Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.SHE WROTE: Authors Are God-Like Beings
We were evidently both typing without our glasses, discussing the names for our Sanctuary characters. My girl is Susan, in homage to Susan Sto-Helit because I adore that character. I have no idea what her last name is yet. I was going with "Bean," but I don't think it's going to work. It doesn't matter. It'll come to me.
Bob was thinking about "Spartacus" for his guy and then sanity prevailed. But the whole hero thing was good, and I mentioned Finn, the Celtic hero, and we both liked it, so Finn it was. Except I thought it was his first name and Bob thought it was his last name, so then we had to come up with a first name. And I was zapping him dozens of suggestions, and he was getting snarky so I sent him:
Dorsal.
Dorsal Finn.
Get it? Knee slapper, right?
He loved it. Seriously. He said the guy's parents were science fiction readers.
I said, "Are you out of your mind? You can't call him Dorsal Finn."
He said, "Why not. Dorsai Finn. It's classy."
It took awhile and some squinting at the monitors before we realized we were looking at two different words. But either way, it's out. I think he's come up with something else since then, but for awhile, the discussion grew heated.
Dorsal Finn. And his brothers, Pectoral, Pelvic, and little Anal. Who was always the butt of the family jokes.
Honest to God, we really have these e-mail conversations. And people ask us where we get our ideas. Divine inspiration, that's where. Yessiree.
136 Comments:
Virgin blog!!!
No snark about anal fins...
Oh Good grief. You do realize all the ridiculous names of people I know that are running through my mind right now, don't you? Like what were these people thinking when they named their children? Of course if I typed them here, I'd probably get in trouble. Although I think it would be considred on topic since the discussion was about names...and the butt of jokes...
People should not name their daughters Holly. It inspires silliness, especially if the last name is either Wood or Green (both of which are real names of girls I went to school with).
Of course Bob can always include a stripper...Crystal Ball (also another real name).
jvggvln - uhhh, how Bob actually spells his name.
Oh what Bob could do with a Finn Mac Cool.
My dad's name is Harry Wall. Honest to God. He goes by Gus. Wonder why...
What's the old thing....
Sticks and stones will hurt my bones,
But words will never harm me.
Names can certainly invoke images.
zdirqmpt...green
Is that a name?
When naming children you should be aware of what their initials will be. I know someone who named her son Patrick Michael. Good name. Strong name. But the last name started with an S. So the poor kids initials are PMS.
At least he didn't name Mr. Finn "Huckleberry."
although Dorsal may have worked had the mermaid theme stayed.
ok, i loved the idea of Dorsal Finn, that's why he goes by Finn, then you can have on of those "what's the D stand for?" moments. i love name moments in books.
favorite names:
Chan De Ler (chandelier)
Hetoldme (middle name)
for a guy friend, initials were STD
for a girl friend, initials were BMW
Thomas Jefferson McDonald. i don't think i can truly explain how hard i was laughing when i first heard this. it was just...so symbolic of America
What's My Name - Well, Louis probably remembers the TV program (before color was invented). People with interesting names had their names guessed by the panelists. Some father, a Mr. Hogg from Texas, was some bigwig. I don't remember if it was politics, business, or what. But well known. Wife bore him a daughter, who appeared on What's My Name. Everlovin' daddy had named her Ima. AND I'M NOT KIDDING! Ima actually became famous, too, but not for doing a Lizzy Borden on daddy like you might imagine.
Ya know, Rene could make a guest appearance in Santuary. Then have an affair with Ficelle.
joyjmjl:JOY, Joy, Mighty Joy, Love (sang the Hippies)
Gaterperson wrote: "Ya know, Rene could make a guest appearance in Santuary. Then have an affair with Ficelle"
Oh my god! Stop. Please just stop. I'm dying over here. That is just not a good name for anyone!
Oh man, I needed this little shot of humor. Dorsal Finn, I love it.
Love Finn, strong, slightly trendy, not overused. Glad Dorsal sank. DH's family is old blue blood, and prone to narcissism, Wilma Williams named her son William, and he did the same. On the 2 that I got to name I really considered their intials. I have a WEL and an APL. DH named WJL, love 'im anyway.
*OFF TOPIC*
Bryan - GoooOOOO ARMY! I have a really good feeling about this year. My mom brought me a Shrek donkey, probably for my political sway and my neo-facist (whom I adore) dad comandeered him as the Army donkey. (folks divorced, and still stand eachother's presence, while both staying with me. I'm a lucky girl) So no political conversations with pops, always a good sign. And with my newly minted not-Shrek, now Army donkey, we've got some good vibes workin'! GoooOOO Army!
Bob and Jenny doing shark snark.
Priceless.
I like Finn as a first name. If he were part Japanese he could be Finn Ito.
bw
BCB - Leave the sharks out of it. Finn Ito? Good grief. Oh, and FTR - I am not a twit. Nope. Not. Off to hockey.
Jenny and the cherrybombs are doing shark snark. Bob is in an entirely different universe.
The name is Dorsai, his grandfather is Donal, his great-great uncles are Ian and Kensie.
Didn't anyone else read SF way back when.
Anon: Yeah, we know he is, even without having read SF "way back when." We're used to it.
When I first read this:
It took awhile and some squinting at the monitors before we realized we were looking at two different words.
I thought Jenny wrote "worlds" -- made sense to me, considering she was talking about Bob.
bw
*SNORT*!
Oh please please tell me Bob isn't going to name him Mickey. I'll never finish the book. Every time his name appears I'll be ROTFLMAO.
Maybe, like J.T. he'll just use an initial. L. Finn.
Okay, I'm over it. I actually kinda like Finn. First or Last. But you know we have to have more fun with this first.
MCB, that was so bad it was good.
Of course it can't be a first name. There's already a Phin in WTT.
Dorsal Finn. Love it. Then there's his cousin, Lateral, and an uncle, Tail.
Then there's his sister, Doll.
Ok, I'll stop now.
MCB: Mickey Finn. *snort!* You're the best.
G-G: nonono -- it was the L. Finn that was the best.
Although Doll [snort] was a real close second.
Ok, I can't resist.
Then there is the black sheep brother: F. Finn
GG added: Then there's his sister, Doll.
Oh that good!
She also pointed out: There's already a Phin in WTT.
Oh. Too Phin-ish?
I thought of Phin too, but not my book :)
My dog's called Finn. Well really she's called some ridiculous long pedigree name, but we call her Finn :) I like it.
(-: Thanks for the laugh! Little, Anal, huh? You *could* re-name him Aral, and have all the over-40s reaching for their reading glasses!
And so what is the name of the novel? Finn's Awakening?
How about naming your character Dee Finn, and Bob's can be Robert Sto Helit?
Gosh darnit, you make me want a collaborator of my very own (-:!
LMBO...Okay, this one was fun. LOL!
I knew someone in high school whose initials were ASS. Yeah, great.
I've known people with some really messed up names in my lifetime. :)
ROTFLMAO! ok, L.Finn and Doll Finn were up there, but F.Finn is my favorite. the black sheep.
still cracking up here.
Why is it I hear the that music from Jaws all of a sudden?
F.Finn! That was a good one.
I think you are all crazy but I love it. ROFLMAO. I can't match any of those.
P Phrase
Pershaps its true that I deserve my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends. Walt Whitman
green arglcdv
All really great liars create diversions visually.
Gawd! All this talk of Finn's makes me want fish and chips....
wzmil - wots zat? mayer is looney?
ok, i'm bouncing up and down, because i just got a call from my dad telling me he, my mom, and godfather (and i'm guessing my brother) are picking me up from the airport on wednesday...and taking me to a Rolling Stones concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
excuse me. i have to glow as i work on my essay. have a wonderful, wonderful night.
*bounce*
BTW, SDCB, liked your p phrase a lot.
*bounce bounce*
OH- What a great surprise! Have a great time.
I am dying laughing at the computer and the DH is harumphing and wanting me to get in the car and ready to go to the airport. Yes, we are crazy enough to fly over Thanksgiving.
Oh BTW, I went to school with a Chyme Klock. Really.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
(Now people are going to look at me funny as I burst out laughing on the plane as I decide which person is F Finn.) :-)
Wapakwoman wrote: Yes, we are crazy enough to fly over Thanksgiving.
Those wild women from Ohio. Please do be careful -- I've heard some fly overs will earn you an escort from a couple F-15s.
And F.Finn is the one who moved to the Bronx and drives a cab, working undercover as a narc. He turned renegade and his superiors want to fire him, or bring him up on charges, but no one can find him.
With family members like these, it's no wonder Bob's Finn ended up as a chaste assassin monk who hangs out with mermaids and vampires and doesn't know how to wash out a coffee pot.
Given the proper motivation and backstory, everything in fiction makes sense.
Either that or the cold meds I'm taking are stronger than I thought.
I sincerely hope hot chocolate comes off keyboards and monitors because that's where mine just ended up. At work even.
I think I pulled something trying not to laugh out loud.
Oh My Bob. F. Finn.
Sad to say, Phin Finn did cross my mind. As did Mighty Finn, Quinn Finn and Bruce. Did I mention Finn Ish? You know, the muse of all writers facing a deadline.
That should teach me for staying away for a few days.
Hi Scope! I like you're phrase too.
OH: What a cool cool surprise. Have a blast!
BCB lectured us ... With family members like these, it's no wonder Bob's Finn ended up as a chaste assassin monk who hangs out with mermaids and vampires and doesn't know how to wash out a coffee pot.
Its not just the family you know. He gets tired of explaining to people that he's not Irish, he's Dutch. His first name is Finn, but his last name is ... derKeeper.
I love F Finn and his mysterious black sheep ways. His sister Elle Finn, so petite, waifish, with far too innocent eyes, can't protect him forever. Especially with Finn Ito back, he's looking for F.
OH- you lucky duck! My first Stones concert was in the summer of '83, were you still a twinkle in the sky then? I had to mastermind an elaborate plan to get there without the 'rents knowning. Found out later they did know and were "disappointed" I wouldn't trust them to be "cool". Ah the teenage angst. Obviously your folks, way cooler!
Does anyone else think Scope has some of the best verification sentences? and, I do love the P phrase!
I don't believe it. I'm the Cherry Bomb who actually works for a dolphin facility and everybody beat me to the fin pun jokes! LOLOL
You forgot about Dorsal's mother's brother -- Peduncle Finn.
What a fluke. It's fintastic!
The tail is actually called the caudal fin, and many fishes have yet another small fin behind the dorsal, known as the adipose fin. The possibilities are endless.
OH: enjoy the Stones. I first saw them perform in 1962, or possibly 1961; can't quite remember. Slightly different line-up then, of course - Mick, Keith, Bill, Charlie and Brian Jones. Makes one think, eh. Forty-five years ago. And they said rock'n'roll wouldn't last! HAH!
;-)
Mary Stella - the caudal peduncle is the root of the tail fin rather than the tail fin itself, isn't it. But I don't know about dolphins - not fishes, after all!
;-)
mcb: don't forget derKeeper's cousin, Los ErsWeepers.
...and when it comes to YEX, there is already the appropriate song:
"The Dutch in Old Amsterdam do it,
not to mention the Finns..."
(couldn't stop myself while I was lurking through)
CG!!!!!!!!
We Missed You!!!!!
cologne girl welcome back. We really really missed you. I did a lot.
Glad you all liked the P Phase Here is a D Phrase:
"Doesn't freedom exist as the right all people have to be as happy as they can?"
Here's another for your busy Thanksgiving driving:
Drive Carefully! If motorists would give more ground there'd be fewer in it."
Take heed and have a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating on Thursday.
trjjtd
Truly rigid juries judge tolerance detractors.
Too much F Finn fishy sharky stuff going on for me. I'm going to have nightmares. You know the one. I'm swimming, alone, at night. A bouy is blinking in the background and that stupid music won't go away and then there is the finn, that f finn FINN. Yeah. Thanks guys. I though summer was over?
OH - The Stones! Way cool. I saw them in like 1982? Their fairwell tour? I think that was the year. Not sure. Those 4 years of high school are kind of blurry. I'm pretty sure I had a good time. Better than the Rush Concert I spent in the First Aide room.
I usually lurk and get a good giggle, but you had me cracking up out loud with the names.
Thanks for the laugh.
:) d
PS Can't wait for The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes.
OMG, I'm so glad that, after literally months of nearly destroying my screen, I've learned to not bring coffee anywhere near this blog! Otherwise, it would have been really messy.
Dorsal and F Finn indeed!
Had more cookies arrive today. Thanks to all, my kids are really loving you guys.
Also, announded the November winners over on the book review blog. You won't be surprised at all to know that a few were from here. I wasn't. You guys are awesome. And thankfully, I had nothing to do with picking winners, so I have no guilt about sending out lovely prize packs to people I already adore.
deeceeonbooks.blogpsot.com
DD: Once you come down out of the lurkers' attic, you can never return. You are now a CherryBomb.
Scary, I know. But you can handle it.
Jen-T complained ... and that stupid music won't go away
You mean .... thrum thrum. thrum thrum. thrum thrum thrumthrumthrumthrum
qijss: Quickly, is Jen skipping school? (for the Stones concert)
Dee announced ...
Also, announded the November winners over on the book review blog. You won't be surprised at all to know that a few were from here.
You guys know that insurance commercial? The one with the woman in the car screaming .... I WON! I WON! I WON!
Andi said ... Especially with Finn Ito back, he's looking for F.
Ooooh. Sounds like trouble. And I know why. F used to hang out at the local pool hall a lot when he was younger. Ito was the new guy. He didn't know about F's reputation with a pool cue and F ended up taking him for everything he had. Older but now wiser, Ito is back to settle a score with F. "The Shark" Finn.
OH -
I NEED YOU TO E-MAIL ME TODAY.
Oh crap, it's not going to happen is it, you're at a Stones concert. That just sucks. Well, not for you, obviously. When you get the chance, send an e-mail or post a comment over on the review site. I need your address to send out a book to you.
ifyengw
i forget you English never get weary
Hey, I went to college with Chrysta Shanda Lear. Yes, of the Lear jet family. Proving once again that money can't buy good taste.
Keep on swimming with the fishes, or mammals.
MarciaBC
DEE - Check your email.
dahtzr: How Gret is related to Dee.
AgTigress said...
Mary Stella - the caudal peduncle is the root of the tail fin rather than the tail fin itself, isn't it. But I don't know about dolphins - not fishes, after all!
Ack. I wrote out an entire response and blogger ate it! Here comes the second attempt. Let me slip into my marine mammal person garb.
AG Tigress is correct. On a cetacean (whale, dolphin, porpoise), the caudal peduncle area, also known as the tail stalk, comes before the tail flukes. It isn't called a tail fin on dolphins. Each side, or lobe, of that end of the dolphin is a fluke, hence the plural of flukes.
BTW, the tail flukes are different on every cetacean. On the deep diving, larger whale species, the flukes are commonly used for identification by open water researchers. Dorsal fins are also all different and are more commonly used to identify individual dolphins.
Dolphins do not have fins in their anal or pelvic area. (except for that newly discovered one in Japan that had an extra set of fins on the ventral (bottom) side of its peduncle area.)
Fish have dorsal, ventral and tail fins and many species also have the anal and pelvic fins.
Fish move their tails from side to side. Marine mammals move their tails up and down. So, if you're in the ocean, see a dorsal fin approaching and the tail is moving side to side -- get out of the water. It's shark. (Unless you're swimming with our dolphins. Many of them do shark imitations.)
For anyone dying to learn more about dolphins, I'll do a shameless plug for our website www.dolphins.org. Click on Learning About Marine Mammals.
I'm going back to work, although answering questions for the public is actually part of my job. So, technically, bloghopping over today was work. Love it!
cboxo: Awww -- it's cherry bombs with hugs and kisses!
DOING THE HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY DANCE. I FINISHED MY NANOWRIMO CHALLENGE.
News Flash: As of 1:33p.m. today Scope Dope had NaNo's computer verify that she had written 50,142 words. Of course the twit hasn't finished writing the story so she will have to keep on truckin'.
I am looking forward to pitching my book in New Jersey in October, 2007 along with Christina, Dee, Robin S, Zaza, Bryan and anyone else who is doing this.
red txeqyal
To Xavier even quality yex advances love.
"And I was zapping him dozens of suggestions, and he was getting snarky so I sent him..."
Really? Dear little Bob was getting snarky? Surely you misunderstood (choke, cough, chuckle). Thanks for the giggle this afternoon.
Gotta admit, it was hard to explain my slightly inappropriate library laughter about "little Anal. Who was always the butt of the family jokes."
Happy turkey day all.
Mary Stella shared with us ... So, if you're in the ocean, see a dorsal fin approaching and the tail is moving side to side -- get out of the water. It's shark.
First, thank you for the information, all of which is fascinating. I did not know about the difference in the way the tail moves. But I have to say this ... if you are close enough to see which way they wag their tail, isn't it already too late?
CherryBombs. We just know pretty much everything.
Congratulations, Scope Dope!
Theresa
Scope Dope said:
I am looking forward to pitching my book in New Jersey in October, 2007 along with Christina, Dee, Robin S, Zaza, Bryan and anyone else who is doing this.
OR -- you can come to Miami in February, 2007, and pitch at the Florida Romance Writers conference. (www.frwriters.org) I am full of shameless, but informational, plugs today.
mcb said:
First, thank you for the information, all of which is fascinating. I did not know about the difference in the way the tail moves. But I have to say this ... if you are close enough to see which way they wag their tail, isn't it already too late?
Geez, picky, picky. *g* Actually, it depends. Because of the way that the different animals move their bodies, you can tell the difference from a distance. The tail movement comment was more facetious on my part, however, if a shark is swimming at the surface so you can see its dorsal fin, it will be more likely to swim straight across. A dolphin, unless it's chasing a fish at the surface, swims up to the surface to breath which is when you'll see the dorsal pop up, and then dives down below the surface, so you get a different, arcing motion.
I've seen both shark and dolphin movement from a distance and you really can tell the difference. The real shark-avoidance hint I can give is to not go swimming at dusk/sunset. This is prime shark feeding time.
igrcqhkl: Icthyologists generally research caudal queries, hoping knowledge lives.
Just a note of thanks for all of you and the many hours of great pleasure you have given me over the past year.
A year ago today my mother-in-law died and it was a great loss for our family. But she would have loved this blog! At 81 she had a great love of life and those around her.
Her sense of humor was strong even in the last days in the hospital.
She kept the nurses and doctors entertained and they did enjoy her.
Just trust you all have a safe wonderful Thanksgiving.
jenb
JenB (((HUGS)))
Scope ... Congrats!
argh! my post just lost it all, so from what i remember (not writing all that stuff again)
andi: my dad went to almost every tour during that era; he's very glad they're still around to play for me (just for me)
mary stella: fascinating stuff. so when i need help in my oceans class i go to you, right? :)
scope dope: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
CG!!! we missed you
dana diamond (BTW great name): welcome out of the woodwork.
mcb: congratulations. think i broke my roomie's eardrum. whoops.
dee: emailing you next (RS concert isn't till wed night)
jen b (((HUGS)))
ok, think that was everyone. oh, and the verification i had was rjbjbl; blogger is very J&B focused
Way to go, Scope Dope!!!
Looking forward to purchasing your book.
okugro...red
OK, U gro.....smaller, larger, whatever
DEE: can't find your email address and rather not post my address on the blog. if you don't want to post your email you can send me something at orangehands@gmail.com and i'll send you something back.
ok, got class and need food first, later.
napnsez: nap, nancy says. which is a good idea- i had very little sleep last night
OH ... I've got yours from before and I'll forward it to Dee. No furries.
WE'RE BACK!
qhymiyh
Quickly, hire your maid, is your helping?
Woohoo Scopedope - thats fabulous work. Good luck with your pitch.
oh goody, it's back on. everyone else kept getting blank screens, right?
I'M GOING HOME TOMORROW!!!!!
thanks mcb. i'll email it to you.
orangehands said:
mary stella: fascinating stuff. so when i need help in my oceans class i go to you, right? :)
For a fellow CBer, absolutely. Talking and writing about dolphins is my job and one of my passions. No wonder my first book is set at a dolphin facility. LOLOL
oaueoe: Oceans actually unite environmentalists on ecology.
thanks mary stella. :)
BTW, Jenny, i don't remember it being mentioned what with Dorsal Finn getting all the attention, but i love your title.
OH, I ordered your book, and it should be shipped out this week.
Mary Stella wrote: "So, if you're in the ocean, see a dorsal fin approaching and the tail is moving side to side -- get out of the water. It's shark."
Yeah, like I'm going to be in the water!!!! My mom has been trying to sell her house in St. Augustine so she can move slightly north and inland a bit. I'm hoping it happens before we go down there. Always end up at the beach and I think my shark issues have just intensified, no thanks to you people. And I like the water, well fresh water that is, as long as it's not at night and you people and an f.finn are no where to be found.
MCB - FYI - the frogs are still with me. One is sitting on dictionary - making eyes at me.
SDCB - YEAH! You did it. Good for you! Feels good doesn't it. Now if I can just get 100 pages done by Dec 1st I'd be doing the happy dance with you.
JenB ((((((hugs))))))
Onward and upward. Have to go pick up the turkey and all the stuff that goes with it (or in it). I thought I'd avoided cooking one this year since I thought everyone in both families was busy. But nope, I'm getting invaded at the last minute.
Going back to read the comments but first:
ROTFL Jenny. What a great way to start a dreary rainy day.
Scopedope - can I borrow your brain. Or any of the NANO'ers? Want to get my next MS in by the time kids go on Xmas school hols - 15 Dec in Oz. They have 6 weeks as it's our summer. It's too difficult to write with a nearly 9 year old an 11 year old looking at me with soulful eyes. Can I do 50k in 3 weeks - hell yes. Will it be instantly publishible? Hell, no. Then there's the Xmas/New Year break then before you know it it's almost Feb....but I'm going to do my darndest.
Getting all these exciting ideas including a HIV contact but cant work on it as Ed wants some changes on current WIP. I am so female in lots of ways - can muli-task incredibly well but find it hard to work on 2 books at once.. closure is too important.
Why? So many people I know can work on more than one book at a time. The GAM and Cherry being a good case in point. Not that I know them, bilically or otherwise but, man their prolificiness (?word) makes me want to cry and rejoice all at once.
Maybe I just need to go to bed? nearly midnight here...
(((JenB)))
OH have a great time at the concert and a wonderful THanksgiving
JenT Do you grill your turkey? Just asking 'cause you mentioned you grill everything I do know people that cook it that way. Here in the South Deep Fried Turkey is a big thing. Thank goodness not at my family's.
SDCB Congratulations What fun we'll have next year working on pitches. This time Dee will be taking deep breaths as she waits to pitch too
Loved your P and D phrases
Cologne girl So great to hear from you. Missed you.
DD welcome. Once you leave the woodwork you have trouble boring back in
Mary Stella enjoyed the information. Is your book out? I love books with dolphins in them
I have been laughing so hard at all the names and trying to keep it quiet because I don't want to wake up the dogs yet
Congratulations on winning DeeandCee's contest McB and OH
Please everyone who is travelling be careful and get to your location safely(I know I sound like a mother. I can't help it)
It's raining and extremely windy here. My guys won't be down until later today. I hope it isn't as windy then.
Until then it's me and the dogs and cats. I'm going to try and get more done on my NANOWRI book. If I can stop playing on here that is.
Happy Thanksgiving to anyone who won't be able to check in tomorrow.
I'm thankful for this blog and the friends I've met here.
DUG you can do it. I know you can.
I don't think I can work on two books at once either. I need to do revisions on one book but I want to finish this one first.
qrukn quick run Ken
rssasrb - I've never grilled a turkey before. Actually, believe it or not, a turkey is one thing I can cook. Weird. I get one fresh one with a popper, stuff it (yes I remember to take out all the parts, but I know someone who didn't! Didn't even know they were in the turkey, which made me laugh becuase even I knew that) and then put in one of those Reynolds plastic bags and shove it in the oven. piece of cake.
I used one of those bags one time for my turkey, it came out nice and juicy, J-T.
But, the thing I love most is making a basting sauce of honey, mustard and butter, and getting out my trusty baster and lovingly squirting that baby, and filling the room with the scent of cooking. Yum! And my pumpkin pie ... to die for. *grin*
Unfortunately, this year I'm alone, so it's a trip to Jensen's for a prepared dinner. I've been invited to two places but said no thanks. I can't think of anything worse than spending T-G with a bunch of strangers. That might sound weird but I barely know the people who invited me, and they've both complained through the year about their families ... so ... off to the store I go. *grin* Besides, I can stay home with my imaginary friends and write.
Congrats to SDCB. Yahoo! You beat NaNo.
DUG, you can do it. I always choose a different CD for each hero. When I have to switch hats I switch CD's and play the heck out of it while I do my housework and think about my story. Then when I sit down to write, I'm in a better place. It works for me.
Cologne girl! Nice to hear from you.
OH, give Mick a big ol' kiss from me.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'll probably be over here tomorrow, but just in case, travel safely, don't overeat, and keep your ego out of tricky conversations. *wink*
rg
RG said ... I can't think of anything worse than spending T-G with a bunch of strangers. That might sound weird but I barely know the people who invited me, and they've both complained through the year about their families
There's a woman that I work with who will be alone at Thanksgiving. I told her, "gee I feel so bad, but honestly I wouldn't want to inflict my family on you by inviting you to join us."
She laughed and said she appreciated the intent. And its not that I don't love my family; but I also realize that what I'll put up with out of love and obligation will send strangers running into the night screaming.
You have 79 comments before I'm making this one and I didn't read them all, but I just had to say I laughed out loud...twice.
Those 4 Finn brothers must be a hoot in a bar. Of course, they all go by their last name so it's pretty confusing.
Thanks for the laugh.
You have 79 comments before I'm making this one and I didn't read them all, but I just had to say I laughed out loud...twice.
Those 4 Finn brothers must be a hoot in a bar. Of course, they all go by their last name so it's pretty confusing.
Thanks for the laugh.
Thanksgiving on your own can be lovely. A few years ago I got myself deluxe ingredients for dinner, then went to buy myself a lovely slice of chocolate cake for my dessert at a gourmet shop. The gal at the counter was horrified I was spending Thanksgiving alone until I pointed out that I was going to make myself a lucious dinner, read a novel I'd been saving for the occasion, maybe watch a movie, and do absolutely nothing I didn't want to do.
At which point she said, "Now that you put it that way, can I come to your place?" Ha!
This year: dinner with my oldest friend, his wife, their kids (1 and 3), his parents (old friends of my parents), his aunt, his grandmother (100 years old this past summer!), and all the stragglers his lovely wife, who can't bear to see anyone left out, has invited at the last minute.
After this year, I may end up reverting to Thanksgiving alone again! :)
So today I am going to attempt making gingerbread for the first time. Not gingerbread cookies, gingerbread. I'm bringing a salad and shortbread anyway, so if the gingerbread doesn't come out well I can abandon it at home since it wasn't promised.
JenT That's how I usually cook a turkey. Love the bags and the pop up thingies.
Your recipe sounds tasty though RG. I am going to make pumpkin pies because my kids love them. I'm cheating this year though and using the pumpkin pie filling because I don't have all my spices and stuff. I need to restock them before Christmas.
My mom invited a friend for Christmas dinner the year after her mom died. Said friend is single and an only child. She didn't come back last year. She said it was too much excitement for her. And we didn't even fight.
We're usually on relatively good behavior on holidays. Relatively. Doesn't mean we don't irritate the h&(^ out of each other but we bite our tongues. Mostly.
My DH usually parks himself in the den away from most of the craziness. The men gravitate in there with the TV.
Of course, he learned to do that to avoid the extreme insanity of his own family.
My DH (and that does stand for dear)is on the way to the hospital for a cardiac electrolyte study. He had shoulder pain and heaviness in his chest last Sunday but didn't mention it to me. Then when he was in NY this week he looked those symptoms up on the Internet and called the doctor. He just left the doctor's office. The doc saw something on the EKG that bothered him. Hence the study.
Please send positive Cherrybomb thoughts his way.
He didn't even tell me he had a doctor's appointment until I was on my way to get the dogs last night.
He has a strong family history of heart disease and all of the risk factors. Then there is the stress we've been under for the last 8 months. I'm really worried.
(((((Robin)))))
Sending all the postive CB vibes you need. Keep us posted and you know how to reach me if you just need a friendly shoulder.
rssasrb: hugs from me too.
Last weekend DH and I had to take his mom to the ER because she was having chest pains. Luckily, it just turned out to be a pulled muscle from when she moved the washing machine.
Hope you get equally good news. Waiting is the worst.
Happy Turkey Day, everyone. Watch out for the crazy people. Or at least the other crazy people.
Random T-shirt quote: 5 / 4 people are bad at fractions.
ggukgm: the noise you make on the couch about an hour after Thanksgiving dinner.
RSS - (((hugs))) and positive CB vibes heading your way. And to put a positive slant on this, its good that he's getting this checked out early. If they do find something, they can fix it before real damage is done.
My mom has had 2 heart attacks and a triple bypass. At her last check up she was in better health than she's been in years. In a switch of fate, its now dad I do the most worrying about. Parents. If I had kids too I'd probably be stoked on valium.
Meat thermometers - I highly recommend them. Those popout thingies sometimes don't work. I could do a break even analysis for you on higher priced turkeys with the popouts vs regular priced turkeys (and other meats that they're good for) but... WAKE UP, HERE, I'm speaking!!!
Yep, meat thermometers. Wouldn't do a rare beef roast without one.
Turkey, dressing, etc. For years I had to take turkey, dressing, KNIFE, thermometer, and all the stuff to my MIL's and then cook it. No one else in the family can cook for squat. Finally we (politely) suggested meeting at our house, since we were the only ones with kids. Life got easier not toting a raw, naked turkey around.
ynbwqfnm: And a merry Thanksgiving to you, too, Blooger!
(((((Robin)))))
I have officially broken in my new oven. 52 pumpkin pies so far, and none of them burned or had burned spots (like my old oven). The convection thing seems to work great. 6 pies at a time and no rotating them. I am a happy camper. BTW just to brag, I cook my pies from sweet pumpkins, not canned orange dyed stuff.
The countertops and cabinets got delayed until after Thanksgiving, but that is ok, since at least my new oven was in and working.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and hopefully we will all find a few minutes to visit the blog. I look forward to participating in the Christmas cookie exchange.
I'd be stoked on valium too if anyone would give me some. Kidding.
Thanks for the hugs and vibes. They help. I'm still waiting to hear something. And I am glad that he's getting it checked out now.
btuda Glad your MIL is okay. I imagine your DH had a few choice words for her about moving the washer by herself.
GP I have this picture of you tugging a naked turkey with a rope while someone runs along side holding up a blanket so it doesn't shock the neighbors. LOL
I have cooked turkeys without the popups. I just hate using a meat thermometer. I have no idea why. I know my mother never threatened me with one because I don't think she has one. Which is probably why the eye of round roast we had most Sundays for dinner was always dry and stringy. Of course she also hates rare meat.
Meat thermometer. Another thing I need to replace.
k.l. 52 pumpkin pies!!! Holy moley batman.
Thanks for the tip about the convection oven. I'll have to use that setting when I make mine. From canned dyed orange pumpkin with the stuff already added. I tried cooking real pumpkin once. I made a mess and it turned out gross.
I admire and respect your abilities. 52 pies. From real pumpkins. In an unfinished kitchen. I'm in awe. And embarrassed. I'm taking premade veggie and fruit trays and brown and serve rolls.
Next year. Next year I'll actually cook again. Or maybe I can participate in the Christmas cookie exchange. If I figure out how to bake cookies in the gas oven at the rental without burning the bottoms.
You know once upon a time I fixed a five course chinese dinner for guests and made everything including the eggrolls from scratch.
I made 15 different types of Christmas cookies. In one day. I took a vacation day from work to do it.
My ability and desire to cook decreased with each child.
Anyone else experience that or is it just me?
My ability and desire to cook has
decreased with each child.
You know your post is too long if blogger cuts it off.
Hugs and prayers to everyone who needs them -- and to those who don't, you get them anyway.
Maybe it's pre-holiday giddiness, but today I think that Spartacus Finn has a certain ring to it for a character. Either that or it reminds me of Atticus Finch. You know, maybe Harper Lee originally planned to call her character Spartacus Finn, but her editor changed it in the line edits.
vechijbb: Vegetables, eggs, cranberries, hamhocks, ice cream, jelly, basil, beer: Ingredients for Uncle Sparty's annual inedible Thanksgiving side dish.
Rssarb: I hope all goes well with your husband! Take good care of both of you. I'm impressed with your past cooking exploits - obviously you COULD if you wanted to. If you don't want to, it's just a chore- and we have plenty of chores without adding 'em. My mom has gone back to being interested in cooking again - occasionally - now that she's retired. She also lives at a retirement community where she gets 10 meals a month in the dining room. But to avoid burning the bottoms of things, I've had good luck with both stones and the air cushion aluminum cookie sheets.
KL - congrats on the pies - you're amazing as usual. I've never worked with a real pumpkin - do you bake them then scoop, or peel? I don't eat pumpkin pie, but I do eat pumpkin soup and other things. I hope you continue to love your new kitchen as it finishes up.
Meat thermometers: I love 'em, though I admit I get a little stressed about placement. But last night I made a lovely pork tenderloin and set the timer and then figured to try the thermometer (one of the ones where the probe in the oven is tethered to a readout on the counter). By temperature, it finished about 8 minutes early by the timer - and out of 30 min, that'd probably have killed the poor thing. And our turkey is usually done earlier than expected, too.
Have a lovely time at the Stones concert, OH!
gtpdbide: sorry, I'm on VACATION.
Actually, if it were not for my DH, the kids would have starved long ago. I love to bake, but have absolutely no interest in cooking. I manage it once or twice a week, but everyone is much happier when he does the cooking.
As to preparing the pumpkins, it is actually pretty easy. Do NOT use those big carving pumpkins; too stringy and watery. Use the smaller sweet pumpkins. Cut into quarters and remove the guts. Cook in 1/2" boiling water, skin side down until the meat is soft. About 20 minutes. Peel off the skin and mash. Then use the same as the canned stuff.
Way better.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving, especially you Andi, as I'm quite sure I'll need to send you a sympathy e-card in about a week and a half.
The Midshipmen are going to run over Army this year.
I posted and lost service for a minute.
DH is fine. The ER doc didn't see anything on the EKG he did and the bloodwork was okay. He told DH he thought it might have been acid reflux. Thank goodness.
You guys are wonderful. I couldn't call any of my sibs because they always tell my mom and she's made worrying into an Olympic even. Thanks for the support and the good vibes and prayers.
In the darkness, there are Cherrybombs. CMS was so right.
k.l. Now I know what I did wrong. I used a huge pumpkin and I tried to bake it. I did clean and cut it up first but it wasn't good. Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try making a pie with fresh pumpkin but not until after Thanksgiving when the grocery stores are once again safe
ah, the fun of naming the children. sounds like the conversations dh and i are having right about now. only a few weeks left before we have a baby and this kid doesn't have a chance of having a normal name!!
steph in VA
RSS: ((((hugs!))))
Great news. Yes, gastric trouble can mimic heart trouble symptoms. I almost said something earlier but I could just hear BCB say "You twit, now you're a doctor?"
Which doesn't mean that anyone out there having similar symptoms should take it for granted.
Oh, and the lawyers in the office are discussing whether to file a Motion for Mootness.
They don't seem to find it as funny as I do. Go figure.
vgmrahx: Viciously growling, Mayer replied, "Ah hates Xavier!"
Lawyers never can seem to see the obvious humor in a situation.
MCB - LMAO WHo ever heard of such a thing. What exactly is a Motion for Mootness? Are they going into the swamp to look for her?
RSS - Glad the CBs could brighten yoru darkness. They always do for me.
Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow to those of you celebrating. Does this mean the rest of us will have to play by ourselves?
Sorry. I was channeling JenT's spelling on the last post. The phone rang before I could spellchuck (that was deliberate)
[[[[[[[rss]]]]]]] glad everything is all right now. Acid Reflux can really hurt and yes even the doctors sometimes think it is heart. No, I am not a doctor. Just had acid reflux.
thanks for the congratulations everyone. downunder gal if you already have an editor and two manuscripts you sure don't need my brain. I am astounded that I finished NaNo by writing one story from beginning to almost end. I know I have written more than 50,000 words in my reporting but that is several different stories. Have to finish it yet. I am still writing. I don't even know if it will be finished by Nov.30. 50,000 words isn't enough for a book anyhow. I will have to flesh this out in editing. Still excited to find out how it ends since this story is only vaguely like my plot outline.
Once again Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We Canadians and Ozzies and Brits or living in Britain, and Cologne Girl will be waiting for you when you come back.
green uubgcwxl
Unfortunately under Bob's guidance Crusie wrote Xavier's lament.
Happy Turkey Day to everyone celebrating it
Hugs to everyone needing it
I just Section 8 and Bodyguard of Lies in the mail (YAY!) so now I have stuff to read over the long weekend.
rssarb said:
DH is fine. The ER doc didn't see anything on the EKG he did and the bloodwork was okay. He told DH he thought it might have been acid reflux. Thank goodness.
Thank goodness is right. If it helps, I checked myself into the E.R. last spring because I had all the symptoms of a heart attack. After a couple of days in the hospital and several different tests, the cardiologist decided they were esophageal spasms, possibly also acid reflux. He said those things can mimic angina.
Glad the dh is okay!
And I should know that. I worked with cardiac patients for years and advised as many people about what to avoid eating with esophageal reflux (I was repeating whatDH said when I wrote acid reflux) as I did post MI (heart attack)patients. I've been worried about him for the past couple of weeks because he hasn't looked well.
He's going to love it when I tell him he needs to avoid wine or beer for at least two hours before bed.
Operation Petticoat is over. I need to get back to writing
Before you all go off a turkeying.... Acid reflux is better than a heart condition. HOWEVER, everyone of you with the reflux thingie: Take it seriously. See your vet (Do they hate it when I call them that! Also, they do piece work!) and get some followup done. Reflux can cause serious damage and MUST BE CONTROLLED.
Now I'm off to take my nekked turkey for a stroll around the neighborhood. Gobble, gobble.
And I should know that. I worked with cardiac patients for years and advised as many people about what to avoid eating with esophageal reflux (I was repeating whatDH said when I wrote acid reflux) as I did post MI (heart attack)patients. I've been worried about him for the past couple of weeks because he hasn't looked well.
He's going to love it when I tell him he needs to avoid wine or beer for at least two hours before bed.
Operation Petticoat is over. I need to get back to writing
Give me a break blogger.
green zupfozh zany unconcerned people fixed oz here
rssasrb - So glad DH is all right. That is a scary thing.
Have a nice Turkey Day everyone.
rssasrb - great news about your DH. I'd like to echo your thoughts on cooking decreasing with each child. I used to love cooking. Then I had a child who is a finicky eater and it's sucked all the joy out of cooking for me. When your offerings get continually rejected, it's hard to stay passionate.
Pumpkin - we eat pumkin in our house probably 3 days a week. Roast pumpkin is the best - skin on. But whoever said not to use the big carving ones was right. We have jap and butternut varities over here. Small sweet little orange lovlies. Also, pumpkin is low in carbs.
Happy Thanksgiving to the US CB's.
vkufesz- very kinky uncles fornicate enormously, spectacularly, zealously
And very high in Vitamin A. One of the antioxidants.
So far my kids only eat pumpkin in bread or in pie. When they were babies they loved plain pumpkin. When they were babies they ate almost everything. Then two of them grew into picky eaters. Because I always swore I'd never have a picky eater. Payback.
DUG you put it perfectly. They suck the joy out of cooking.
They're getting more polite about it but rejection is rejection.
I don't care much for plain pumpkin, love it in pies. But I do like the other varieties of squash just about any way you can fix them.
hey you. Up there in the comment above me. yeah you. Aren't you supposed to be writing now?
Geez. There have been so many comments since I last looked that I'm cross-eyed trying to catch up.
OH: So glad you get to see the Stones while they can still move.
Robin: Very relieved that your DH's heart is fine.
Scope Dope: So VERY proud of you and your word count. Book done yet?
And pumpkins. Well. I was very happy that I did not have to help carve one this year at Halloween. It's darn near impossible to get it out to the trash the next day before the ants invade and turn it to mush.
And for those of you who have children who do not/will not eat: want to trade? I just fed the first wave of large quasi-adult life forms. I think there were four of them, but a couple more must have been hidden under the table, considering the amount of food they consumed. They eat everything that is not tied down. And the dog gobbles up anything that gets dropped on the floor.
And today is just the first day of a five day weekend during which large life forms will be in and out of the house at all hours. And they will all be hungry, no matter when they last ate.
My DD said earlier, laughing: You know mom, our house seems to be the place to be. Kind of like a home for refugees.
Yeah. Hungry refugees. A