Great post, Barbara! We had a beautiful Golden Retriever named Nicky who loved to swim and could be 'bad' on occasion. While we were at the cottage one summer, he took off for the woods and hubby went to find him. Calling Nicky's name, the only response he got was a large black dog that bounded up to him, giving hubby a bit of a scare. Until he realized that the black dog was Nicky, who'd just gone for a swim in a muddy, black swamp, LOL!

Great post. I agree about LOTR, I loved the books, but I loved the movie more. His vision matched the one in my head. I also preferred the To Kill A Mockingbird movie rather than the book. Gregory Peck was mesmerizing, along with Mary Badham. My only comment about another Three Musketeers movie is: Not again? Do we need another remake? Are there any original scripts out there?

Great post! I have a mug very similar to the one pictured that I bought in Nova Scotia. Tea tastes much better in a china cup or mug. I find it stays hotter. I also love to use my Fireking mugs. Very old, and now collectibles. Nancy Lauzon http://chickdickmysteries.com

I hate grocery shopping too. I think I've just done it so many times, I've had enough. I only go when I'm desperate. And no more giant orders. I try to go every few days for three or four items, in and out quickly is better than a marathon. Nancy The Chick Dick Blog http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com

I know, seriously, there are no more Nancys. It's such a 50's/60's name, along with Susan, Donna, Barbara and Jean. In keeping with that, tools were never a part of my life. They were strange objects in my father's garage. Now they're strange objects in my husband's garage.

Hi Sarah - Having your kids driving is definitely a time of high stress. Hang in there, you get used to it. My mother taught me how to drive in the back streets of our Montreal suburb, in an orange Toyota Corolla, using a standard transmission. What were we thinking? We survived, and I did learn, but I remember a lot of stalling and shuddering going on. Nancy http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com/ The Chick Dick Blog

Harley, you're a riot. I say one look at Brezhnev's unibrow is enough to kill anything, even a dishwasher. Nancy http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com The Chick Dick Blog

Hi Nancy, You're too funny. There have already been great suggestions. I love sedum (get the Autumn Joy variety if you can) they are so easy to grow, look rubbery most of the summer and then bloom with flat topped, dark red flowers late summer and fall. For the back deck that gets full sun, portulaca (sp?) do pretty well - I think they are succulents with flowers, and don't need a ton of water. You could always try a selection of cactus. Our community is suffering a water ban all summer because our water main burst and is being repaired. I planted cactus and succulents in pots on the deck, and as luck would have it, we are getting tons of rain, so they'll probably die. Oh well, I tried. For an evergreen, I like Mugo Pines. Consider sneaking in your neighbour's garden to see what is growing there, then copy them. No shame in that, and imitation is a form of flattery. Best of luck! Nancy www.nancylauzon.com The Chick Dick Blog http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com/

Kathy, I totally get the television friends thing. For me, I'm hooked on reality shows. If anyone had told me I would be, I'd say they were nuts. But I was over the moon when Bachelor Brad proposed to Emily. And I can't miss any episodes of Top Model or Project Runway without feeling bereft. Survivor I can take or leave, depending on who's playing. Glad I'm not the only one, LOL!

Great post, Elaine and congrats on your latest novel. Wow. The physiques on these women are not lean and stripped down. They're bulked up and humming with testosterone. Scary. http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com/

Our family had a cottage called "Rose Cottage", named after the house in "The Jewel in the Crown". It was really only a cabin, not a house, and so named because of the many rose buses in the back. http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com/

Hi Avery, Thanks for a beautiful blog! So many of us writers have that inner critic that is so hard to silence. I've finally learned to ignore it, but it's not always easy. My mother was a great person, but once when I was a little girl, she told me I was a "jack of all trades, master of none." It was totally a joke, but it stuck with me. The negative stuff is easier to believe.

Sounds like a fabulous time! Getting to a Malice is on my bucket list. Hope to get there some day!

Hi Jill, I don't think I'd get along with 20-something Me. She was rather a doormat, running around trying to please everyone and worrying what everyone thought about her. At 54 I've finally gotten my head on straight. I've learned to say 'No', I don't care what other people think (except my closest friends and family of course) and I try to be honest without hurting anyone's feelings. The only thing the 20-something Me had going for her was her body. Now, if I could plant my 54 year old head on her body, I'd be all set. P.S. So enjoyed the wedding. You guys certainly know how to throw a party :)

Elaine, congrats on your new release. Your book sounds like something I'd love to read, I'll definitely buy it. Best wishes and hope you sell tons! Fingers crossed that Kevin Kline gives you a plug!