New Washer! (It's the Little Things)

 It really is the little things in life that excite me and keep me smiling as much as I do. I can be really put off by the negative attitudes that some people I speak to during the day can have, and then, out of nowhere my joy is restored by seeing a cute puppy in a car window smiling at me, or maybe I'm getting gas (like I did today) and realized that the prices have gone down! Woot!

    Over the weekend, my really inexpensive used washer that I purchased about a year ago decided to do a less-than-stellar job, so I decided to replace it.  Knowing I have about 100 choices around town to choose from, I began my search on Marketplace on Facebook, thinking—and even hoping—to find this one guy I know from years back, who sold used appliances that he had personally refurbished. I trust him; he's a good guy, but alas, he has retired.

    I did find the man, but he told me he sold his shop, and he wouldn't even recommend buying from the guy he sold it to. He told me that getting out of the business was a difficult decision, but he thinks he made the right one. He did tell me where to go to get a good machine, and I checked them out. However, for virtually the same price, I can get one at Sam's Club, and the delivery is free. They also haul away my old one for free.  I'm talking $70 difference, and the machine is new, still in the box.

    The old machine may be repairable, and someone can use it. I thought about donating it, but they wanted me to help load it, and that's not going to happen. The next group of people I tried said they could do it for a $50 donation....wait, what? I'm donating the machine! No thanks, I'll let Sam's third-party guy or gal have it, and they can do with it what they want. The delivery, hook-up, and haul were included in the price. I only had to pay taxes over the cost, and that's it.

    Lowes, Home Depot, Buy For Less, Appliances 4 Less, and other places had different stipulations, but all had stipulations. There were delivery frees, tips, requirements for repair insurance, hauling fees, etc...well, no thank you. Sam's Club did it right. They've got my business, and they'll keep it too. I went in today to look at the machines, but they are only online. However, while I was there, I walked down the candy aisle. It was on my way out the door, you see.  I picked up a HUGE bag of Easter Cadbury eggs (the little ones with hard shells) for $8.71 (MONSTER big bag). Yes, I bought it.

    So, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. I will have a new 4.1 cubic ft top-load washer with an agitator for $525 + tax. My old one is an Amana 3.5 cubic ft, so I think I'm OK. New is good. I realize now that this is the first new machine I've bought. I've always allowed myself to buy a good used one, which is fine, but this time I'm going for it -- warranty and all. (two years included) I will probably wait a month and get a matching dryer to go with it -- no sense in working the other one into the ground. I'll see if a church wants it before allowing the Sam's people to take it too. 

    Woot! I'm a happy girl -- just me and big ol' bag of chocolate eggs...and yes, a new machine on the way. Gotta love the little things in life. 

Photo Credit: Samsclub.com 

Losing Dad. (A Reflection)

     He didn't go quickly. We had a few years of watching his decline, and knowing that his appointment with Jesus was coming, so we tried to see him as often as we could. I moved back to Oklahoma a year or so before Dad passed, thinking I could help Mom and my daddy close down their farm and get things in order. That didn't happen, at least not in the way I thought it might. I guess when I was planning things, I didn't take my siblings (or one in particular) into account any more than she took the rest of us into account.

    Needless to say, after his passing, the dynamics of the family altered to the point that virtually no one who knew us would have recognized what was left of the Stringfellows.  We had not been raised to be friends while we were growing up, so it was no surprise to any of us that we weren't close after we reached adulthood. I think (somehow) Mom was still surprised by the lack of concern or interest we kids had for one another. It is what it is, and what it is certainly isn't begging to be made into a Hallmark movie.

    When Dad passed, I noticed an immediate change in the way things were handled; he hadn't even passed, but was lying in the hospital room when my sister thought she could take control of literally every aspect of my parents' lives and drill the rest of us into whatever corner she chose.  If you know me, and you may by now, I didn't listen to her. She can talk and scream at me until she's blue in the face, and I'll give her that smile I give just before I walk away. She has never been able to tell me what to do, which is part of the dynamic she was hoping to change.

    With Dad safely in the loving arms of Jesus, my Mom stepped into whatever it is that she stepped into. I think I've seen her a couple of times over the past seven years. When she was hospitalized and in rehab over the summer of 2020 (could have been 2021) we weren't allowed into the room with her, and had to literally stand outside in the weather talking to each other by cell through the window. At least dear sister wasn't there to stop me then! Again, it is what it is. I wasn't set up to take Mom into my place, and I am very grateful that she is comfortable, even if she is predominantly sequestered from literally all of us.

    Losing my dad let me reflect on my childhood, my upbringing, how he influenced us, and what it meant to be his favorite child....Oh, yeah, sorry, I just put that part in there. I'm sure he didn't have a favorite, unless he did and told all of us the same thing.  My daddy was a good man, a Christian man, a believer and follower of Christ. He was a Navy man, a quiet man, and a man so in love with his wife, he didn't even know what it would be like to think outside that box. He really was a very very good person.

    I decided to dedicate this book to my dad (Jude's Almost Daily Blog Book 4)  because he did so much for us growing up and he probably never realized the impact he would or did have on us. He built us a giant treehouse without a tree, it was a fort on stilts, and with his knack at carpentry, let me just say people could have lived in the fort rather comfortably if they had a mind to jump the fence, fight back the dogs, and defend themselves against all of us and our friends who used it year round. He drove us places, took us to work with him, fished and camped with us. He cooked while Mom baked. He worked and paid the family bills; no kid thinks about that. He never missed a beat.

    My daddy was the one man I could always depend on, and I did depend on him. He's still watching over us - and no one can convince me otherwise. I love you, Daddy. I always will. 

My dad. Reuben Wayne Stringfellow

Fixed.

 All the mammals in our house, except my daughter Laura, are spayed or neutered. Yes, every last one of us, except her. I'm the first of us, of course. I was fixed about 35 years ago, right after giving birth to my 3rd.  Ginger was fixed when I picked her up from the shelter, as was Frodo the cat. However, the others had to be taken to the vet to have the job done.

    Dr. Sam Crosby Sr. has been our small animal vet for over a decade, and his son, Dr. Sam Crosby Jr., is our large animal vet. We no longer have large animals, but when we did, we couldn't have found a better horse veterinarian than Dr. Sammy, as he is affectionately known around these parts.  His dad, Dr. Sam, is probably going to retire soon. I think he's just about that age when he finds someone to train so he can rest a while, go fishing, and recall all the nonsense he's had to endure for these past 50+ years -- I've heard a few of his stories. No, thank you.

    It's really not the animals, I'm sure, but their owners. I know I try really hard to not give the man any direction. I feel that he's more than capable of doing what he does without me pretending my dog or cat deserves extra care or better treatment -- no, they're normal; he's exceptional. I prefer to just drop them off, wave at them, and let the doctor's staff know the check will clear on my way out the door.

    Rose and Kiba went this past Monday, and I have to say, I think if any of our pets did decide to go see Jesus and then, of course, decide not to return, I would not get another one that needed to be fixed. It's expensive, it's time-consuming, and it's a huge inconvenience, really, when I can just pick up a dog or cat from the shelter after it has been taken care of -- so much cheaper. Dr. Sam is very inexpensive compared to others, but it was still $525 for the two of them. They were given their necessary shots as well -- just saying; it's not something I'd like to do very often.

    When we picked the dogs up, Kiba (a 7-pound Chihuahua/Pom mix) hardly knew he'd been snipped. Dr. Crosby said he was up and moving within 10 minutes, somewhat curious about it, but not overly upset.  Rose, on the other hand, (a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross) was cross-legged, dropping her head, trying to make eye contact, but couldn't stop the stars from swimming around long enough to focus on our faces. She dropped into the backseat and had to be peeled off of it when we got home. Kiba basically asked for a treat and told us his butt hurt a little.

    We, of course, brought home the cones of shame. Kiah had to wear her every minute for those first four days, but Rose and Kiba haven't even thought about tearing into their stitches. They haven't itched, scratched, or begged for medication. Kiah whined a lot, rolled over, and tried to rub herself on the couch to itch the area; she was a mess.  I don't remember if Bilbo (cat) did anything special - he was only 3 or 4 months old when he was fixed - I don't think he skipped a meal. Bilbo hasn't really skipped any meals -- ever.

    If more people would spay and neuter their pets, we wouldn't have the sad stories of shelter euthanasia that we have now. Over a million animals a year are put down in our country alone; there truly is a better way to deal with these statistics. I remember hearing Bob Barker say it at the close of The Price is Right: "Remember to spay and neuter your pets." It may sound easy to say, but getting people to do it is another matter. Pet insurance is beginning to take a foothold in our nation, and that will help -- look into it if you haven't already done so.

    A GIANT thank you to Dr. Crosby and Dr. Crosby, who together have made such a vast difference in our lives, and the lives of those we love. 

Rosaleigh "Rose"

Kiba

www.judestringfellow.com 

DION - Finished and Up for Publication! Woot!

     The book ended up being 385 pages and 33 chapters long. I finished it, and after I read the last chapter, I decided to add another one. It wasn't all that finished until the woman was living inside the house she had inherited, because she had fought so hard for it.  In the end, she is satisfied with her efforts, and that makes me happy.

    I'll tell you something else that happens when you spend so much time with these people living inside your head: you can't seem to stop listening to them talk about their problems, solutions, issues, and whatever else they decide to discuss. I'll be at Sam's buying dog food, and all of a sudden, I'll hear the voice of Jack Abercrombie behind me asking if that's the right choice; maybe I should consider the dog's palate.  Jack is such a prat!

    I won't tell you what happens to Jack in the book, but something devastating does happen to him. I read and re-read what I wrote, and I began to tear up. I realized then that Jack was probably going to hang around for a while, much like Mathew from "The" does. They don't have a thing in common, but they'll end up getting to know one another if they're floating around my office space long enough.

    I need to add a dog personality to the next novel. I do have one in the Nick Posh series, but the ladies in my novels, who tend to be on the move, don't really have time for dogs. After saying that, I realized that Jule from Bay Sorrel Ranch bought a ranch. She has time for dogs. She has a few, but I should have dug deeper into their personalities and shone a little light on them. I will next time, I promise.

    Actually, the next novel outside of the Posh books will feature a male lead - oh my.  He's in his mid-to-late twenties and seeking to find his beginnings. He was stolen at birth and raised across the waterways from where he should have been. Believing himself to be a bastard without any hope of a real future with the woman he has fallen in love with, he decides to find the truth about who he really is. Whether or not the findings will satisfy her father, he has to try.

    He won't have a dog either, not if he's expected to cross the seas and fight this or that sworn enemy on his long and arduous quest to regain and discover his legacy. Oh well, I'll find a place for the dog, even if I have to write a book from the dog's point of view, which, no, I don't want to do that, sorry, yeah, no. I'll make something happen. I have a few books to go - keep reading!

    This year, 2025, will see "Stratford", "Dion", "Cask", Legacy", and probably "Shadow" being written. Then, in early 2026, I'll write "Kingdom," "Slick," "Tulsa," and "Death Mask" for sure... It's good to have a plan. I just realized that "Slick" will be a novel I can stick a good dog in and make it stick! It'll have to be a rescue-- and it might be a mutt; pretty sure it's going to be a mutt. Oh, and yeah, Leigh has a dog in "The" so we're good!

    "Dion" will be sent up tomorrow for its first publication, which means I'll run one copy, review it for mistakes, correct those mistakes, and allow it to be purchased around or on May 7, 2025. Woot!  Here's the new cover. I had to redo it since it was 35 pages thicker than what I first thought it would be.

Photo Credit: Me.

    www.judestringfellow.com 

White House Message on Holy Week 2025 -- Amazing.

This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity. Beginning with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in the Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Good Friday, and reaching its pinnacle in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. This week is a time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus’ crucifixion—and to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for His miraculous Resurrection from the dead. During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness—signaling that death does not have the final word. This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square. As we focus on Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, we look to His love, humility, and obedience—even in life’s most difficult and uncertain moments. This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation. We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in Heaven. May God bless you and your family during this special time of year and may He continue to bless the United States of America. News Administration Issues Contact EOP Visit Gallery Video Library America 250 Founding Fathers

Zoo Time!

 So, I work for one of those types of companies that force their employees to travel an entire six miles once or twice a year to meet with anyone and everyone else who must also travel great distances to see each other. Since we work remotely, and by that, I mean that at any given time, there may be only three humans in the actual brick-and-mortar building that was purchased with pride and admiration years ago. Believe me, when I tell you, the building is amazing!! I truly love it, but no, I wouldn't go back to working in a real-life building again - NOPE!

    This year, because they could, the HR department decided we should all have fun at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I have to say, they made a really wonderful choice. Not only, was the weather perfect for walking our butts off, but almost every single animal was out because of the cloud cover and lower temps. I would say, if I were guessing, that the high today was in the mid-70s but at the time we met up, which was around 9:00 a.m., it was just about a perfect 62 degrees! Oh, can't tell you how wonderful it really was.

    I met up with folks I've talked to for a year on nearly an everyday basis, but had never met! My boss was one such meet-up! He brought his wife and their kids, and I felt as if we'd been hanging out for the entire year. I recognized him immediately! Then, there was another manager who, believe it or not, didn't have to show up because he lives outside of the one-hour radius rule -- WAY out of it. He drove himself and his family from about 400-500 miles from where we live JUST to meet up with us -- and of course, see his grandma, who also works for the company! (It's a really great place.)

    If you know me, you know I like to have fun, so what I did today to one of the higher-ups was hilarious. I speak of him, about him, but never to or with him. He's not seen me, but he knows who I am, and though he would never have been able to pick me out of a line up if he had to, I walked up to him and threw my arms around him right in front of three of the other higher ups who I had also never seen and or interacted with. I did it with a manager's nudging and encouragement - because the look on the man's face was simply -- priceless. I pretended we knew each other, and waited for him to either say "I really have NO IDEA who you are," or to pretend he did know me, and to go with it -- he went with it!! 

    When I finally introduced myself, he slapped my shoulder and said, "OK, OK, I've been told you're a prankster! I get it!" He was too much fun, and the other guys were bent over laughing about it -- Maybe it was one of those "you had to be there" moments, but we were there, and it was too much fun! Me, my boss, his boss, his boss, and his boss gathered in the same space for the group photo -- so I guess I wasn't too much out of line with my antics. Everyone has a good sense of humor there, at least everyone I've met so far.

     One of the owners of the company, a seemingly very private man, congratulated me on making "Employee of the Month" last month, and apparently, by winning it, I am now eligible for a chance to win "Employee of the Year."  The man I hugged got me back. He told me that if I win, I have to work at the office for the entire next year, so that I can use the auxiliary benefit of having a free parking space! NOPE...he may not know me, but everyone knows that this girl has no intention of putting on real pants, shoes, or makeup just to be seen! They were lucky I wore shoes today! 

    Our first pit stop at the Zoo was in the Children's Zoo, which is really a petting zoo - Laura had to get her goat fix. They used to have a little calf, a miniature horse, and even a donkey, but today it was a handful of goats and a few sheep. The goats were quite attentive. I thought we could end up taking one home with us, but alas, Laura finally let it go so others could enjoy its precious fuzzy face. We met up with about forty or fifty people I work with and had a few interesting conversations about work. We walked about 2 miles and then headed home before it became too crowded. The parking lot was a mess with all the school buses pulling in around the time we were leaving -- whew! Just in time!

Photo Credit: Me.

www.judestringfellow.com 

Taxes 2024 - Done!

     Nothing like waiting until the last moment to do your taxes, but here I am, killing it.  I looked at the calendar on my wall and I saw that April 22 is Earth Day. I then noticed the tiny letters at the bottom of April 15th and wondered about them. It wasn't for a second or two that I said to myself, "Oh yeah, you have to file your taxes!"  I was going to do it sooner this year, and I meant to, but there wasn't any rush to do it.

    Since long before I can even recall now, whatever I earn back from the government goes right back to it to pay for fees, interest, and other taxes that somehow escaped me back when I was just as lax about it as I am now. I suppose one day, after the Rapture of the Church, I'll end up flush with the government not owing anything -- but until that day, I fight the good fight.

    Like millions of people, I used TurboTax for years, and then, because of the commercials telling me I could switch to H&R Block this year, I switched to H&R Block! I'm here to tell you, they are the same. There is very little difference between the two sites; only the animation has changed. They still charge you for the State filing, despite what you think or feel. Don't think for a second that you'll get out of it.

    They like to hide their fee of course; stating that for $34 administration fee, they'll file your State taxes for free. Then, after you get all the way to the end -and their system won't accept your "selfie" picture and you have to print and mail in the paper forms - they still take your money and tell you that you're another number -- nothing has changed. I couldn't get TurboTax's software to work correctly last year, or the year before, or the year before. I don't know why I thought it would be different for me this year. I wonder if I had paid the additional $21, they would have encouraged me to pay for additional fast and easy service, and if their software would have synced with mine. ( I bet those who pay the $55 fee don't have issues, just sayin' )

    Well, after I got the entire thing done, finished, and printed, I realized I had forgotten to add my Social Security payments! What? That's nuts! True, it is nuts, and it was crazy of me to have the paper in front of me, but somehow I just eliminated it. To be honest, it wasn't easy to backpedal, but I'm really glad I wasn't able to file online because I had to correct it anyway—so there's that! I found a silver lining!

    After adding my SS payments literally every penny I thought I was getting back was sucked back into their system! I even owe a few dollars -- will you look at that? I can easily cut that small check or pay it online, but I filed for an extension anyway - that way I can string them along like they've always treated me. Yes, I realize that's not the best way to behave, and I know that I need to grow up a little and stop sticking my tongue out at the big, ugly government officials trying to tell me that I owe more than I should.

    NEXT YEAR -- I'm told, President Trump is doing away with so many of the IRS requirements. This is going to be really something to admire. I hope it happens. I really do, but given the choice between never paying another tax and having Jesus return in the Rapture -- you don't have to guess which one I'd choose. Maranatha!! Let's go!  At least now, because of the great job I had this year and the responsible choice I made to have enough taken out of my paycheck, I was able to cover my Social Security taxes by all but literally a few bucks.

    I'm smiling, and the good news is that it may very well be the last time we pay taxes this way again—fingers crossed!

Photo Credit: Berfin.ee
www.judestringfellow.com 

DION will end today!! (and then the fun begins)

     It's a strange feeling when you know you're about to end a book you've written. You're at the next to or the next to the next to last chapter; you can sense the closing right before you. It's a great deal like leaving a forest because when you go into one, you're not thinking about how you'll feel when you leave - you're thinking about what could be in the forest that holds your attention. When you leave, you think about the experience you just had, and right before you turn to see the last few trees, you know you're walking toward the clearing. 

    Today is the day that the book titled "Dion" will be finished in its preliminary phase. The 33 chapters will be written, and there will likely be around 79,000 words or so. The rest of the book, the next 6000-8000 words, will show up during the fluff and stuff phase; and that's the really fun part. I go through the bones of the book and add the flesh. I skim over the parts I know will go well and look for gaping holes. I look for opportunities to add the thoughts and notes I came up with along the way.

    Actually, before I even start a book, I have notes and thoughts written in a Word doc to pull up when I finish, in order to insert those thoughts and notes where they would best go. It's a method I've used on all of my books, and it helps to know that even when I'm finished writing the book, I'm not really finished writing it -- not quite.  There's about 1/11 of the book to go, usually. I've even been known to take out a paragraph or two in order to make things make more sense. So, the fluffing and stuffing could go in reverse as well.

    I'll wrap things up, and take two full chapters to do that. The last chapter will be the crowning chapter which will both reiterate the actions in the book, and tell the readers what they can envision for the characters in the future - it gives the reader an idea of what I have in store for those particular characters should I return to them at some point in another writing -- down the road, we'll say. This book, "Dion", shouldn't have a sequel, it's just a novel; nothing grand.

    I haven't dedicated it yet, and that bothers me. I don't really have anyone I want to dedicate it to -- I don't know that I've come across that problem yet, but there are a lot of people in my life who I can dedicate a book to, it's just I like to sort of match the book up to the person, and I really don't have anyone that stands out -- I'll have to think about it. I want it to be memorable, and I want the person to be excited about it at the same time. Thoughts....just thoughts.  I don't want to just pick someone -- you know, it needs to be genuine.

    I'll correct the book and put it up for print on 4/22, and then I'll have a copy sent to me before it's available for purchase. This will let me go through it as a book, finding more mistakes and making those corrections before it becomes available on May 7, 2025 -- Laura's birthday. (My gosh, she's going to be 36! That's incredibly old for a daughter.) 

Photo Credit:  Twitter.com  

A Victorian-style crypt  (Elle's is even older)

www.judestringfellow.com 

    

It's Been a Lifetime of Love.

     Unlike the rich and famous, I don't mind telling anyone my age. I won't hide behind some fake tale, pretending I wasn't born in 1961. There really is no other year people could be born in our lifetimes that can be turned upside down and still be the same year they were born -- I was born in 1961, and I am very proud of that fact; thank you very much.

    I tell you that to tell you this: I've been an animal lover all my life. Not since the day I was born, no. I am quite sure I could smell and hear the animals in my parents' home before I was born. We have always been animal people—mainly dogs, I will say that, but I have been a friend of the reptiles since long before I could spell "reptile," and that, because of my upbringing, would have been around age four. 

    I got my library card on my 4th birthday, which should give you a clue as to what I was into and just how long I've been into it. My mom is a prolific reader. Like her, I didn't watch a lot of television, preferring to read stories and entire books by the time I was in the second grade. I was reading tweens by age ten and then the heavy stuff like Agatha Christie when I turned twelve. You know, I thought I was cool. 

    Reading is one passion I grew up with, but so are reptiles. Though I'm not sure if the two really go together, I can tell you that I found myself walking one mile north of my house to the library at the age of five to "read" and then again, walking over 1.5 miles west when I wanted to go to the big TG&Y because it had animals. I couldn't go alone until I was bigger, so around seven, I was making that trek.

    Once I got to the store, I would go to the office and tell them I was there, and they'd call my mom to tell her I made it. It was a good system. It was also 1969, so times are a little different these days. I would go to TG&Y and head straight back to the back of the store where they had the pets and pet supplies. The managers and workers let me stand on the bags of dog food to see into the reptile cages (enclosures), and that was my Saturday morning from about 10-12 before walking home, eating lunch, and going back out to play. We didn't see much of the inside of our houses back in those days.

    TG&Y had snakes for sale. That was just too cool. My mother was not going to let me have one, but she did take me to the Oklahoma City Zoo and let me go into the herbivore house where I could really get up close and personal with many different species. We must have been "members" back in the day, because we went a lot; either with my parents, other people's parents, churches, schools, clubs, or someone. I went a lot.

    I had a lot of little turtles growing up. Some we bought, most we found. I didn't have many snakes or lizards that were allowed into the house, but we had horny toads and five-line skinks all spring and summer long. I do remember chasing them everywhere until I was in my teens, and suddenly, with all the houses going in, the varmints became more scarce.  I did have a king snake that hung out near the barn where I played, and I would play with him - I said him, I never really knew. I think I "kept" him in someone else's field for at least four or five years.  They saw me out there, but didn't bother asking me to stop playing with the snake in the barn.

    We always had dogs, and someone always had horses I could ride, which makes me think now that I must have had an amazing childhood. I reflect on it when I see the sheer idiocy in today's society - we lived life to its fullest at such a tender age. I don't think my knees had skin on them until I went to high school. I don't know if I stopped falling off my bike or climbing trees in shorts, but I wanted to be prettier for the boys instead of beating them at everything we competed in that didn't require strength.

    I remember being so angry at Satan when I was a kid for turning himself into a snake to deceive Eve. I loved snakes. Preachers often talked about them being evil; of course, the venomous ones were untouchable. Still, I never put too much stock into the snakes I was holding as being anything but interesting potential roommates. At least, if I have done NOTHING ELSE with my life, I have instilled into my own three children that holding, loving, and caring for small creatures (and of course, the big ones too) is a good thing. God makes really fantastic creepy-crawling things. You should look closely - you might just agree.

    NOTE: Don't try to outstare a snake - it will only leave you feeling inferior. (They can't blink) 

    

They call them "Texas Brown Horned Toads" but we called them "Horny Toads" and we lived in Oklahoma, so they weren't Texas anything.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

www.judestringfellow.com 

Reptile Queen! (I've Been Called Worse)

     Laura and I have a lot of things in common, and she probably has these traits because I raised her and she's just a good old-fashioned Mommy's girl. I don't know, but what I do know is that she played trumpet, and I bought one to learn alongside her, so when she got a horse, I did that too. This time, she got a skink because I got a skink, and because they were Schneider skinks, and being sold at a ridiculously good price, I got one too.

    Truth is, she's been rehabbing and rehoming lizards now like she used to rehab and rehome horses. I will say, it's far cheaper to do the lizard thing; even if you end up buying a bunch of enclosures, fixtures, sand, substrate, hides, fake foliage, bowls, and lights...and yes, crickets!  You can't forget the twice-a-week run to the pet store to get 100 crickets; that's fun too.  Crickets are cheaper than hay, oats, and feed! Geckos, bearded dragons, and skinks don't cost $$$$$ to stall and be maintained. They don't have the vet bills either, but the #1 reason they're better to own than horses, is that horse people suck! 

    We don't have to deal with lizard parents; you just tune them out, or ignore their "advice", which, yes, is annoying as heck. No one does things the same way -- you live, you learn. I listen to the experts and shut out the others. HOWEVER, that being said, I didn't listen to the experts when it came to ordering the Schneider skinks and you'd think I would; but since the best place to buy them online (Backwater Reptiles) was out of the Schneider skink, I went with a company that didn't have the best reviews.

    I won't tell you their name, but I wouldn't buy another "American Reptile" if I had to.  The comments alone should have told me to stay away, but most of the bad reviews were about customer service, not the animals. Apparently, the owners had gotten into trouble over shipping tortoises from places or to places, I don't know. We ordered two Schneiders and they were shipped quickly. They were shipped overnight with FedEx and were only in their little box for about 13 hours; so that's cool.  It's the backstory that is unbelievable.

    Transparency is EVERYTHING to me. I used to tell my kids that I could take the ugly truth, but a pretty lie or omission was not how to handle things.  With the skinks, they came in one box rather than two, but that's understandable since it saves money. However, they put them in the SAME mesh bag with only paper and paper towels to separate them. Granted, Schneider skinks can be housed together, but one is definitely male and one is definitely female. I really do hope nothing too serious was taking place under those coverings.

    When we unboxed them, we videoed - and it's a good thing we did too. The top one was mine, Avalon. She's a younger adult, maybe about a year old. She's dark on top with yellow and orange flecks, but right on top of her head, she has a big ugly already-healed gouge where apparently she was once picked up by a bird of prey; but she managed to get away. It has healed on its own, and the discoloring around the wound proves she wasn't given treatment of any kind. Granted, these were advertised as being wild-caught, but no one said they'd be beaten and battered.

    But wait, there's more.   Laura's lizard, the second one, is a little bigger. It's a boy, and a little thicker than Avalon as well. He's darker on top and has fewer spots. He's missing his entire left hand! You can't know the shock we had when at first we thought Avalon had attacked him in the box. When we couldn't find the hand in the bag, and there was no blood, it was apparent that the lizard was like that when it was shipped. 

    OK, we're good with disabled animals - you may or may not remember why - but it would have been GREAT if they had just told us what to expect. MAYBE that's why they were as cheap as they were. They were only $39.00 a piece. Shipping them was $49.00, and that's very good for a Schneider (Berber) skink. I wrote to the place and let them know, telling them that they didn't need to omit the truth. They could have been forthcoming, and we would have still been OK with them. As long as they're happy and good-natured, which they are.  It's really hard to find a rude or mean skink; just so you know.

    I went online and bought Avalon her own enclosure, and we did the whole party thing at the house where we swap out tanks and enclosures to accommodate our various reptiles. We now have 2 cats, 4 dogs, and 6 reptiles -- Laura's three reptiles are all disabled in one way or the other. One has no left hand, the other two were missing their tails when she got them. PetSmart hunts her down to give her critters that they can't sell. She's a good disabled pet owner for sure.

    Well, that's about it. We have too many lizards now, but at least my office space will remain warm enough with all the lamps turned on during the day.  We were going to house the two Schneiders together, but nope...not if they're gonna be making babies! I draw the line at breeding. I know, I'm really mean like that, but you never know exactly how her guy Zuko could have lost his left hand - could have been because he got a little too frisky with another lizard back in Egypt, where they came from.  It's weird to think that these guys came from way over on that side of the world, but they did.

    Since Avalon is about a year old, I'll give her March 1 as her birthday. She'll be happy and love her new place for many good, fun-loving, basking years to come.

Photo Credit: Me.  This is Avalon the Schneider skink.

www.judestringfellow.com 

Three Fourths Done - Dion.

     My eighteenth book, a dramatic novel titled "Dion", is 3/4 of the way written. I've got about 65,000 words in now, and I'll see myself going heavier on this one than I did on the others. I could top 90,000-92,000 words as opposed to the standard 85,000 that I typically write. Where 5000-7000 words doesn't seem like much, it's a good two to three chapters longer; and when you're planning a book, you need to know these things.

    I'll no doubt have to go back and create a new cover for it because the cover I have now is made for a 360-page book, and this one could be 400. It's not beyond the pale to think that the book could be finished by April 18, but that's just the writing portion. I have the fluffing, the stuffing, the tweaking, the adding, and the subtracting of paragraphs, thoughts, and such. Then, I must go through it twice or three times to find the typical errors. 

    After I do all that, I'll read it again as if I've never read it before, to see if it flows. I'll make notes and changes, and then only then can I send it up to be printed. Even if it is on sale, it won't be released until around May 10-15, so I can order one real printed copy and go through one more time. I do that to be sure I've found as many mistakes as possible. Believe me, it still doesn't mean I'll get them all. NOPE...I found another 22 mistakes in "1211," and it's been out over a year now. GEEZ!

    Someday, when I have nothing else to do (queue the laughing video), I'll go back over every book I've ever written and make all the corrections I can. No, I won't, but it is a fantasy I have, so let me think I can be superwoman just once; thanks.  I don't mind making an error or two, but fifteen to forty can be disheartening when you look over your shoulder to see the Masters in English Literature hanging on the wall. Yep, it's true...I am too human at times.

    At least, I tell myself, I write. I do write, and that's a good thing. I try to do it well and correct it before it's published, but it will not be perfect. I don't know that I want it to be. It wouldn't be mine if it were. That's the #1 reason I don't hire an editor. I don't have a ghostwriter, I don't let people read and critique my books, or give me hints about what I should say - nope. I write. These are my books, and all the mistakes are mine too. I own them all.

    "Dion" means defender and/or to defend. It's Celtic, as are most of the characters in my book. It's a modern book, but it has ancient ties, tales, and stories relating to the past. Realism is real in the book, as is fantasy. It's a modern-day book with modern lingo, slang, purpose, and laws, but it does tend to reflect back now and again to the times when traditions mattered and laws were based on fact rather than the whims of this or that party. Some things deserve to be written in stone.

    Speaking of stone, Elle is just about ready to move out of the crypt she's been living in for about 12 weeks. She's been setting a precedent and proving her steadfastness to the nth degree; she's tougher than most expected. Of course, she's an American with Scottish blood running through her veins; what did they expect?  I'll let you know when it's out - but don't buy it until I tell you it's been through the wringer at least once or twice.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com  (defender)

www.judestringfellow.com 

Foodie! (Me!)

     If you know me, you should know that I am a huge grocery fan. I used to be a grocery store fan - you couldn't keep me out of them, but now, I really hardly ever go. I'll tell you why because I know you wanna know.  If I know one thing, it's that my readers are too interested in the crazy things I say - they really do want to know why I stopped going grocery shopping and why I only (or mostly only ) shop online for my food. Well, it's simple really.

    When I was living by myself, I didn't have the option of shopping online for groceries; that option wasn't available. I began going to this store for some items, but because I could get other things cheaper at another store, I went to that one for those particular items. Soon, I began going to eleven different stores because I could and because it made sense to save as much as I could. I got my walking in going from one store to another (the ones that were close to home), and I did the whole "I'll go when I'm already going to be out for something else" to get the items at a store further away. 

    Then, time went by, and the invention of the internet took over the world, and there it was - online shopping. It wasn't in my neighborhood, city, county, or state, but it was online, and I would pretend I lived in Chicago so I could shop online at Peapods and pretend to buy food. I did that so often that I became really good at it. I was a pro when Walmart and other stores started opening their stores for online orders. I didn't like the fact that they still made me go pick up the items, and more often than not, the food that they chose wasn't what I would have picked up - I stopped buying online for a good two years and dreamed of the day it would be perfected.

    ENTER...KROGERS!!  When we lived in Indianapolis, we always shopped at Kroger's. I loved that store. It was a little more expensive, but then again, if you bought Kroger brand items, it wasn't. I found out that so many Kroger-brand foods are made by the big names anyway, with the brand name changed on the packaging. Win-win!  Now, Kroger's has online shopping and delivery, so that's exactly what I do, and I do it literally on a nearly weekly basis now. I spend more than I would if I went to the store because I pay for the delivery and give a $10 tip every week. Overall, I spend about $45-50 more a month NOT going to the store but allowing others to do the shopping and driving, and of course, I pay a tip.

    Let's work it out -- the average American, according to three internet sources I looked into, spends $300-370 a month on groceries, and that's them getting in their car, driving to the store, shopping, driving back, unloading, and putting the food away. That's not how much they spend eating out, but just grocery shopping.  OK then, let's compare.  I have been going to Kroger since November 2024, nearly weekly. I added up all the orders I placed and divided them by the actual weeks, which, so far, has been 20. I get this: I average $450 a month for two people, not one! That includes the delivery charges and the tips.

    I'm not driving to the store in traffic or bad weather. I'm not fighting people who can't or won't shop with purpose, I'm not standing in line, or dealing with lines or people who don't know how to do self-checkout. I'm not putting up with the people I don't want to see or be around -- you know who I'm talking about -- those people who thump melons, reach for the boxes in the back, etc. I'm just sitting here on my computer, typing, waiting for the Kroger delivery person to shop for me, and to drive my food to me, and I'm doing it for less than the average American shopper! Another win!

    I get the full exciting experience of online shopping. I know for a fact that Kroger always picks out the best produce and/or product I want; it's been that way since the first order. I can HONESTLY say that in the 15 times I've had them deliver the food to me, only one (once) time has something been opened or broken open; and they refunded me immediately! It could not be easier or a better experience, and no, they aren't endorsing me. I just seriously love this way of shopping! No matter what I'm looking for, they have it. I'm not over the top crazy strange in my food loves, so I'm not asking for something that isn't normally found on their brick and mortar store shelves. 

    The Kroger warehouse is somewhere here in OKC. When I shop I take my time, I choose when I want it delivered; and I can save another $3 if I get it delivered around 2:00 or 3:00 on Saturday or Sunday, so why not? They have refrigerated vans! Rolling ice-boxes! Sign me up. They have coupons, good prices, and fresh everything, and if you go online and look, they have recipes! I don't go there, but I saw the link! I may go there. You can't stop me...nope, don't try -- it's a goal now. I'm going.

    Honestly, this is life. I truly, really do love it. I just paid $131.35 for food and $4.95 for the delivery. That's about average for every 10 days or so. I don't have it delivered every week, it's almost every week. It's about 3 times a month to be really honest -- So average? $405 monthly + $15 delivery, so $420 and then $10 tip, another $30 for the month. That's $450 a month for two people, or $225 a month for one. Dang! The thing is, we eat well. We are not skimping, don't hold back, get as much as we want, and eat well. We go out once a week too, and we feed dogs, cats, rats, and lizards, which are not included in the Kroger bill - except yes, I guess some of the lizard food is included; they eat salad.

    Overall -- perfection! I LOVE IT.  I hope you can benefit from it too. I don't miss the parking lot mayhem. I don't miss the people in line who can't move up when it's their turn to do so. I don't miss the cashier talking to me and messing up my order. I don't miss the crowds, the noise, the spills on aisle 5 -- and I do not miss the getting home and realizing that the cashier didn't push the milk to the conveyor belt so it didn't get packed. This has been a Godsend -- www.kroger.com  Give it a go. 

Photo Credit: Kroger.com

www.judestringfellow.com

She's (It) is Here!!

     So, like a dummy, I ordered a blue-tongued skink online without so much as asking what color it was, or what sex it was. All I saw was the "on sale" banner and snatched that puppy up before someone else could. BTS (blue-tonuged skinks) can go upwards of thousands of dollars if they are a certain color and/or fit for breeding. I am really NOT interested in showing my baby off for completion, nor am I wanting to make more of them, so the sale thing was huge for me. To get a young BTS for $149 was awesome.

    Of course, as I stated in my last post, it's rarely just the lizard that you have to buy. You need the enclosure, the bowls, the hides, the fake plants, lamps, a heat source, and UVB, as well as bowls for them to drink and eat out of. Don't forget the substrate to go on the bottom of the tank; yes, the huge tank can also be a bit expensive. I did the math, and the entire thing was around $700 after all was said and done - there's the shipping too.

    Cion made it! She was packed and shipped off; only staying in the box about 24 hours before being unboxed and immediately loved. She went into her mesh bag, packed with paper and stuffed into a regular box lined with Styrofoam, and then taped shut! OMG..there was no air really -- but I'm told that the Stryafoam breathes and there was enough air. The box was small. I was concerned, until I did a bit more research on it, and the great people at Backwater Reptiles assured me and explained to me just how safe it really is. I have to admit, I wrote to Abbey at Backwater Reptiles and asked her to teach me about such things - because to me, it was crazy! They did such a great job! They really know their stuff.

    Cion is about 5 months old. She's grey-tan with black stripes, and she has a beautifully curled blue tongue. I'll see if I can post photos when she's up to it. You can catch my Instagram, and that way you can see all the updates.   She arrived at 11:15 a.m. today and we immediately took her out and gave her a nice warm bath to restore any moisture she may have lost, and we made sure to hold her and keep her close to our chests for warmth too -- and let me just say, she loves me so much more than she loves Laura. I know this because it was ME she decided to release every drop of pee and poop she had inside of her onto ME...not Laura. She loves ME!

    You haven't lived until you're holding a little lizard and a gallon of "stuff" comes out of it - I had no idea skinks could do that - but I now know; I will never forget it either. I've had skinks, and I've had BTS before, but that was just such a kind and generous welcome gift. We really bonded in that moment. I was thinking of returning the favor, but didn't know if it would fare well in their culture. I refrained.

    We went straight out to Exotic Pets in OKC  and bought her a few things. Just for your information, the one BTS they had at the Exotic Pets store last month was $560, and she was 8 months old.  Cion is really happy in her 40-gallon, but she's young, and I know I'll need an 80-gallon tank in the summer. No worries, we'll keep the old tanks for new lizards. It works out perfectly -- waste not, want not; that's our motto.  Why, just today, we were walking through PetSmart, minding our own business, and buying a new tank, when the manager asked Laura if she wanted a free Crested Gecko -- what? Are you serious? It was missing its tail, and they can't sell it -- of course, Laura said yes, and there we were, minding our own business, buying another tank -- it's sort of a Catch-22. I can't take Laura anywhere.

    Cion is resting. She's had a hard first day traveling in the dark all the way from Hollywood, Florida, to Oklahoma. She's not sure she likes all the fuzzy faces staring at her, but she knows she's in good hands -- I don't know about you, but I tend to pick up my lizards and love on them -- not sure they love the singing, but I do at least try to stay in key.  She'll learn to love it -- they all do.

Photo Credit: Me.  Cion the Blue-Tongued Skink (5 months)

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