Karen Shanley - My Life as a Writer, Mom, Dog Love

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Hitting the Dusty Trail
2009-09-20 08:00:00
I’ll be leaving in a few days to head out for another Walkabout to spend time in my belonging place. It seems every so many years, it’s just something I need to do. To get out and spend time in a natural landscape that speaks to me. That’s partly because I live in a landscape that I would not choose, if I had a choice — Upstate New York, in the Adirondacks. It’s not that there’s not lots to love about the area. It’s just that I do best with lots of big open space. And lots of sky. And hardly any trees. Because trees, you see, where I live in the Adirondacks, close in space and create walls and tunnels and corridors and barricades to broad sweeping views and… well you get the idea. There are so many trees where I live that I have to admit that at times I find it downright claustrophobic. Where I’m going, there aren’t enough trees to create walls or tunnels or corridors and broad sweeping views are the order of the day...
More About: Life

My Writing Tools
2009-09-13 07:48:00
I’ve been writing since I was eleven years old, when I wrote my first book. I first started writing in my father’s old Air Force writing kit. I’d just replace the notebooks after I’d filled them. When I’d finish writing a story long-hand, I’d type up the final version. (I was probably the only eleven-year-old back then who had her own typewriter.) The tools have gotten more sophisticated over the years. Being the tech geek that I am, I had one of the first home computers when they came out in the early 80’s. Back when they were still big, clunky machines that often crashed just for the heck of it. Back before the internet was widely available, when research still meant a trip to the library. Back when printing out a manuscript meant tearing each piece of paper, page by page, off one long perforated ream, after the painfully slow dot-matrix printer had finally stopped clattering. I’ve progressed through the years all the way up to my cu...
More About: Tools , Writing , On Writing

Times Have Changed. Or Have They??
2009-09-06 17:39:00
I grew up in the country where there were many more animals per square mile than people. There were no cell phones, no internet, and certainly no malls or McDonalds dotting every corner. Essentially, there was no instant gratification. During summers, especially, we kids had to learn to be resourceful if we wanted to get together and have fun. Otherwise the specter of boredom loomed large. I’ve always lived near and loved the water. So, of course, one of the first things I bought myself when I’d saved enough money was this. Granted, she was used and had seen better days… But she still had a lot of sea-worthy miles left on her. I practically lived on that thing during the summers. And there were always plenty of willing friends only too happy to play first mate. Over the years, I’d taught many a friend the finer points of sailing. But wait… that’s not me!  Who are these kids zipping back to shore? Could it be…? Like mother, like daughte...
More About: Times

Pure Voice, Pure Love
2009-08-30 08:39:00
Michelle O’Neil over at Full-Soul-Ahead! is someone I very much admire.  She knows I’m nuts about my dogs and sent this to me. I hadn’t seen it before. Maybe you haven’t either. Though I’m not conventionally religious, something about the pureness of gospel singer  Wendy Francisco’s voice in this song just moves me. And the lyrics…, well, see what you think. Click here to view the embedded video. Leave A Comment©2009 Author Mom with Dogs. All Rights Reserved.
More About: Voice , Love , Pure

Latest Lyme Disease Info and Treatment for Dogs
2009-08-23 21:04:00
Cait’s little boy hasn’t been feeling so well. Feverish, tired and achy, all Wink wants to do is rest quietly. It’s sad to see this normally effervescent little guy so under the weather. (Though, in a day or so, he should be back to his normal self because he’s been started on Doxycycline, the antibiotic of choice for Lyme.) Wink has been unlucky enough to contract Lyme Disease . I say unlucky because once a dog is infected with Lyme, it can never be fully cured of it, at least at the present time. Let’s hope that changes in the not-too-distant future. Since I live in an endemic area, and every dog I’ve had since living in this house (going on two decades) has become infected–despite my best efforts–I’ve made it a mission to keep up with the latest research and effective protocols. For the Cliff Notes Version (continue reading after this section if you’re interested in more in-depth info below) First! Statistics indicate th...
More About: Dogs , Info , Treatment

Stick THAT in Your Happy Box!
2009-08-16 17:54:00
Having recently gone through a growth spurt, Cait was in need of some new clothes. So off to the Mall we went.  We always concentrate our efforts in this one particular store, because we always have good luck finding cloths that fit and that Cait will actually wear. The tradition is to make our way around each department — shoes, pants, tops, etc.– until, at the very end, we come to the fancy dress section.  This is where the fun begins. You see, Cait has always loved playing dress-up and still does.  So the first time we came upon the glittering racks of evening wear, she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. When it didn’t occur to her that there was anything wrong with “just trying on the dresses,” I squashed my initial impulse to say no and instead said, “Sure, why not?” She had a blast, and I must admit so did I. Ever since, we’ve always saved time for the gowns and party dresses. The rules are that she’s allowed to ...
More About: Nature , Recipes , Happy , Stick

I Can See! I Can See!
2009-08-09 08:39:00
It’s miraculous! I can now see without needing to have two pairs of glasses on my person at all times!  Sing it with me now! Hallelujah! To what do I owe this miracle? A marvel of modern invention. Yes, we’re talking contacts. I don’t know why it took me so long to do something about it, but I finally went to the optometrist and asked what my options were. As happens to most of us after we pass the age of 40, I’ve become both near and far-sighted, and so need glasses for both close up and distance. So — the options…  I could keep doing what I’d been doing for the last several years and continue to switch back and forth between glasses.  I could pay a lot of money for a pair of progressive lens glasses. But with the way I lose glasses, I thought that not a prudent choice. So I decided to opt for something different. Like one of the many versions of multifocal contact lens.  I tried the contacts and had no problems getting them in or out,...
More About: Life

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