Fin, Finis, Finale, The End! Oh yeah baby! I know that was a relief and a half! We had faith girlfriend - We all knew you could do it!

Anna Louise Genoese - She's posted her meme in photos - go check them out. You know I truly thought all editors were plush (Rolls Royce kind of plush) but she is a totally awesome, down to earth editor - and I'm truly glad to be reading her blog. She's informative, funny - wild, carefree but smart and analytical. If you haven't checked her out - now is the time! Besides - some day she's going to edit "Crime Dragon" for me... ROFLMAO - those of you who have been reading, know exactly what I'm talking about - it's all her fault that I'm on the fly writing about Bob. Just you wait - she'll die of laughter and write funny red things in the margins.... OF course, after she round files it.

Nadia - Agent Obscura is back from her Maryland Conference Jaunt and she's posted some hilarious memorable lines from meeting everyone - go howl in laughter and hope they weren't talking about you - or that those aren't your words... LOL! She's a very sweet agent from Firebrand. And she's been very Author oriented lately - so learn while you can!

Heather Dawn Harper - over at Heather's Blethers has a seriously hoot out and howl picture of a ZEN MOMENT.. Plus she tells about a conference - where she learned a secret. I think I kinda like that secret. Rock on Heather.

Jeff Neale put out a new Flash Fiction that will have you squirming for the invisible "creepazoid" factor... Kind of interesting that he posted this before the recent news broadcasts about the Pastor who was shot by his wife, for unknown reasons. Very interesting indeed. Jeff is pretty darn tuned into life - so go read it - and post a comment. Give the guy a high five for his hard work!


OK dokie - that's it for tonight... I'll come write some more about Bob - tomorrow... Hmmmm love first or Koala ears?

*G*

Sweet dreams to all!

Lady M
AUTHOR'S NOTE OF DISCLAIMER: Any and all mistakes about the blogs and their writers is mine own to claim. No blame shall be laid upon them - all those typos - BELONG to me. No one shall steal any misspelled words or grammatical errors - THEY ARE MINE --- mwaa ha ha ha!

To Justin - Dude, Am I Glad!

First I wanted to shout out to Justin Rodgers - one of the guys that works with me. He's out of Dillingham - and we're in Kodiak. Still, he's a part of our team and last week the plane he was flying crashed, and through amazing circumstances, he is still alive. Badly hurt - but alive I'm posting the story from THESTATUS.com (a patient/family website that lets the family post updated info).... We've been holding our breath for the last couple of days... Hoping he'd be fine - So without further ado - here's the story and the last update:

(Please ignore how the system typeset it.)

On Tuesday pm Justin was involved in an airplane accident while out trapping with his father out of Dillingham. Chuck spotted the crash, alerted search and rescue, several hours later Justin was recovered and sent to Providence for treatment. Lucky to be both alive and coherent, Justin was severely hypothermic and had sustained several major injuries which include but are not limited to the following:-many broken bones which include both ankles, tibia/fibula of right leg, hip/pelvic fractures of the right hip, cracked sternum, shoulder/clavicle/arm fractures of the left shoulder, left cheek/ocular bones of the face, and suspected cervial fracture to the neck.(The hip and shoulder remain dislocated at this time)- several moderate to severe lacerations over the body, as well as moderate to severe burns (2nd and 3rd degree).He arrived at Providence Wed. early morning and had surgery to repair some of the lower leg bone issues of the right leg on that same day. He will have surgery to begin the reparation of the right hip on Friday with possible shoulder/eye socket repair scheduled for Tuesday. These are the first of a very long series of reparative surgeries.Justin, although injured badly, is coherent and in good humor. Amazingly there seem to be no internal organ injuries and his cognitive faculties remain intact.They are keeping a close eye on him and his doctors are referring to him as a very, very strong and healthy man, and are amazed yet delighted with his condition and attitude.His wife Erika is here with him and is his rock, he is hers and they are holding firm together. Chuck and Jeanette are also present, as is his sister Jessica.Justin will remain in ICU until the end of the weekend, and only close family are able to visit him at this time, and this is limited as well. He will be at Providence for the next few weeks, but is currently in room 205 of ACCU for those who wish to send cards or notes. (He is not allowed to have flowers in the room at this time)However, we do have a visitation log book in the waiting area of the Adult Critical Care Unit for those who come to visit, and these encouraging notes are forwarded to Justin and he seems to truly appreciate them.Jessica is fielding most calls for the family at 398-8445.We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for Justin and his family. We are in awe and infinately thankful for the prayers and support. Words cannot describe our appreciation.Justin and his family also want to personally thank the rescue team and all medical professionals who have helped him. Without them, we wouldn't have him.

news updates26-Mar-06 02:12 PM - : Sunday early pm....Justin continues to do better and had another night of restful sleep last night. His swelling is decreased which makes him more comfortable.Nutrition is really important for the healing of Justin's burns and the burn specialist wants Justin to be consuming 3,000 calories/day. This can speed up the healing of the burns by approximately two weeks. This dietary requirement is not bad news for Justin because this means he gets to have as many banana-chocolate milkshakes as he wants. They are also putting additional protein in them to push it along.Justin continues to do everything that his doctors and nurses ask of him. He is still in pain but the staff is attending to this issue as best as is humanely possible. The swelling on his left eye is going down, too. He is now better able to open it and we suspect that there is visual improvement in that eye as of this morning. While not offical from the eye doctor, Justin does believe he was able to see Brett Gibbens through his left eye this morning.Justin will be remaining in Adult Critical Care Unit of Providence through the weekend. We'd heard that they were considering moving him out, but apparently the professionals thought better of it. Frankly, this makes us (his family) a little more relaxed as well. So, he will be staying put and will have a few recharge days before surgery on Tuesday.So, lets address Tuesday's surgery. Tuesday afternoon Justin is scheduled for surgery on his left shoulder to attempt repair to that area. Currently the upper left arm is broken into approximately four pieces, the clavicle and scapula are broken as well, and they anticipate significant cartilage damage will be found. There will be two highly skilled orthopedic surgeons addresing shoulder issues during this surgery. Additionally, the eye specialist will be placing a plate in behind the left eye to lift it from it's current position, rebuilding the eye socket itself. This will occur while Justin is under anesthesia and is only expected to take 20-30 minutes. ( Please be reminded that the eye area is not causing him significant discomfort.) Also, we hope that they will have time to address burn care issues while he is knocked out like they did last time.Again, Justin is being a real trooper (tee hee..) and we continue to be immensely proud of him and in awe of his attitude and courage. We thank you for all of your sentiment and support and would like to encourage you all to keep it up. Thanks for everything, you people are all beautiful to us.

Crime Dragon - Chapter 3 published FINALLY - how weird.

Blogspot is most definetely weird!

LMAO - Chapter three is three posts down...

Jeff - your idea came up. *G*. All of you - I will add your ideas in.... LMAO - even Alex's.

If anyone else has any requests, I'll put those in as well. LMAO!

Lady M

Test. Blogger Issues STILL?

OK guys - BOB will make his wish in either a few moments or in a day. I promise that as long as Blogspot lets me post, I will get it up. *grin -not that kind of up*.

I've been able to get in - but when it publishes, it dissolves into something like a million hour wait. And when I click back, it is gone.

Twice I've written it out. So this time, I'm going to get smart... LOL... I'm going to copy and paste to Word first - before sending to post.

See ya in a bit.
Crossing fingers... Clicking Publish Post...

Woohoooo! I WON...

Dudes and Dudettes - Check it out!

I won something from Slushpile - Yehaw!!

Thank you Scott, much appreciated. Y'all should visit this young man, as he deftly rounds up some excellent interviews, reviews and just over all commentary on the industry.

I'm already out there checking my mailbox... Is it here yet? :P

Crime Dragon - Chapter 3

Bob stood in front of the candles, the wish swirling in his mind. He wondered if he should silently say the wish to himself - or speak it out loud. He decided on speaking it, just in case.

He cleared his throat. Use the wish wisely, echoed through his thoughts.

"I wish that I had the magic of the world my mother spoke of so that I could better the world, to be able to shapechange and use magic at my discretion in spells that will never fade unless I want them to, without any limitations on the type of magic I choose to use, nor any limits to the powers - as long as it will serve to make the world a better place."

He stood there, waiting to see if he felt any different, but nothing appeared to have changed. He leaned down and blew a gentle puff of air through his nostrils to blow out the candles. They didn't extinguish. Had he gotten the wish correct? Did he need to do anything else?

The Knights came into the room, all of them smiling, including Baxter. Bob wondered how they had known he had made his wish.

"And the wish has been made, yes?" The oldest Knight asked as he shuffled over to look at the still lit candles.

"I think so." Bob looked at Bax and raised the scaled area above his eye, in an unmistakeable expression of utter confusion.

"And what did you wish for Dragon boy?" Bax winked at him. "A harem of women? An unlimited supply of video games? What? What?"

Bob studied the knights quietly for a moment. Then he shrugged his shoulders.

"I wished that I was magical."

The Knights of Splendor looked knowingly at each other and all nodded. Bob thought they looked like the Three Wisemen, scratching their beards and standing there.

Baxter's father, Raymond clapped his hands and the candles extinguished.

"You've done well, my dear boy. Very well." Raymond said.

"I've done what well?" Bob asked.

"You've chosen the right path, the one that was hoped for."

"Hoped for by who?" Bob searched the faces of the Knights of Splendor, trying to get some sort of idea of what exactly was going on.

"Ayuh. Hmmmph." Said the oldest Knight, pulling on his beard for emphasis.

"Ayuh, Hummph, WHAT?" Bob almost roared, hating to be kept in the dark about anything.

"Patience lad." The second oldest smiled warmly. "Patience is what you need. We'll tell you at our own pace. Remember we're old, unlike you."

"It's not that Bob isn't old - he's just stupid." Bax snickered loud enough for Bob to hear.

Bob tossed a crumbled up napkin from the table at him, which Bax deftly caught and threw back at him - hitting him right on the chest.

"Ahem." The oldest Knight cleared his throat.

"Watch out dude, he cleared his throat - always a sure sign that you're about to get bored to death." Baxter said in a quiet aside to the dragon.

The dragon resisted the urge to kick Bax lightly in the shins. It would have been fun to watch him double over, but this just wasn't the time.

"Bob, we've been your guardians since the day you were hatched. We have watched over you and have given you safety." He nodded at the other Knights and walked towards the living room to sit down. The rest of the crowd followed him and took their places around the circular built couch area.

"We were given this duty from the first set of Knights of Splendor, who got their orders from Lithay. The Knights guarded your egg until it hatched, passing down the responsibility with each generation until you were a dragling about 100 years ago." He waved his hand in the air for showmanship. "We watched you grow from a dragling, my brother and I being your caretakers from 60 years ago until I passed it solely to my brother, who in turn passed it to Thomas and then from Thomas to Baxter's father Raymond... and then to Baxter." He waved at each of the Knights as he mentioned them.

This part of the history Bob knew, but was always fascinated by it.

"So, in reality, Bob, you were hatched 100 years ago, but your egg took 700 years to develop."

Bob nodded again, showing he already knew that much. He was sitting on the edge of the couch, tensed and ready to hear more. The light glistened off of his scales.

"When we were given the responsibility for your safety, we were given a set amount of jewels and told how to invest them in our lives, so that there would be an abundance of wealth for all of those who had the duty to protect you."

Bob knew that they had oodles of money, all of them - and he had never wanted for much.

The oldest Knight pulled out a ledger from his robes. He opened it and placed it on the coffee table in front of Bob. He pointed a gnarled finger at the last line entry: 500,000,000.00 was listed. In dollars. Money. Dinero. Mooolah... Bob's eyes widened.

"That my dear child, was ten years ago. We've stopped adding it to this ledger and have instead started online banking. As is the way of the present and the future. All of these funds are in your name with the acting Knight on Duty as the executor in case anything should happen or if you needed assistance."

Bob looked at the round numbers and tried to imagine what he would even be able to purchase with that much money. It was staggering. And this was from 10 years ago? Wow.

"We also have taken care of our families quite comfortably."

"You very well deserved it," Bob managed past the dry lump in his throat. This was simply astounding and breath taking.

"We'd like to think so Bob. You've been nothing but a delight for all of us through the years. Watching you grow and learn and become a young adult in dragon years." He cleared his throat and took a sip of water that Baxter had brought him. "Now, to the wish issue."

Bob leaned forward and waited eagerly.

"When your mother passed down the order for the Knights of Splendor to take up your care, she also gave us direct orders... We were to never tell you until your 800th birthday of your past or your money, least it influence you. We were to not tell you about magic until this day, least you began thinking of your wish and became greedy, plotting it and planning it for years ahead of time."

Another sip of water had Bob ready to strangle him for want of faster output of information. He had to sit on his hands to make sure that he didn't jump up and down in a temper tantrum like a child. He was an adult now.

"Well, your mother advised us that you might wish for magic. We had hoped that this is so. However, we have no Mathinike to aid you."

"Mathinike?" Bob looked around quizically at the others who sat impassive and relaxed on the sofas. Did everyone know the story except him?

"A rooted tree that held magical properties that when combined with Dragon magic, created all of the magic in the world." Thomas spoke up from beside Bob. "The last of the Mathinike was used in transporting your egg to safety and in ensuring your safety for up to 800 years. The rest was destroyed by humans before then."

"Does that mean without Mathinike, whatever it is, that I will have no magic, if... if... if that is what I wished for?"

"That is not for us to say, Bob," Raymond answered. "We cannot begin to fathom the way magic now works, if it works at all. We can only read what has been passed down from Father to Son in the last 800 years. The Oracle that spoke to your mother, who forsaw the future, stated that you would be the greatest dragon ever and that you would rule in magic."

"He's the only dragon - Ever." Bax added.

"Shhh." Thomas elbowed him lightly.

"So let me get this straight.... Some oracle-future-fortune-teller told my mother that I would have magic and that I would be great. But without Mathinike, some unknown tree that no longer exists, magic is defunct?"

"Great. He thinks he's going to be great... That'll be the day, Scaley can't even beat me at Halo 2." Baxter snorted out and earned another jab from Thomas.

"That's about it. How the world will work, with your wish, is unknown to us and we have done our part. So that, my dear child, is all there is to tell you." The Eldest Knight stood up and stretched. "Now, let's have some cake."

Everyone stood up, leaving Bob alone on the couch. For a moment, he felt entirely alone in the room full of the Knights of Splendor. He felt left out - but then... the cake's enticing chocolate aroma lifted his spirits and he walked over to the table.

"Dude, need some ice-cream?" Bax asked as he headed towards the freezer.

"There's hardly any left after you ate it all, too bad it's not a never ending supply of ice cream." Bob answered. "Still, if you want some, help yourself. If there's a little left over, I'll take a little.

Bax opened the door and then stood there in open mouthed shock. "Whoa dude - I thought you said there was hardly any left."

"Yeah, you ate all the Rocky Road."

"Uhm... Maybe you better check this out." Baxter opened the freezer doors wide.

Lining the entire compartment were cannisters of ice cream. Bob stepped closer to take a look. Every flavor that he liked was there. Phish Food. Rocky Road, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry Cheesecake and others.

"Alright who filled this up for my birthday?" He looked around to the older Knights of Splendor while Baxter just stared at the Freezer, trying to decide which one would be right.

"I think," the eldest Knight stroked his beard with a twinkle in his eyes, "I think... yes, I do... that your wish has just begun." And he picked up a fork and placed a bite of decadent chocolate cake in his mouth. "Move aside Baxter, you fool, I want some of that Rocky Road."

Color Test from Emeraldcite's Blog - Whoa... Dude...

Talk about eerie...

Take it: http://www.colorquiz.com/

I took it from Emeraldcite's blog and I think it's worth going to visit.

Grab your Paxil before going.

Bob's One Wish - Still looking for some interesting tidbits

I asked for the readers of Crime Dragon - a WIP on the Fly in the Blog to dazzle me with their input on what they think BOB should wish for - with his ONE wish.

(LMAO - sounds so professional for just blog ramblings.)

I've gotten:

Girlfriend
Koala bear ears
Unlimited Ice Cream
Unlimited wishes

Anyone else have any suggestions?

No matter silly, wise, romantic or what not - I will try to include it in the story - even if it doesn't make it as the "ONE WISH".

So think away you... Give me something extravagant or simple - or wildly hilarious. I'll put it in somewhere... LMAO!

Lady M

OK now here's the Interactive part of the Story...

Get your latex gloves out folks...

I would like you to tell me what you think Bob's wish should be.

I have a few ideas of what I would like it to be - but I thought... hey - turn the story interactive.

I know where the story is heading... and a few differences might make it interesting.

So snap those gloves - dip your hands in and shout out your requests for "THE ONE WISH".

I'll be waiting.

My day on the blogs Reviewed:

On the by and by: Poetic Justice has closed down. I hope she keeps in contact.

Dana just Snarked Miss Snark - and Miss Snark LOVED it! Go read it... But put away the liquids first... And do put on your Depends. You'll need them.

Jeff has written a fab first chapter - this guy has some excellent skills of writing from a woman's point of view that it makes you appreciate his mother, his wife and all of the other ladies in his life!

Tanya at My Irrationalities put out the***CORRECTION*** (Tanya didn't write the review - she just put it up on her site so we could see the worst review in history - SORRY Tanya - We all know you'd never ever write something so horrid as that!!!!! You are far too kind, and a heckuva a lot better writer!) WORST Review ever made by a reviewer on Tess G. We're talking the reviewer needs to be saddled up to the shooting wall and wailed on with rubber bullets for a few hours. Whack that personality back into shape. Tanya has been putting out the snippets of Publisher's Lunch ---- and I'm so thankful that she does! Among asking some of the greatest questions around. Hurry up and go answer some of them - they're fun and inventive.

Alex has some grammar dos and don'ts... Boy did I catch some of my grave mistakes in there! But I have this compulsion to keep reading her ode to bras that hook in the front. Lordy Lordy Miss Alex. You give a gal something to laugh at! Go peek... but leave the bra hooked.

Savannah has Sariah in a back to back post - oh the girl is Sex-ay! If you don't know Sariah, then you don't know werewolves. So you better go get caught up on the whole erotica thing going on over there... This one will have you needing a towel... LOL! Hot mama!

Faith has some of her art work out. It's beautiful - go take a look. Nice stuff.

Trista has a cover coming out for her paranormal Vamp book - KUDOS! But she asks a decent question about ease of writing and changing from POV. If you've got a moment - go answer her.

A little unknown secret I have is going over to Lady T's website and catching up on all the reviews of stuff I couldn't see - because I work such weird hours... And she's a GREAT reviewer. So don't tell anyone... But do go visit. She does talk about Micah (LKH's new book) in her last post.

And my boy Karl - he keeps cracking me up... Without fail, I'm on the floor rolling with his columns and easy to read commentaries. Get ye there - or be square! Some off the wall stuff that you know you were thinking - although you'd never admit it! LOL! Go read the Superhero entry if you wanna roll on the floor a bit, holding your sides in.

Diana is taking folks on a memory stroll through some pictures - with a few added commentaries about the publishing industry - Great stuff Diana - LOVE the glacier walk one. If you don't know who Diana Peterfreund is, then you'd better take a moment and read about her. *g*

Kristen Painter has asked an interesting question about a Memorial issue - So go take a look... And think ROMANCE... Think everlasting... Or think plain old Yuck! No matter what you think... just take a moment to post it.

Gena has the Monday Beefcake - so worth going to visit - just to drool! Plus she tossed up some pics of herself with quite a few other ladies from the writing world. Take a gander... But the beefcake baby is MINE - hands off ---- eyeballs only. LOL!

Rene is asking for some vacation ideas - if you get a chance --- and have some great ideas - go on over and give her a shout. She's in need... Me - England would be fine. LOL! (WITHOUT THE KID and HUBBY... I wanna explore the crumbly castles... MY WAY... LOL!)

Bernita is writing more stories on Damie -- I think she's got a definite Kerouac touch to her writing... Almost screenplay material that is awesome to behold. So if you've been following Damie, or are just getting involved... Go check her out!

Agent Obscura has been running a "YOU BE THE AGENT" Quiz"lette". Go take part - BUT do not read previous answers. It's a very interesting experiment. I think you writers and bloggers will totally immerse yourselves in it and find it quite fascinating. Start here - don't read the other answers, or it will be no fun... But hold on to your hats, you're about to see what it's like to be an agent.

OK that's just a quick review on the stuff I read when I blog out.

Sweet dreams to all of you - and REMEMBER - you're all very good writers. Never stop believing that!

Lady M

VERY FIRST Rejection Response - Should I be totally Happy?

I just got this rejection for a partial that was requested, from an agent, whom I hold in high esteem.

Now, keep in mind... I have seriously queried only one agent.

(My very first, and only other query was a blundering mistake that I wish I could sweep under the carpet and forget about - so we shall just pretend it never happened.... LOL!)

Some of you have had rejections before. Is this a canned response... OR - is this a response that should give me hope?

Any and all answers will be read.

AND IN NO WAY DO I THINK BADLY OF THE AGENT WHO RESPONDED WITH THIS. I WOULD MOST CERTAINLY CONSIDER THEM AGAIN.

*Me, I'm trying very hard to believe that this means - "yah dahlin' you're writing was good - just not something I can work with, with who I know... but hurry up and get it to another agent, because I think they might like it" *

And drum roll puhlease....

After a careful reading, I'm sorry to say that I don't believe I am the right agent for you.

You deserve an enthusiastic representative, so I recommend that you pursue other agents. After all, it just takes one "yes" and with so many different opinions out there, you could easily find the right match.


Well? Anyone?

:P

Crime Dragon - Chapter 2

Ayuh - still writing - just got in from work, got the kid trying to break her piggy bank... I told her no, so she decided to get a toothpick to get all the quarters out through the slot - I suppose it's a creative way to follow my directions... LMAO - it's keeping her busy, so no complaints from me - I'll just put them all back in the piggy bank when she falls asleep.

Chapter 2

The Knights of Splendor stood around Bob's table. The Knights were made up of a trio of old men with white hairs and beards, Baxter and his father. The older men were Baxter's grandfather and two great uncles. All of them stood solemnly staring at the cake with the unlit candles. Eight of them. Each one signifying a hundred years.

Bob wondered why they hadn't lit the candles and was about to snort them into little flames when the eldest of the geriatric trio spoke.

"When we light these candles Bob, everything will be revealed to you - and our job of watching over you... Of our families watching over you, will be done."

Bob's heart beat fast in his scaled chest. What? Done? No more stewards from the Knights? Wait a minute.

"And when we give you the scroll, we ask that you take your time reading it and allow us to say our goodbyes." The old man continued.

"Wait a minute. What do you mean goodbyes?" Bob looked at them in disbelief. His dragon snout quivering in worry.

The old man sighed and looked at the others for confirmation. They nodded and he continued.

"Our job was to guarantee your safety until your 800th birthday. We have done what was asked of us. You must now become an adult on your own. You must choose your own path and we cannot interfere."

Panic settled into Bob's chest. What would he do without the only human contact he had been allowed? What would happen to him? Where would he go?

"What about Baxter?" His panicked eyes sought out each of the smiling Knights.

The middle old man stepped forward with a military precision and spoke. "Baxter may choose to stay or go. The Knights of Splendor will officially be over once your history is revealed." The second Great Uncle bowed his head, having spoken.

This meeting was so formal compared to all the previous meetings and especially compared to a birthday party. This felt like judge and jury instead of family. His blood raced through him as he began to feel insecurities weigh down on him. Icy tingles walked up his spine as he wondered what he would do without the Knights.

Bob risked a glance at Baxter who had his head bowed like the rest of the Knights of Splendor.

"What will happen to you all?" He asked quietly.

The last old man stepped closer to the table.

"We will all go back to our families and spend the rest of our lives, knowing we have done all that we could do to save you, like all of our forefathers before us." The third Great Uncle bowed his head and did not speak any further.

"What will I do without you all to take care of me?" Tears welled up in Bob's golden eyes.

"You will be fine Mr. Scaley," Bax spoke up, much to his great uncle's consternation. He quickly cleared his throat and bowed his head solmenly before anyone reached out and smacked him on the back of his head.

With nothing left to do, Bob reached for the cannister holding the scroll. For a moment, the world tunneled in on him but he forced himself to stand proud. His fingers hovered for a moment above the golden case. He steeled himself and touched it.

The moment his fingers touched the cannister, the candles on his birthday cake flared to life. Involuntarily his fingers closed around the cannister at the bizarre lighting. Surprised he clutched the cannister to his chest and looked at the candles curiously.

"What kind of trick is this, you guys?" He looked over at the Knights.

Baxter's father walked over to Bob.

"It is done my child." He patted Bob on the shoulder in a grandfatherly fashion. "Read and then make a wish and blow out the candles... They will stay lit until you have made your wish."

"I do hope he hurries," the middle uncle said. "I've been dying to try Elvira's chocolate cake."

"Oh do be quiet Thomas," The Eldest chided.

Bob stared down at the cannister in his hands and then back to the cake with the candles. He supposed it was now or never. He stalked over to a comfortable chair and held his breath for a moment. 800 years he had waited for this - and now, losing the Knights would be his reward. Some damn fine reward that was. He untied the crumbling leather lacings with reverence.

The Elder Knights and Baxter's father all quietly left the main room and stood outside the cavern, sipping mugs of tea or taking quick snatches from flasks. They had patience. And they would wait until his wish was taken.

Baxter looked back with a smile at his friend and charge for the last twenty years. He walked outside with the rest and stretched in the warm sunlight.

Bob barely noticed them leaving. His eyes focused on the intricate carvings on the gold. Detailed pictures of dragons. Like him. He'd only seen them online when he'd tried to find someone like himself out in the world. But no one had answered and the only other dragons he had found were fantasy creatures... myths... pieces of imagination. Where he was true flesh and blood dragon.

He slid the leather casing completely away from the golden tube. He carefully looked at the tube and then glanced at the candles. They were still burning and didn't appear to be losing any height, so he assumed that there was something special about them, but that would warrant a closer look when he was finished with this tube in front of him.

What's done is done, he thought and pulled the cannister open. He held it up to slide the leather parchment out. Eight perfectly cut 10 carat diamonds and two large blue sapphires fell into his hand as well. Bob carefully slid the jewels back into the cannister and closed it, placing it beside him in the chair.

He unfolded the parchment with reverence, afraid to tear it or damage it. He closed his eyes before it was completely open and held his breath for just one more moment. This was it. This was what he had waited all of his life for.

He opened his eyes and looked.

The words were scrawled in an elegant script.

To my Dearest child:

I am Lithay, the last female of the Splendor Dragons. The last dragon race of all. We were once a bountiful race, frolicking beside humans and working together.

But greed overtook those who hold such a short life

and those that fell into greed committed great crimes against the Dragons.

They destroyed the last of the magic in the world -

wanting no other force to be greater than they.

Not all humans are of this kind. Most humans are good, decent and of honor.

They are worthy of your love, your respect and of your protection.

But those that are not, have decided to destroy all dragons, for all time.

They come for me now, when you are just hatched and I must protect you.

I spoke with the Oracle Divine.

She advised me to send you to the future so that you may live a life free

of this hatred and menace and that you may continue on, where I leave off -

but in the future, where you may have a better chance of doing so.

I have entrusted your care to the Knights of Splendor -

they will take care of you through time.

I have left them instructions on how to find you in the future

and how to care for you until you reach your adulthood.

Toliver has written these instructions and I am sure that they will be followed.

My child of love I come to you on your 800th birthday to welcome you

into your adulthood.

Your very beginings were made from love and you will continue to be surrounded by love.

You are the last of your kind.

You hold the key to the survival of Dragons forever and

I believe in the Oracle when she says that you will be the greatest of all Dragons.

She says that you will overcome great obstacles and be an asset to the world.

I am already swelling with pride, my child.

With your 800th birthday, you will be given a wish.

One of magic.

Real magic, my son.

One where anything you wish for can happen.

Use this wish wisely to guarantee your safety and happiness.

Would I that I could be with you and watch you learn

how to talk and how to run and fly.

I will always be with you in spirit.

The Knights will be free to go and are no

longer to be servants for you as of this point on.

But treat them well, for they have been

everything to you that I could not be.

They are magnificent men and have

risked life and limb throughout history

to make sure you reached your 800th birthday.

A birthday marked by magic and splendor.

They are to leave you 10 gems so that you can live comfortably.

They have been paid and have been

instructed on how to make money grow in your world time,

so they should have amassed a fortune for you by now.

Be sure to reward them generously.

My son, I may be far away from you,

but you will always be in my heart of hearts.

Know that Toliver loves you as well.

Please ask the Knights someday soon for the stories

they have had to keep to themselves until now.

Make your wish son - and remember I love you.

Lithay

Dragon Splendor Queen of Trenton - Your loving mother

Bob reached up to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he held the parchment closer. It crumbled into dust against his chest. He did not cry more tears for this, since as he read, he had committed it to memory.

Each loving stroke.

He glanced over at the candles and closed his eyes for a moment. He stood up and walked over to the table.

His wish was held firmly in his mind as he blew out the candles.


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