A Bouquet of Balloons

I sat down to write this blog, and I couldn't decide on a single idea. The possibilities were like a balloon bouquet. Lots of colorful choices, but none with enough substance to carry a full post.

So I decided to do a Tiki Top Ten. Pay no attention to the numbers. They only represent the order I decided to include the thought in this post - not any order of importance. There is no theme, just sharing some of the things going on in my head.

I haven't done a top ten type post in a long time. I hope I remember how 🎈

1. The Trilogy
I'm finally DONE with self-editing. Yes, I'm shouting! Now I'm reading it aloud. Fast. I always catch stuff here that I miss in other ways - awkward dialogue and missing words for the most part, but assorted other glitches, too.

The dogs love when I do this. They gather around and chill.

As soon as I input these changes, off it goes to the real editor.

2. February
Valentine's, President's Day, Mardi Gras, and when I'm ready for spring.

I've lived all over - warm climates, cold climates, moderate climates. My built-in Spring Alarm sounds sometime between February 1 and President's Day. When it does, I'm automatically ready for winter to be over.

That's when I'm ready to go to the nursery and buy a flat of flowers to plant. I'm not a gardener by any means, but at this point, I really need to feel my fingers in the dirt.

I don't know why that is. Something related to genes from generations past, I'm guessing.

3. What's for Dinner?
I love to cook. I like to experiment with recipes and layer flavors. However, making dinner night after night is a different animal. I'm desperately in search of quick and easy recipes. This trilogy has brought the matter to the forefront. Let me explain.

It's 6 p.m. Maybe I remembered to take something out of the freezer to thaw. Often, I haven't. People are getting hungry. Many nights I've thawed ground beef or turkey in the skillet. We're tired of chili mac and sloppy joes.

Specifically, I'd love some recipes or suggestions for meals that are quick to prepare and/or easy to clean up. Either of those is good. Both would be fantastic!

I'm not looking for something that has 10 ingredients I have to measure or 10 veggies I have to chop.

Anything you can suggest or link to, especially skillet meals or crockpot concoctions would be great.

4. It's been too long since I've been to the beach.
Period. That is all.

5. I'm a Mutt
I took the test on Facebook called "What Kind of Dog Are You?"

Y'all know I have a wide range of interests. It's impossible for me to have a favorite anything. LOL...laughing at myself as I type - this menagerie of a post is a perfect example. One favorite is way too limiting.

The exception to this is, of course, Live-In Handyman. But there are many things to love about him, so maybe that's why 💘

Anyway, the test said the good thing about being a Mutt is that they are healthier and more adaptable than purebreds.

So there 😁

6. Gracie Brain
I have Gracie Brain. It's caused by close and continuous contact with Gracie Hofner, the protagonist in the trilogy. This chickie and I have shared everything over the past couple of years.

Gracie Brain is the main reason I'm in search of quick and easy dinner recipes - see #3 above.

Gracie Brain causes me not to be able to think of anything other than Gracie World without conscious effort. It's most likely the reason for this Top Ten. Only the thoughts that were strongest bubbled out.

7. Texas
As much as I love Texas and as much as I know about Texas and Texans, what I actually KNOW is a drop in the old rusty bucket. I ended up doing a lot of research about my beautiful Lone Star State. Some items applied to only one book, while others ran through the entire trilogy.

I especially learned a lot more about San Antonio and San Antonians, as it is the setting for all three books.

8. Silly Stuff
I do silly stuff. All. The. Time. If you know someone who knows me IRL, ask them. They know. Just today...I was in the produce section of the grocery store. Ahead, I saw some beautiful radishes. In my head, I'm thinking Those are the biggest damn radishes I've ever seen. I got closer. They were beets. I like radishes, but not beets. Sigh.

9. Curiosity Killed the Cat
Thank God I'm not a cat. Or on the flip side of that, maybe that's why they have nine lives. I think I must be one of the most curious creatures on the planet. About everything. My poor mother. I probably made her crazy. Are you curious, too?

10. Super Bowl
Pick one. Or more. I'm easy. And a mutt☺
Patriots
Falcons
Lady Gaga
Commercials
I read a book.
I watched a movie.
All of the Above
None of the Above

I'll be back here on Monday, March 6.

Happy February!