HELP! I'M DROWNING IN NEW TV SHOWS!!

I don't know about you, but this September I made myself a solemn promise NOT to watch any more TV than I can possibly hold on two (2!) DVR's.  There isn't enough hours in the day for viewing EVERYTHING I'd like to try. 

After a full day of writing, and Facebooking, Tweeting and blogging, I'm ready to hang up my keyboard and vegg out in front of the boob tube.  Forget my soap opera --I've been faithfully watching for 30 years - I can't squeeze that one in anymore.  So I tape it, then scan through different storylines.  You know what they say about soaps, you only have to watch once a week, to know what's happening. Things do not move rapidly. My proof - the stars on the show don't have wardrobe changes but once a week, usually.  Which means that one week in human time = one day of soap time!

My die-hard favorites, I can't do without are:

Castle  - how could I not? He's a writer!

Dancing With the Stars - hasn't gotten old for me. I smile the entire time I'm watching

The Mentalist.  Love the premise of the show and the characters.  Cute star in Simon Baker.

Hawaii Five-O - love the remake, McGarrett and Dano solve crimes in landscapes to die for. Again cute star and co-star.

Modern Family - I'm in awe of the comedic writing!  I love to laugh out loud with this one.

Parenthood - Really grabbed me last season and I love that family, quirky as they are!

.

Justified - simply can't wait for the new season to begin. Gritty, gorgeous and compelling!







I have given up on some due to lack of time and creativity (sorry to the fans of these shows)

Grey's Anatomy

The Biggest Loser

Private Practice

Two and a Half Men ( I might give it another try.  Love the supporting cast, miss Charlie's character)

Desperate Housewives  (trying to hang on for the final season)

Trying New:

Terra Nova (Avatar, Land of the Lost and Jurassic Park all in one! I'm a Jason O'Mara fan since Life on Mars)

Unforgettable - Interesting premise

Up All Night -  the jury's still out on this one

So what about you?  What shows are you loyal to? What shows disappointed you this season and which new shows are you enjoying?

MONDAY INSPIRATION

IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER

 I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.


I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.


Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.


 'Hello Barry, how are you today?'


 'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'


'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'


'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'


 'Good. Anything I can help you with?'


'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'


 'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.


'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'


 'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'


 'All I got's my prize marble here.'


 'Is that right? Let me see it', said Miller.


'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'


 'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.


 'Not zackley but almost.'


 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.



 'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller

 Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.


 With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.


 When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.


 I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

 Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

 Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes..

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

 They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

 'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'

 With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

 

*****

We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...

 An unexpected phone call from an old friend.... Green stoplights on your way to work....

The fastest line at the grocery store....

A good sing-along song on the radio...

 Your keys found right where you left them.

My CAT...My trusty companion, my sidekick!

Skittles is always by my side.  In the picture she's waiting for me to start writing. She knows my routine.  

Luckily, right now, she's sleeping up on the desk. But when she gets frisky, she likes to play with the keyboard.

I get {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{  or  """"""""""""""""on my work in progress when she's too fast for me.

Sometimes, she swats at my hands to make me stop what I'm doing and pet her. (She is a devil)

See, she has a sidekick too.  A little Mini-Me of herself!!

What's your pet up to these days?

My Baby Connection and a Giveaway by Charlene Sands

Okay, so I'm a little early, but I love my December cover sooooo much!  Hunky cowboy and adorable baby...does it get any better?   Yes, there are horses in the background too!! 

Stop by Petticoats and Pistols today to read about what I have in common with this cover!!

I have a giveaway over there too.

http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com/

WHAT PETS WRITE IN THEIR DIARIES!

(With special thanks to my cuz, Maria, for sending this to me)

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity...
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.

However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.