I'm Back!

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything.  Like the old saying goes...Distance makes the heart grow fonder!!!  Ya all missed me, didn't ya!  I knew it! 

This is my two cents worth on the NFL lockout...B.S. on all the parties involved.  Now don't get me wrong I love professional football.  I live for Sunday's and Monday nights in the fall.  But enough is enough!  It's a damn game!  The owners and the players all get more money then they are worth, and yet every so often they whine about....WTF ever...You all should be ashamed of yourselves.  Even the players that don't get to play so much make more than I do and I work 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year, not including vacation and holidays.  They "work" about 6 months a year, once a week.  I know they work out the scrimmage the rest of the time, but really guys.  Get real. 

There are so many people who are still out of work, who would love to be able to provide food and clothes for their families.  While players, as long as they plan and don't screw up too badly, can live where they want, eat what they want, and wear designer clothes.  So can their families.  *SIGH*  I don't know what is wrong this time around, but it can't be that bad.  Get over yourselves peoples...IT'S JUST A GAME!!!

In Respectful Memory....Elizabeth Edwards...

I didn't know her personally, but it seemed like it with all the exposure she got from her husband's campainging and other stuff.  After all the woman went through, she still had a smile on her face and peace and love in her heart.  Any woman would be a better person if she followed Elizabeth's example in life.  Rest in peace Elizabeth, you will be missed. 

Well, it's finally December....the end of the year...

I wonder what else it will be the end of.  War, piss-poor economy, poverty, illiteracy, hate...the list goes on and on.  Who will make the first move, forgive the first slight?  Please God, let it be me.  It has to start somewhere, why not me.

Time flies when you are having fun...DIK Reading Challenge

The Wolf and the Dove
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Avon Books
March 1974
Historical Romance

There are many Romances books out there set in the Regency and Victorian periods.  A few set at other times in British history.  There are even fewer set as The Wolf and the Dove is, at the time of William the conqueror.  Set in England in 1066, the description of the land, clothes, battles and the lifestyles makes this a very history rich story.

The tale of two people at odds with each other, one a Norman conqueror, the other a Saxon's daughter, who becomes the conquerors slave when her father is killed by the Normans.  Yes, at that time in British history they had slave, serfs, and vassals, all property of their Lord.

There are times when, at least to me, the story bogs down in historical description.  I know that these descriptions and explanations are necessary to set the stage, but there were a few places int he book that the history was overplayed,  I skimmed a bit.

the main characters, the Norman Wulfgar and the Saxon's daughter, Aislinn, are well developed and easy to like and understand.  There are other characters that a reader will love to have.  As the story develops Wulfgar and Aislinn are drawn to each other.  At first lust rules, but as they get to know each other, they learn to trust, finally learning to love.  It's the getting to that part that makes this story so much fun.  Of course, adding evil villain's in the mix the tension, suspense and the fun of fussin' and cussin' them at their villainy is woven expertly throughout the book.

Even though I enjoyed the book, I though it was a tad mired in accurate historical rhetoric.  I give The Wolf and the Dove 4 out of 5 WOOTS. I do recommend this book and other by Woodiwiss, she is a great read.

OK, OK I'm late! Better than never...DIK review ahead!!!!!

Gobsmacked
L.B. Gregg
e-book
Aspen Mountain Press
2009

Oh Lord, where to begin!  This story is written in first person which is not my favorite POV.  There are few writers I can say do this POV well, Kelley Armstrong, Lori Handeland and now I find L.B. Gregg.

I found myself identifying with the characters from the get go.  Even though this is an M/M romance, love and its hurts are universal.  Man, woman or child, when they are betrayed by someone they care about, it huts so deeply.  Each individual will react differently.  Some will suffer in silence, while others go for public theatrics.

That is where we find one the the main characters, Mark.  Working himself up to an emotional rage to let his cheating boyfriend, Jamie, know just how much his betrayal hurt.  He gobsmack's him upside the head with a Bible during a church service.  This book is full of twists, turns, and many a laugh the reader can associate with.

I don't like spoilers, so when reviewing a story I try to impart enough to catch my reader' eye with the intent to get them to read the story without giving too much away.  It's really hard with this story.  It's so good I just want to blab it all.  The characters are so believable that I felt like I knew them or at least someone like them.  The situation in which they found themselves were close to ones I have found myself in or wish I'd had the courage or anger enough to pull off.  And all is done with a sense of humor that had me laughing out loud.TY

I recommend this book with 5+ WOOTS!!! Well written believable characters and story line.  it's a re-read keeper, maybe being Gobsmacked isnt' so bad after all!

OMG! I'm having a WTF Day!!!!

The alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. and I didn't hear it. I jumped out of bed at 5:39 a.m., OK I got up slowly, but at least I got out of bed.  Fed the cats, took a shower, gave the cats fresh water, got dressed, got my shoes on and out the door by 6:05 a.m. caught the bus at 6:30 a.m.   Damn I'm tired!  That was one WTF moment.

I called to see if I could be billed for my co-pay on a upcoming Doctors appt.  Sure, for a $20 billing fee.  All I wanted was an extra week till my next pay day to pay the co-pay.  I've put this visit off for close to a month and a half as it is. I cancelled by appointment.  I don't have a car and it takes me 2 hours to get to the Doctors office as it is.  So when I have an appointment, it takes most of the day. I end up taking a day off from work.  Monday is a holiday, that's why I set the appointment that day.  I like my Doctor, so I was willing to take the time to get to her.  But I'm not paying $20 just to put off paying a fee for a week not even for a month.  What ever happened to the Hippocratic Oath, I know it says in there some where...First, do no harm.  This fee is causing harm, and I can't believe I'm the only one who has ever asked for a little time to pay.  Especially in this economic pain in the rump!  Another WTF moment, don't know if I can handle another one after this.

I know the Group she belongs with has to make enough to pay the Dr.'s, nurses, tech etc.  But like too many business's they have put money before people.  I know there will be those who read this that will not be Christians, you are welcome, but Christianity is the standard by which I live.  One of the Ten Commandments states that we are not to have other god's before God.  To me when you put money before God...you've made money your god.

Now I have to try to find a Doctor closer to home and pray like crazy I like them.  Wish me luck.

Free Speech is our right, but...

There is a "Church" out there that believes that God is punishing our soldiers because of gays and abortions.  I may not have that exactly right, but these are the 'people' that protest outside of the funerals of our fallen soldiers.  They carry posters that say things like..."God Hates America", "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"...I don't understand how a group of human beings, much less Christians, much less Americans can think like that.  No where in the Bible, that I know of anyway, tells us to hate our neighbors.  I've always been told that it is 'love thy neighbor as thy self.'  If this is love, those protesters must really hate themselves.  Maybe they need mental and emotional therapy!  Big Time!

I know they feel that this is a first amendment issue.  And it is to a point, but I do want to point out, that the solider that was being buried, died to insure they had that right.  I believe in free speech, but it must be tempered with respect. Just like my right to swing my fist ends at someones face.  Phelps and his people have their rights, well the family of fallen military personal, have rights to. One can't top the other, there has to be a compromise.  Allow people to bury their dead with divinity, protest else where.  Like the Pentagon.

I don't see how this group can call themselves a 'church' , Jesus built all his churches on love and acceptance.  Besides who died and made these questionable Christians our conscience or moral guides. WWJD...What Would Jesus Do??? I know he would not throw the first stone. I have Faith that he would love all of us as we are. The Bible tells us God forgives all is we would just ask him to.  Who are we to do any less?