Act as if What you do Makes a Difference #SundaySnippets

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  -- William James

As writer I tend to think in scenes and storylines.  I know that every story makes two promises to the reader: an emotional one, and an intellectual one, since the function of a story is to make you feel and think.  However, there is also a beginning to each day, where I, as a human being, must function in the act of day-to-day living.

As part of this day-to-day living, I am very much aware of how actions, words, and attitude have either a negative or a positive effect on others.

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.

In addition, if you are aware of Native American Culture, the Lakota know that what you choose to do at any given time, be it a good deed or an evil one, the consequences of that deed impacts seven generations.  Seven generations!

This is why in both my writing and my living, I try to take the high road.  I am not saying I always succeed, but I at least aim for the target.

 I also strive to keep my characters in check.  Even when my villains do truly terrible things (Sister Enid to Tay in Whisper upon the Water), I show motivation and life events so that the reader understands why this event took place; but I never paint the behavior as acceptable.

Beginnings to a story should give the reader a person to focus on, yet in your life's story: you are the main character.

Look at some of the beginnings in your own life.  What have you learned, what stories do you have to share?

Ummm. . .what have I learned?  I've learned that gators can run. . .very fast.  I learned that on a family vacation to a South Georgia swamp.  While that did not make a particularly wonderful life event (especially at the beginning of the day), but it will make a great scene in a novel or short story.

I also strove to set an example.
1.  I did not scream as I ran. I prayed that my sons would not witness their mother being chomped on by a bellowing alligator.
2. I explained that my actions (going down to the water's edge) weren't very wise.
3. We discussed what we might watch for so the event was not repeated.
4.  After we left the swamp we stopped at a local eatery for fried gator tail. Yes, not taking the high road here.  We called it 'regional food' and left it at that!

If you have a moment or two, please download my Rodeo Romance Series:
Lynx (contemporary romance), Brede (romantic suspense), or my YA novel, Whisper upon the Water. 

Also, visit my friends and wonderfully talents authors:

Juliet Waldron

Trisha McGill

Dishin' It Out

Happy Reading,

Connie Vines

Creating a (Not So) Perfect Western Hero by Connie Vines

How Exactly does a writer create a Western Hero?

I thought I'd look at Hollywood's current take on what it takes to be a Western Hero in today's Wild West!

Since I have just started streaming Season 5 of  Netfix's"Longmire" on my iPhone, I thought we could take a good long look at Walt.  (Now I watched the show when it was on t.v (A & E). However, missed Season 4,)

Walt Longmire 

Fictional Character/ as he appears in the Longmire (the mystery series in print).

Full name: Walter Longmire

Species: Human

Gende:r Male

Occupation: Sheriff

Title: Sheriff of Absaroka County, WY

Spouse(s) Martha Longmire (deceased)

Childre:n Cady Longmire (daughter, b. 4/1979)

Nationality: American

Police career: 

Department: Absaroka County Sheriff's Department

Years of service: 1972–Present

Rank: Sheriff

History

A native of Durant, Wyoming (the county seat of Absaroka County), Walt attended the University of Southern California, where he played offensive lineman for the USC Trojans and graduated in 1966 with a degree in English literature. He was then drafted by the Marine Corps and completed boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and OCS at Marine Corps Base Quantico. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Division as a Military Police Officer, and served in country at Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the Vietnam War. He served in the Marines for four years, and earned, among other decorations, the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. After serving in Vietnam, Walt spent six weeks assigned as security at Johnston Atoll.

Upon his discharge from the Marines, Walt returned home to Wyoming where he was hired by Sheriff Lucian Connally as a deputy sheriff in 1972. Walt was elected as the Absaroka County Sheriff in November 1988 after Lucian all but threw the race and decided to retire.

Longmire as he appears in "Hollywood" screenplays:

Here is a Nextflix preview:

http://screenrant.com/longmire-season-premiere-5-review-netflix/

History

Absaroka County native Walt Longmire, born c. 1953, is the well-respected sheriff that resides there. When the series begins, it is believed by most that his wife, Martha Longmire, died of cancer.

His father was a rancher who managed the stables of Absaroka County's most wealthy family, the Van Blarcoms. He is a graduate of Durant High School Class of '81, and his football jersey still hangs in the school's trophy case.

In their 20s, he and Henry worked at Prudhoe Bay Oil Field in Alaska.

Walt has been the Sheriff of Absaroka County since at least 2005; his immediate predecessor is Sheriff Lucian Connally (Peter Weller), the uncle of Branch.

In 2010, Walt arrested Malachi Strand (Graham Greene), the Chief of the Cheyenne Reservation Tribal Police, for extortion; he also has an adversarial relationship with the current CRTP Chief, Mathias (Zahn McClarnon), although the two have a bond of mutual respect.

So what are the differences between the books and the TV series?

One of the key differences between the books and the TV series is the character's age and subsequent backstory. In the books, it is established that Walt is a college graduate and Vietnam War veteran, and has been the Absaroka County Sheriff since the early 1980s. However, no mention of college nor a military career has ever been specified or even alluded to on the show (although it hasn't been ruled out either), and Walt's age has been established multiple times, having graduated from high school in 1981 and having been friends with Henry since they were 12 years old, 38 years earlier.

In a significant departure from the books, Walt's wife Martha does not die from cancer. While she is still diagnosed with the disease, in the TV series she is murdered, the details of which are slowly revealed over several seasons, significantly affecting Walt's relation with his deputy Branch and the Connally family.

While the TV series portrays Vic as interested in Walt, her feelings aren't reciprocated like they are in the books. Instead, the TV series has Walt slowly recovering from losing his wife, unable or unwilling to maintain a relationship with a woman called Lizzie Ambrose, before finally showing enough interest in a member of the opposite sex to actively court Dr. Donna Sue Monaghan.

In the books, Absaroka County has seen five murders in 24 years. The TV series has seen 27 confirmed murders in the two first seasons alone.

In both the books and the TV series, Walt's friendship with Henry Standing Bear is significant but in the books Standing Bear is a person of physical strength, good judgement and moral character. In the TV show he is written to be  of great moral character but with more attitude than substance.

Personally, I find Longmire (Hollywood version) has become more of a believable hero from Season 1.  During the 1st Season he see to be a Western version of NCIS "Gibbs" complete with hating his cell phone and refusing to use it even in an emergency.  I've vacationed in Wyoming and an wonder where those cell towers are in 'Walt's World" especially during winter snow storms.

I would also like to see Henry Standing Bear be shown as a person rather than a "walk-on Native".

What do you think?  Does Longmire seem like the perfect Western Hero?

The Western hero is the possessor of physical strength, stamina, and an innate sense of the right thing to do; he rejects eloquence, refinement, and superior intelligence as standards of measure.

Yes. Walt fits the standard.  However, I'd wish that Hollywood would have let Longmire keeph is original backstory (change to Gulf War).  Having the retired high school football jersey bring to mind Al Bundy (Married with Children), not a Sheriff with a wealth of life experience and education to draw upon.

Still, the Wyoming country-side, and Robert Taylor are easy on the eyes.

Connie

Remember to stop at by and see what everyone else is talking about today!

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http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

Sunday Snippets #Sunday Snips

For today please enjoy another snippet from "Lynx" Rodeo Romance.

Rachel smiled.  Lynx wasn't at all what she'd expected.  Sexy, take-charge, Texas rodeo cowboy one moment, and charming, non-threatening date the next.  She didn't know what to make of the situation.

Or Lynx Maddox.

It was only the cologne, she reminded herself when Lynx leaned closer and pointed out the skill of the fiddle player--she always loved the scent of a good cologne.  Warm and musky.  Or, maybe it was his reputation that held such appeal--he was a rodeo cowboy.  Bull riders flirted with death and danger every day, and that alone could be a real turn on for some women.

Still she knew none of those things was the real reason she was reacting this way.

His heart-stopping green eyes were her undoing.  Weren't they?  But what about his smile?  she asked herself.  Heavens, he had a gorgeous smile.

Please hop over to to the other talented and read more "snippets"!  (I'm hopping over there right now!)

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

To purchase "Lynx", or my other books, click here:

To watch my book trailers, click here:  or here 

Connie

What Is Your Favorite Food?

Today"s topic:  What is your favorite food or meal? 

My favorite food?  I think favorite foods change as a one matures and evolves from life experience.

As a child I recall visiting my grandparents in Plainview, Texas.  The scent of sulfur from a match and the whoosh of the gas burner lighting, heralded the fragrance of biscuits, sausage, and fried eggs, over easy. A neighbor's clambake in Charleston, SC, when I had to stand on tippy-toes to see over the edge the table, provided my first experience salty-Atlantic smell of steamed clams and oysters.

As a teenager living in Florida, fresh-caught seafood, coleslaw and freshly squeezed lime was the food I enjoyed.  I also discovered a revulsion for both turtle soup and grits.   

As an adult, coffee at Cafe DuMonde, stands out as one of my favorite encounters with food.  

The breeze from the delta, the cool morning, a soft sunrise, and fresh benigns dusted liberally with powdered sugar, still makes me smile.  I believe food is always tied into social activities or memories of a special experience--this is what makes us include the food in family gatherings.

Turkey, of course is the celebrated food this time of year.  Often the leftovers are served as grandmother sandwiches, soup, turkey ala King, the possibilities are seemingly endless. While the remaining teaspoon or two of leftover jellied cranberry sauce is swirled in cream cheese as a frosting atop chocolate brownies.  

What is my favorite food?  The food that is so scrumptious that I am forever hooked?

That is a very tough question. SoCal offers avocado, vegan, and array of designer foods.  However, bowing to Texan days-- chili is one of my favorites. Served as an entree, topping a baked potato, or Baja-style on a garden salad with onions and cheddar cheese, I have a recipe especially for the crockpot (this is different from the Not-for-Sissies version featured in Lynx). And since I am a fan of (non-alcoholic) eggnog, I discovered an easy eggnog point cake recipe--both of which I will share.

Easy Eggnogg Pound Cake

1 (18.25 or 18.50 ounce) pkg. yellow cake mix

1 (4-serving size) pkg. instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix

3/4 cup Boren EggNog

3/4 cup vegtable oil

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon round nutmeg

Powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl, combine, cake mix, pudding mix, Eggnogg and oil; beat on low speed until moistened. Add eggs and nutmeg; beat at medium-high speed 4 minutes. Pour into greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan.

Bake 40 - 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Store leftovers covered at room temperature.

Homestyle Chili

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (lowfat)

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped green pepper

2 cloves of garlic, minced

3 cans (about 15 ounces each) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained.

2 cans  (15 ounces each) tomato sauce

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 to 3 teaspoon chili powder

1 to 2 teaspoons dry hot mustard

3/4 dried basil leaves 

1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

1 to 2 dried hot chili peppers

Cook and stir ground beef, onion, bell pepper and gRlic in large skillet until meat is browned and onion tender, drain.

Add beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes with juice, chili powder, mustard, basil, black pepper, and chili pepper.  Mix well.

Spoon into crockpot, cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Or 4 - t hours on high.  Remove chili pepper before serving.

Remember all of my novels and novellas include my personal recipes.

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/
http://mizging.blogspot.com/
http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

Vintage Perfumes: The Fragrances That Defined Each Decade by Connie Vines

Welcome to this week's Sunday Snippets!

Since my next BWL release is an anthology I'd thought I'd touch on a subject that is near and dear to my heroine, Persia Richmond.  A perfumer and perfumery owner of a shop in the French Quarter of New Orleans,   

And, I must confess, is a snippet of my past.  Having been a fragrance consultant at an exclusive fragrance perfumery, I too, share Persia's love of fragrances, art glass, and the art of perfuming.

Nothing can transport you back in time like a fragrance. They say that your sense of smell is the most powerful and evocative sense, and it’s true: Emeraude reminds me of my mother, Quorum my husband, and Halston Z-14 reminds me of my teens and guys who bathed in a cologne—rather than indulging in a spritz or two.

“A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” – Coco Chanel  

This may have been a dramatic overstatement, however, when I was in the business of selling perfume, quotes such as these, gave women confidence when she entered a room! And Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular fragrances of all time, a bottle of it is sold every 30 seconds (this includes me :-), too).  

Coco Chanel also stated that women should wear perfume wherever they hoped to be kissed. Wise words indeed – please note that this does not mean ‘layered’ in perfume, as perfume counter girls armed with spray bottles will advise you.  No one should be able to smell your perfume unless they’re that little bit closer than is polite, then it should be something delicious and intoxicating.

Whilst researching which perfumes were popular over the decades I was surprised how many of these I’ve actually owned. Over the years, I’ve tried Anais Anais, Shalimar, Opium, Poison, Red, and Patou 1000 before I finally settled on Chanel No. 5. Of course, I selected one of the most expensive perfumes on the market, but I guess there is a good reason why it’s been a bestseller since it was launched in 1921!  

Vintage Perfumes: The Fragrances that Defined Each Decade

It’s surprising how many of these perfumes are still best sellers even now, but then why would they go out of fashion?

Popular Perfumes in the 1920s.

Chanel No. 5, launched in 1921, was an immediate success even though it was the preserve of the rich at this time.  Famously worn by Marilyn Monroe, the square bottle design was rumored to been inspired by the design of a whiskey decanter.

Guerlain’s Shalimar launched first in 1925. It is one of the most popular fragrances of all time and was said to be inspired by Mumtaz Mahal, the women for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The perfume was named after the Gardens of Shalimar in Lahore, Pakistan, which were also built for her.

Popular Perfumes in the 1930s.

Tabu by Dana Fragrances which were popular in the 1930s included Tabu by Dana (a sexy evening perfume), which was launched in 1932 and Je Reviens by House of Worth, both of which remain available today.

In 1934 Elizabeth Arden developed Blue Grass.

Perhaps the most notable perfume of the 1930s was Joy by Jean Patou, voted Scent of the 20th Century at the Fragrance Foundation FiFi awards in 2000. It was created in 1929 (the year of the Wall Street Crash) and even though it was marketed as ‘the world’s most expensive perfume’, it was a huge hit. It is also considered to be one of the greatest floral fragrances of all time.

Popular Perfumes in the 1940s.

L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci (in a pretty glass bottle with a bottle stopper fashioned as two doves). After the war lighter and fresher perfumes became more popular, one of which was the still-popular Miss Dior by Christian Dior in 1947.

Popular Perfumes in the 1950s.

Femme de Rochas was a rich, sultry perfume aimed at the femme fatale created in 1944.

Arpege by Lanvin is a floral romantic perfume, created in 1927,  but became particularly popular during the 1950s.

Max Factor’s Hypnotique and Primitif (as advertised by Jean Patchett above) were popular and an affordable perfume for the masses compared to the fragrances by the big fashion houses.

Soir de Paris by Bourjois was a popular fragrance amongst teenagers during the 1950s. It was discontinued in 1969, but relaunched in 1992.

Popular Perfumes in the 1960s.

Oh! de London by Tuvache, YSL Rive Gauche was a popular 1960s scent Hubert  de Givenchy created L’Interdit for Audrey Hepburn and she wore the perfume for many years before it was released to the public in 1957. She featured in the adverts for L’Interdit throughout the 1960s.

Tuvache’s Oh! de London is a bright sparkling scent which perfectly captured the mood of the swinging sixties.

Guerlain introduced the heady oriental scent Chamade in 1969.

Popular Perfumes in the 1970s.

Charlie by Revlon and Diorella by Christian Dior, a perfume for the independent woman who has everything, were both very popular.

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, launched in 1977, and was a heady, rich oriental evening perfume.

Christian Dior released the classic perfume Diorella, which combines citrus and musky notes.

Anais Anais by Cacharel, launched in 1978 and was an immediate hit (my brother gave this to me as a Christmas Gift).

 Did I list one of your favorite perfumes?

Or, perhaps a fragrance you’ve never dared to try?

Perfuming is an art.  Indulge your senses, enjoy the fragrance—it’s mystical, it’s magical, is the new you:-).

Happy Reading,

Connie

Please stop by and visit my fellow BWL authors and friends' websites.

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

Sunday Snippets! #1/31/2016 #Sunday Snips

Welcome to Sunday Snippets!  I, along with the members of this weekly Blog Hop, will be sharing snippets from one of our stories.


From "Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow":

He promised to be gone come morning, but obviously, he wast still there.  Oh well, maybe fixing breakfast was just his way of saying thanks.

She put on a robe, shoved her feet into a pair of fuzzy pink slippers and advanced into the kitchen.  Pale winter sunshine was clinging to the edges of the living room window and she could hear Viktor whistling tunelessly as she crossed the floor.

"Morning," she said.  Viktor looked up at her with a smile.  She was happy to see he looked less travel-weary  He shaved and was neatly dressed in acid washed jeans and a faded red-plaid flannel shirts. A momentary feeling of tenderness swept over her.  No one labeled him a fashion slave that was for sure.  "Sit down," he said, "It's ready."

She eyed her plate, filled with protein--of the non-vegan form.  Had Viktor known she was no longer vegan, or was it only a lucky guess?  She didn't dare broach the subject.  Her life had become such a collection of secrets.  Once upon a time her life had been uncomplicated, and she was happy.  Glancing at Viktor, she wondered if he was happy. . .

Please stop by and visit these wonderful authors and enjoy their snippets, too.

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

Bookswelove Author, Connie Vines 

http://www.amazon.com/Connie-Vines/e/B004C7W6PE

Happy Reading,
Connie

Actors and Others for Animals by Connie Vines #Sunday Snippets

Like many of us, I love animals.  I also participate in local community events to benefit children, animals, and to promote literacy.  One such event was held on October 17^th.

The Grove Theatre (donated venue and stage crew) held an evening of entertainment, "Upland's Got Talent, A Furry Fun-Raiser," hosted by Jo Anne Worley and Fred Willard. Ms. Worley, Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In", is the Singing President of Actors & Others. 

 JoAnne Worley’s instinctive comedic timing and irrepressible laugh, and stage presence impressive. She, as well as the other members (actors and others) donate their time.  Local vendors donate baskets filled with goodies, gift-cards, and expensive recording and video equipment for the raffle items.  The event included a wine and cheese pre-party.  While the billboard poster and the marquee promised lots of laughs, singing, dancing, surprises and magic!

I had a wonderful evening.  The pre-party was awash with laughter, lively discussions, and enthusiast introductions.   JoAnne Worley spent time interacting with the audience and selling raffle tickets from a woven basket.   After she opened the show, we were treated with Michael Skrzek, tap-dancer on Broadway, recreated Gene Kelly’s fancy foot work in the movie,  “Singing in the Rain”.  Jay Johnson & friends (Tony Award-Winning Duo), Fred Willard and his Sketch Comedy Troupe The MOHO’s, Sherry Kinison and many others gave standing-ovation performances.

While I belong to this non-profit origination, you may find a similar organization in your local community.

 About Actors & Others

So, what exactly is, “Actors and Others for Animals’?  We all know Betty White has supported this non-profit agency for decades. How did it begin?

 Date:  1971 .  Place:  On one of Los Angeles’ busy freeways. The late actor Richard Basehart and his wife, Diana, watched in horror, as someone in the car ahead of them tossed a dog out of the car window to a grisly death. Both Richard and Diana were animal lovers and very aware of the daily cruelties that so many animals endured. Their shock and outrage that day motivated them to gather fellow actors and members of the community together to work to stop such inhumane treatment.

In 1971, our objectives were to provide proper care for and prevent the inhumane treatment and destruction of animals. The common belief of the day was to simply rescue and adopt. Then branched out into other services (including obtain assistance with vet. bills). By 1979, the services were provided throughout California.

To find out more about Actors & Others, click http://www.actorsandothers.com/

JoAnne Worley selling me raffle tickets!

I never expected to win!  I shared the bounty with family, friends, and co-workers.

Do you have a charity dear to your heart?

Drop  comment or two and tell me about the good-works being done in your city or neighborhood.

Happy Reading,

Connie

Remember to visit the other excellent writers participating in this week's Sunday Snippet Blog Hop.

BTW:  Visit one of my links to purchase one of my novels!

BWL publisher's site
Smashwords
Overdrive
iBooks

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http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/

Sunday Snippets #10/11/205

Welcome everyone for this week's Sunday Snip from "Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow".

(Continued from last week!)

In hindsight, perhaps she should have been extremely concerned.  Because the next thing Meredith knew, shes was in a zipped body bag, feeling entirely not like herself.

No., She wasn't going to dwell on the past.  Again. She'd just kept muddling on with her life and try to focus on the bright spots.

Pippa and her family were a definite bright spot in her life.

"I wish you would let me help with dinner," Meredith said, pulling herself back into he present. "I feel guilty just sitter here doing nothing while you do all the work." Being a vegan, Meredith found her transition into zombie-hood, particularly exigent.  Brains, human or otherwise, had never been on her menu--now, protein, fowl or bovine form was a requirement of her reanimated state.  Difficulty thought it was, she had to come to terms with the change.  After discovering an underground support group who met monthly in a banquet room of a coffee shop near I-10, she was thankful she didn't. . .

I hope you have enjoyed this week's snip.  Please visit these author's sites to read their snippets, too.

Connie


Here are a few links to my novels and "Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow"!
Overdrive Books
Amazon.com 99cent sale! Yay!
iTunes and iBooks
Barnes and Noble and Nook 

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http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/

http://authorjamiehill.blogspot.com/