Karen Shanley - My Life as a Writer, Mom, Dog LoveKaren Shanley - My Life as a Writer, Mom, Dog LoveAuthor, Karen Shanley, shares her quirky and insightful views on life as a writer, mom, and owner of three dogs - one Australian Shepherd, one Border Collie Mix, and one dog in a Maine Coon cat's body. Articles
Angels Come in Many Forms
2009-08-02 12:48:00 Early this morning, around 2 a.m., I was awoken by incessant barking coming from downstairs. Not an altogether unheard of occurrence at our house, with so many wild animals engendering great interest as they traipse through our ten-acre kingdom. Boy, was I never so happy to be roused from a sound sleep! I got up to check on where the missing Graidy was. As soon as I hit the upstairs hallway, I was bowled over by propane fumes. I got a towel to cover my nose and went downstairs to find Graidy standing there barking at the stove. One of the burners without a pilot light was turned on. It must have been on for several hours. After opening all the windows and doors, and checking everyone’s breathing, I was very happy to still be alive with my family safe and quietly sleeping. Chalk one up for the Graidster! Leave A Comment©2009 Author Mom with Dogs. All Rights Reserved. More About: Angels , Forms
Painting the Air
2009-07-25 07:12:00 This one?s for my dad, who died twelve years ago today. There?s an expression: ?You can?t paint the air.? It means nobody can do the impossible. I think my grandfather might have made it up. I?ve never come across it anywhere else, so I?ll give him credit for it. He was a painter by trade, and was known to say this often to his son, my father. As a first generation immigrant of Irish and English heritage, shaped by the Depression, he?d trot out the line whenever he thought my dad was getting uppity ideas about life. Nope, life was hard, you worked hard, you drank hard, and then you died. At least in my grandfather?s version. My father would prove his father wrong on more than one occasion. In fact, his life would become a study in air painting. One of the first times I recall learning how to paint the air with my father, it was actually quite literal. I was eleven. My parents had just bought a 300-year-old house. There wasn?t a lot of money in those days so we all pitched in on the ... More About: Life , Painting , Best of
Come Sit for a While
2009-07-19 17:36:00 And let your cares float away on the wisps of whispering breezes. Works for me every time. Leave A Comment©2009 Author Mom with Dogs. All Rights Reserved. More About: Nature , Recipes
Seeking ?Smart Dog? Stories
2008-10-26 07:28:00 Hey guys, want to make your smart dog famous? I’ve been contracted to write a book that will include stories about how dogs demonstrate their intelligence. I’d like to include a story about your Doggy Einstein if you’ve got a good one. If you think for a moment, I’ll bet you can recall several stories. To ... More About: Stories , Smart , Seeking
Nine
2008-10-16 08:09:00 Where has the time gone? How can she be nine years old? It was just yesterday that she came home with me. She has been Cait’s best babysitter. Guardian of the gardens. Protector of the flock. My right hand girl. My soul mate. I cannot imagine life without her. Her smiling eyes compel me to leave the past and future in the ...
I?m Over at PetDoc?s Today
2008-10-09 15:41:00 PetDoc has a terrific web site and blog for pet lovers, chock full of health news, behavioral and training tips, and interesting editorials and interviews. Today , I’m the featured guest and you can read the interview here. While you’re there, stick around and read these interviews from two of my good blogging buds. Jen’s SacredPaws interview and ...
Considering a Dog From Rescue? Note to Adopters
2008-10-09 08:01:00 Having recently written about how to find a dog from a breeder, I wanted to give equal air time on how to find a dog from rescue or shelters. I’d like to start with this piece written by a rescue person, from the Best of Craigslist. Note to adopters Lassie, Cleo, Rin Tin Tin and Toto don’t show ... More About: Rescue
Breaking My Own Rule
2008-10-06 12:40:00 What’s that saying…? Never discuss politics or religion. It’s a rule I’ve pretty much followed, because I’ve found that I’ve never (not even once) experienced an enlightening conversation on these topics in mixed company with opposing views. Too often, it just gives people a chance to sharpen the points on their own arguments and justifications without really, ... More About: Life , Breaking , Rule
On the Cusp
2008-09-29 01:46:00 I’m beginning to get whiplash as I watch my daughter speed past on her way smack-dab into teenage-dom. Before too long, she’ll be thirteen. And she can’t get there fast enough. I am almost daily reminded of this in one way or another now. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that this realization often ... More About: Life
All-ee All-ee In Free
2008-09-21 02:05:00 –or perhaps more aptly, All-ee All-ee Out Free I’m in one of those “if there’s a problem, solve it” modes. With four animals in the house now (outnumbering the humans) I have to admit that I’ve been feeling a little under siege lately. Between worrying about Finn dashing out the door every chance he gets, and dealing ...
In the Market for a Dog? Know the Code
2008-09-15 13:34:00 One of the breeds that made it to Cait’s short list was the Papillon. With a little more research, it wasn’t long before the cute little Papillon got crossed off. Why? The Code . What is The Code, you ask? It’s the positive spin breeders put on their breed descriptions, endorsed by the AKC. And, I believe, it’s a major ... More About: Market
What Are You?
2008-08-31 17:15:00 With a bushel of ripe tomatoes sitting in my kitchen, there was only one thing to do. Get busy making spaghetti sauce. I put Cait on garlic and herb chopping duty, while I dealt with the tomatoes. I love having Cait help, not just because the work gets done faster, but because Cait likes to talk while ... More About: Life , Recipes
Signs
2008-08-22 17:23:00 Fall is in the air. No need to look at the calendar; there are signs everywhere. Harvested at the end of July, my garlic has dried enough to cut, clean, and store. One drying screen almost done. One more to go. Seed saving begins for many of my lettuces and leafy vegetables. This is Chinese Cabbage. Tiny little things, aren’t they? This is one plant’s worth. I like to collect enough seeds to also have some to trade on Seed Savers Exchange. Some captured sunshine coming into full bloom. Cait likes to grow these. Our birds like that Cait likes to grow these. Then there’s the baking, canning, freezing. These loaves won’t last long enough to freeze. The ones still baking in the oven will. With four varieties of tomatoes, there’s been lots of good eating. And there’ll be lots of sauce and sun-dried tomatoes to take us through the winter. And last but not least, what more clear sign of Fall is there than this? Except perhaps this. More About: Signs
Awwww… vs. Awe
2008-08-15 00:57:00 Wink has been with us for three weeks now. He is as sweet a dog as I have ever come across. He’s so cute and cuddly and full of love that everyone who meets him can’t help but say, “Awwww…” And then they can’t help but pick him up, for which they’ll receive a tiny face bath for their troubles. Friends have threatened to slip him into their coat pockets and steal away with him. His mere presence makes grown men make silly faces and cooing sounds. Like a helpless baby, this puppy brings out the nurturing, protective side in everyone who lays eyes on him. Yes, that even includes Andrew. Don’t tell him I’ve told you, but more than once I’ve seen him laughing out loud at Wink’s adorable antics. He even scoops Wink up to hold him on his lap. This is the power this little dog holds. Interestingly, I’ve discovered, it’s not the kind of power that holds much sway over me. It’s not that I’m immune to Wi...
Leaps of Faith, and the Difference Between Vanity Presses and “Legiti
2008-08-09 21:00:00 Last night, Cait came running into the kitchen, screaming. Heart pounding, I raced in from outside to see what was wrong. She’d just hung up with one of her best friends, who’d called to say that she’d just received an offer from a publishing house to publish her first children’s story. This friend of Cait’s is the kind of kid that you’d wish for good things to happen to. She’s a wonderful girl who doesn’t have the easiest of lives and always tries her best with a smile. Her dream (at 13 years old) is to be a published author. So you can imagine how I felt when upon hearing this news my stomach sank. I immediately had a bad feeling about it and my gut isn’t often wrong. Unfortunately, it wasn’t wrong this time either. Offering to take a look at the contract to check it over for her, I quickly saw the reason for my misgivings. Tate Publishing (the house that had “accepted” Sarah’s submission) would be happ... More About: Faith , Vanity , Difference
We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming –
2008-08-02 13:26:00 – To cook up all this zucchini. This is one week’s worth. You’ve seen Monster Trucks. How about Monster Zucchinis? Actually, it’s just one of my seed zucchinis from which I’ll save seeds for next year’s crop. I’ve shared two of my favorite zucchini recipes here. This is another family favorite. ZUCCHINI FRITTERS 3 c. coarsely grated zucchini 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 tsp. flour 1 tbs minced garlic Salt and black pepper, freshly ground Olive oil for pan frying Grate the squash and squeeze out excess water. Mix dry ingredients and toss with zucchini. Whisk eggs and incorporate into mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Batter should be moist but not runny. Pan fry in small fritters in a bit of olive oil. Cook just until golden brown. These can be kept warm in the oven for a bit before dinner. Be sure to cover. Serves 6. More About: Programming , Interrupt
Devotion
2008-07-27 14:59:00 One of the main points Cait listed in her treatise on why she wanted her own dog was that she wanted to get to experience the kind of love and devotion that Kiera and Graidy have for me. I’d say she’s well on her way. More About: Devotion
Life Not Crazy Enough for Ya? Add a Third Dog.
2008-07-17 17:12:00 I think it was John Lennon who said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Well “life” sure has been happenin’ around here. Not least of which is that I’ve somehow been roped into adding a third dog to our crew. It all started when Cait began making serious noise again about wanting her own little dog (emphasis on little). Having zero interest in adding a third dog, I told her to take it up with her father, because I was absolutely, positively certain that he would categorically say no. The matter would be over and I could continue on my merry way, having dodged a bullet. And then that “life” thing stuck its finger in my ear. Cait came running into my study with tears of joy. It seems my best bud, my love, my comrade-in-arms, my non-dog loving husband (whom I knew I could count on to say no) said yes! I went searching for him to see if he’d suffered from heat stroke. He met me in the hall with ... More About: Crazy
Zucchinis or Squashes Setting Small Fruit? Absence of Bees May Require Han
2008-07-09 10:49:00 More than the economy is falling on hard times these days. A potentially huge problem is looming for gardeners and food growers everywhere. I just had a friend share with me that, in her area, zucchinis aren’t setting full fruits. So I checked my plants and , lo and behold, found some developmentally challenged zukes in my own garden. Confirmed in newspapers and online sources, many zucchini and squash plants are setting miniature or quickly rotting fruits. The reason? The decline of the honeybees is limiting the number of pollinated zucchini. This is because all squash plants (having a male and female flower) require outside aid for pollination to occur. There is a relatively easy solution for the backyard gardener and small grower — attracting more bees and/or hand pollinating. For the small gardener, hand-pollinating is the quickest way to ensure this year’s crop. So how does one hand-pollinate zucchini (or any squash)? Read on. Zucchini Fail to Set Fruit Prop... More About: Small , Bees
Garden Progress and Yummy Swiss Chard Recipe
2008-07-05 02:16:00 It’s been about a month since I planted my garden. Here’s how it started. Here’s what it looks like one month later. What a little sun and rain will do, when you start with good dirt… Without a wide-angle lens, I can’t get the whole thing in. But you get the idea. So far, we’ve enjoyed Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, the usual lettuces, peas, snow peas, beets, all kinds of herbs (most of which I dry for use throughout the year), and all kinds of berries. Forget the birds and rabbits. With dogs who like raspberries and blueberries as much as the humans do, it’s hard to collect enough to bring in the house. We usually just stand out in the berry patches and chow down. The only reason these are left is because they’re not fully ripe yet. So far, the rabbits have enjoyed most of my edamame and some of my bean plants. But they’ve left everything else alone. Zucchinis and green beans are almost ready. Hot weather crops (tomatoes, peppers, e... More About: Garden , Recipe , Yummy , Progress
Want to Write a Book that Sells? Start With an Outline
2008-06-29 16:19:00 From the mailbag: Hannah writes: I’ve been writing a novel and have been stuck for weeks. That’s my pattern: I write a little, get stuck, have a breakthrough, write again, etc. It often feels like torture. I’m wondering if you also have this problem and if you’ve found a way to overcome it. I’ve read that it’s a good idea to start with an outline, but doesn’t that work better for non-fiction? For fiction, it seems like it would clash with letting my story tell itself. Dear Hannah, there are writers out there who feel they work best without an outline so as not to “inhibit the flow of their muse.” But they’re in the teeny tiny minority. Almost all writers would tell you that sitting down to write a book without an outline is a little like trying to build a three-story house without a blueprint. You can do it, but the the cost in mistakes and time wasted may be substantial. Most writers work from a chapter list and outline... More About: Write , Book , Start , Outline
Longest Day of the Year
2008-06-22 18:56:00 The summer solstice is the day of maximum sunlight hours, bringing the longest day and shortest night of the year. I’d like to think we put it to maximum use. As usual, Graidy greeted me at 4:50 a.m.by jumping up on the bed and licking my face until I woke up. Next to me on the floor, was Kiera on her dog bed. Finn was perched on the open window sill, twitching at every birdsong. The furry contingent and I made our way downstairs and outside for the first morning’s call. Then it was back inside for a quick breakfast. With coffee and computer, I got to work at my little makeshift office outside on the deck. There’s nothing I love better than watching the sun rise, the birds sing, and the day come to life. The early morning hours are my time to write. I’d made good progress, but couldn’t figure out where a couple of my pages had gone. Once the sun had come up, I could see that they’d been scattered around the yard by two common forces of nature arou... More About: Longest , Year
Warning Labels
2008-06-07 20:36:00 On a recent, rather hot evening, Cait and I were waiting in the air-conditioned car while Andrew went to get everyone ice cream cones. We’d all just finished hitting a bucket of golf balls at the driving range. Andrew, interested in getting Cait good enough at golf to become a golfing buddy, had been trying to ... More About: Funnies , Labels , Warning
Garden Experiment 2008
2008-06-01 20:18:00 With the cost of food skyrocketing, and the prices of organic produce off the charts, my garden experiment this year is to work toward growing enough food to feed my family for the year. Matron of Husbandry over at Throwback at Trapper Creek was the one who inspired me. This year, I’ve more than doubled the ... More About: Recipes , Garden , Experiment , 2008
A Writing Life
2008-05-23 13:42:00 I haven’t needed an alarm clock for years now, because I have two furry ones. Today, it’s 4:10 AM, a little early even for me. Graidy usually has the decency to wait until about 5:00 AM before rousing me out of bed. (Another quality people should be aware of when getting high energy/herding ... More About: Life , Writing , On Writing
Dog Chew Treats ? Safe or Unsafe
2008-05-14 20:24:00 All puppies and most grown dogs have a need to chew. While both Kiera and Graidy were chewers as puppies, Kiera could take or leave a bone or chewie now. Graidy still lives for them; he needs to chew. Perhaps your dog falls somewhere in the middle. Regardless, no doubt, at some point we’ve all ... More About: Safe , Treats
The Normal Thing to Do
2008-04-28 02:28:00 Having grown up with animal-filled farms abutting our property, and adding to that our own four-legged menagerie, I learned early to keep a weather eye for all animals. And I learned to step in and do whatever needed doing, because the consequences of ‘not doing’ could mean death for an animal (and injury or death ... More About: Thing , Normal
Spring Has Sprung
2008-04-20 15:35:00 It’s that time of year. The weather’s warming. The birds are nesting. The garden’s calling. Cold weather crops are well underway. Seedlings are put outside for a few hours a day to start hardening. When they all come back inside, there’s hardly a flat surface free. Time to seriously think about the benefits of a small greenhouse. Also time ... More About: Recipes , Spring
A Worthwhile Idea
2008-04-01 07:56:00 Still swamped with writing but just wanted to share this. I think it’s a wonderful idea. But check out the link and decide for yourself. Hello, My name is Kari and I’m writing you with the hope that you’ll let your readers know about GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com, a new fundraising tool being used by supporters ... More About: Idea
?Mad Hatter: No wonder you?re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slo
More articles from this author:2008-03-07 06:07:00 That’s me these days. The faster I try to catch up, the hurried-er I fall behind. Too many projects and not enough clocks running two days slow. So, it’s getting to be that time again… Time for another intermission. In the meantime, what was it that sign said on the doorknob? Ah, yes… ?Doorknob: Read the directions ... More About: Watch , On Writing , Days , Late 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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