September 2021 – The Writer's Grab-Bag

21 Reasons . . . for Anything

You’ve got JJ today. The theme continues with 21 reasons . . . but, given I don’t mind posting (long as I have some sort of idea what to write about) . . . I opted for 21 reasons for doing anything someone might request of us—long as it’s decent, legal, and something within our capacity/capability of doing (and, if it’s not, we find or suggest an option).

It’s something that:

1. is kind to do
2. we do from the heart
3. makes us happy
4. makes us a better person
5. we don’t intentionally seek gratitude for
6. results in the requesting person smile
7. lessens the requesting person’s load (and that’s a great thing)
8. is supportive / helpful / enlightening
9. provides purpose
10. offers a sense of satisfaction
11. isn’t a big deal, so we do it with a smile
12. makes us feel good / accomplished
13. we learn from
14. could inspire others
15. enhances our self-confidence or self-respect
16. may help us meet new people / make new friends
17. prompts us to do/give your best
18. may alleviate our own sense of apprehension / stress / sadness by focusing on the task (in other words, it distracts)
19. sets a good example / inspires others (to be equally giving)
20. may result in us getting assistance when we require it
21. good = good (there’s that cosmos / kismet belief that if you do good, you receive good).

So, there you have it—my contribution to 21 reasons. Nothing mind-blowing or earth-shattering. Just some food for thought.

I’m curious as to what Cousin Reynalda will come up with for Saturday’s post. Linda and I saw her frantically jotting notes this morning as she gulped back a mega-sized mug of coffee (her fourth). Linda’s thinking “scary”, I’m thinking “melodramatic” (he-he).

21 More Reasons for Not Posting? But I Like to Post!

It’s Linda today. The Boss recently provided 21 reasons [excuses, grumbles] about not posting, not having the motivation or focus. So, the Triple Threat Investigation Agency ensemble—Rey, JJ, and I—decided we’d take turns with the same theme.

The thing is, I don’t mind posting, but then I do blog regularly. Usually, I can think of some matter to write about. Today, the theme’s slightly different; here are things 21 things I like doing personally and professionally (in no specific order). This, of course, garnered me a roll of the eyes, a “like really, Lindy-Loo?”, and one of those water-buffalo snorts from Rey. She’s okay with it now, though, since I reminded her she’d be submitting a list next week and we’d see how well she’ll do.

1. blogging (doing wine and food reviews in particular)
2. surfing (a fairly recent new love)
3. walking and playing with Piggaletto
4. volunteering at the homeless shelter
5. jogging / running / trekking
6. being a P.I. (except when having a gun jammed in my face)
7. friends and, in particular, my BFF Rey
8. niggling my BFF Rey (he-he)
9. lounging in the yard by our not-yet-up-and-running pool and reading a good book
10. boating / sailing
11. trying new dishes (getting to really enjoy cooking)
12. learning new things
13. outings and luaus
14. having me time / being alone
15. meditating / reflecting
16. discovering new local music / artists
17. singing in the shower
18. enjoying that first steaming, fragrant cup of coffee in the morning (so-o goo-ood)
19. embracing good health
20. having a nothing-to-complain about life
21. taking on challenges.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Postponing Posts . . . or . . . 21 Excuses for Not Posting

This year, I’ve posted a few times about how to find motivation or stay on schedule re blogging and writing. There are numerous ways of doing this, and we only need Google to find them. Whether they work, well, that’s entirely on us.

I’ve probably shared once too often (ad nauseum, yawn) how my 10-12-hour-a-day job and mom-care responsibilities are limiting, not only re time but “focus”. Finding something to write about can prove a struggle. Majorly.

So, as I once again tossed and turned last night and ideas flowed through my scrambled, er, scrambling gray matter, I thought about providing [my] reasons for not [wanting to] post. And, goll-lly (as Gomer Pyle might have once said with that goofy but endearing smile), I thought of something. Why not list those reasons?

Why not indeed?

I [bloody well] don’t feel like it.

I can’t think of anything!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need a brain-cation.

Does anyone need more editing advice?

Does anyone need more motivational suggestions?

I’m having a pity party or three, and blowing out the candles is exhausting.

I’d rather nap.

A long walk, followed by a cup of tea or glass of wine, would be rather pleasant.

The cupboards are in desperate need of cleaning.

Darn, those ten pairs of socks could use some serious darning.

The cardinals living adjacent to the building need feeding.

No one will notice if a post isn’t delivered on the promised day[s].

Coffee’s calling . . . repeatedly.

Maybe Mom wants to go get another manicure.

Those French fries stuck to the bottom of the oven should [finally] be removed.

Baseboard-cleaning might not be a bad idea.

Watching a couple of [free] motivational vids sounds like a worthwhile endeavor.

I hear the vacuum-cleaner calling.

I haven’t read The Odyssey yet; maybe it’s time to blow off the dust and open it.

I haven’t had a long hot, bubbly bath in years; maybe it’s time to indulge.

This seems like a good time to take up jogging.

For the next post, perhaps I’ll think of 21 more. Or maybe I’ll have one of the Triple Threat Investigation Ageny P.I.s list hers. <LOL>

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Axed by ACX

Next Chapter (https://www.nextchapter.pub) informed its authors that ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) has closed NC’s account—with no warning.

Moments later, ACX advised the publisher that there’d been a copyright infringement of one of their titles, yet provided no proof of said infringement. Moreover, outstanding royalties won’t be paid; as Next Chapter authors, we’re now cut off from our books while ACX continues to make money from us.

ACX, for those not in the know, is a publishing platform, that allows professionals to connect and create audiobooks; there are thousands of titles in a sundry of genres (https://www.audible.com/ep/ACX).

NC will be investigating legal options. Hopefully, all will work out in everyone’s favor.

Five, Four, Three, Two, One

A quick countdown to the last day . . .

Coco’s Nuts, the third mystery in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series, is available for 99 cents today, the last day of the promo.

It’s Linda today (or Lindy-Loo, as Rey likes to call me too often).

As still newbie P.I.s, we become entrenched in our second paying assignment: proving socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer did not shoot her boss, infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo. If that’s not bad enough, a few days later her best friend, Eb, is found dead in a nearby alley. Oh, it gets worse: not long after that, Razor, Picolo’s assistant, receives five fatal bullets in his bulky frame. Unfortunately, all the evidence points at our pretty client.

In the search for answers, JJ, Rey and I deal with a sundry of suspects. Many persons hated Picolo enough to kill him—no news there—but determining who pulled the trigger proves quite challenging. And, apparently, the killer hates Buddy as well, because she’s been set up to take the fall.

Our detecting leads us down a few detours, like the world of high-stakes gambling and the not-so-friendly limb-breakers that reside within it. Picolo’s daughter, Annia, owes thousands of dollars to debt collectors in Vegas and on Oahu. Was this motivation to kill her father, so that she could collect from the will? Or did Picolo’s son, Jimmy Junior, want to take charge of his father’s multiple and highly successful businesses?

What about nutty Coco Peterson? A driver for Picolo, the weird little pest (as some might call him) has been MIA since his boss’ murder. Alas, while searching Picolo’s million-dollar Haleiwa retreat, the we discover “bits” of Coco—his tattoo and jewelry. It appears pesty Coco is another casualty, but locating the rest of him is as difficult as proving Buddy innocent.

If you’d like to find out how we do, please check us out at:

Day Two, Bargain for You

It’s the second day of the Forever Poi promo. Hi there. It’s Linda today.

I’m going to keep it short and sweet, and provide an excerpt which I hope piques your interest.

For 99 cents, you can get a copy of our third case as private eyes from the Triple Threat Investigation Agency. Someone torched two art galleries and left two bodies in the ashes. It proves complex with many twists and turns, and suspects . . . and bodies. Just when we’re sure we have it figured out, something unexpected happens!

“Why do you suppose he’s not returned calls?” Rey asked as we followed the Jag along Kapiolani, five cars behind. “Guilt? Sadness? A combination of?”

“Only he can answer that.”

“Who’s the woman looking very Audrey Hepburn?”

“The same one I’ve seen twice already.”

“But who is she?”

“Your guess is—”

“As good as mine, yeah.”

“Xavier mentioned a half sister. Maybe that’s her.”

“From what little I’ve seen, there’s absolutely no resemblance. James-Henri has a dumpling nose and a donut-round face.”

“And he has hazel eyes while hers are powder-blue,” I added. “I did say ‘maybe’.”

“She’s certainly very attractive. And that designer red lipstick is awesome.”

The sporty car pulled into one of three empty spaces before a row of unexceptional townhouse-condos near Ward and Prospect. Most had once been dusty pink and were now just plain dusty. I maneuvered into a parking spot on the street.

Rey scanned stores and checked her cell. “That’s Carlos’ place.”

“Really?” I looked at her, surprised. “How do you know?”

“Gail emailed just before you picked me up. She told me she’d be researching the two as soon as she got home, but had done some preliminary stuff and came across this address. Given his background and everything, she found it weird.” She appeared perturbed. “Not what you’d expect a successful gallery owner-slash-consultant to live in, is it?”

“He did have financial issues according to Ald.”

She gestured the duo. “They don’t appear to want to do much but yak and watch.”

“Maybe they know we’re back here.”

“Then why stop?”

“You got me,” I replied with a fleeting smile, keeping a vigilant eye on the two lest they shot off again.

“He must have a key.”

I concurred.

“It’s odd that Carlos lived here and James-Henri there. I mean, they were lovers, at least until recently. I can’t imagine one allowing the other to live in such a . . . a blah place.”

“Blah?” I grinned.

“Ugly. Cheap. It’s not in keeping with the lifestyle or persona he was projecting.”

“You mean successful gallery owner?” I asked dryly, noting that neither sportscar occupant appeared anxious or concerned.

Rey grunted into her cell when taiko drumming announced a call. “We got James-Henri and an Audrey Hepburn wannabe in sight. What’s up? You at the office?” She glanced at me and shrugged. After a few uh-huhs, she disconnected. “Lindy-Loo wants us to head home when we’re able.”

“Is she all right?”

“She’s something, that’s for sure,” my cousin replied flatly and gestured. “Our prey aren’t doing much.”

“Either are we,” I said regretfully.

“To hell with that.” With Reynalda Fonne-Werde melodramatic (reckless) flair, my cousin sprang from the Jeep and strode purposefully to the Jag.

If you’d like to learn how we [eventually] wrap up the case, please check us out at:

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