Sandra's Place

Writerly Wednesday

2026-06-10T00:30:00.000-04:00

What's your synonym, example or definition for:

Example: She's such a kvetch, always complaining.

AND

Did you know, women are less likely to be colorblind than men?

25 Amazing Science Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Ketch-Up Day

2026-06-09T00:30:00.000-04:00

How was your weekend and how is your week going?

We're doing fine on this end.

My blackberries are ripening. I'm so excited.

AND

We met a couple of buds at Village Inn for lunch. Yum. Have you ever been to one? They have a pizza buffet, a salad bar, soup, drinks and dessert. Very tasty and very reasonably priced.

I drive an '03 Mustang and one of the buds gave me this:

Simple pleasures:)

AND

A few Eternal Garden pics.

Froggy fighting his way through the garden forest:)

That's it for now, Blogger Buds. What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Have an excellent week.

Weekend Wishes

2026-06-05T00:30:00.000-04:00

June 5 is:

AND...

National Environment Day

National Moonshine Day

National Donut Day

and

National Janet Day

~*~

Enjoy it, Blogger Buds.

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

2026-06-03T00:30:00.000-04:00

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG

Hashtag: #IWSG

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for

June 3 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

That’s an interesting question. I’d have to say all over the place. I’ve written books around a particular book title I’d decided on, an unusual topic on the news, and movies and movie stars that inspired me. One of my books was written at the request of my brother. He was fascinated by an 1873 Model Winchester that was found in the Great Basin National Park leaning up against a juniper tree in 2014. How it got there was a mystery. Hence Geller’s Find.😊.

May/June Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

GIANT SHREWS FROM OUTER SPACE by Sylvia Kay Rose

SHREWS is another dark comedic, sci fi horror written in Rose’s uniquely audacious style. Teenager Claire Lawford and her mother Linda end up in the dying town of Abundance, Ontario when Linda’s car gives up the ghost. Unfortunately, the town’s residents aren’t particularly friendly to strangers and gouge Linda for everything she has, which isn’t much at this point. But that’s the tip of the iceberg for our heroines’ travails. The people in town are disappearing and being murdered in a particularly gruesome fashion. Now it’s up to Claire and her new friend Andy, that she meets while she and her mother are stranded, to save the town and its people. Throw killer shrews from outer space and ghosts from an abandoned mine into the mix and you have an entertaining read that’s hard to put down.

The characters are well-developed. The conversations are fun and engaging. And the world-building is first rate. I highly recommend it for readers that enjoy humor and sci fi intertwined with their horror or those that just want an entertaining, well told tale by an author who delivers.

Available at Amazon

HOMEPORT by Nora Roberts

An art expert—Dr. Miranda Jones—and an art thief—Ryan Boldari—find themselves joining forces when Dr. Jones reputation and life are on the line. This is probably my favorite romantic suspense by Nora. She delivers a strong romance interwoven with chilling suspense that will keep you reading. A must for Nora fans.

Available at Amazon

DIE TRYING by Lee Child

I’m a huge Jack Reacher fan. DIE TRYING is one of Child’s earlier Reacher novels and like the rest of the series, delivers. As usual, Reacher finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

When a young female FBI agent gets abducted, he gets caught in the net too. Unfortunately, the FBI thinks Reacher is one of the kidnappers and plans to deal with him according.

If you are a Reacher fan and haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend it.

Available at Amazon

LOST SISTER By MK Alexander

In Book 4 of the SEVEN SISTERS Series, Milo and his crew set off for the Lost Colony. A voyage from which no one has ever returned. The journey is filled with peril and unexpected challenges, along with a new birdman friend and a mechanical man, whose handshake dispenses Urchin worms. One obstacle after another is thrown in their path but they persevere until they finally arrive at the Lost Colony where they will face the greatest challenge of all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read and recommend it to anyone who loves steampunk sci-fi or a well-told tale.

Available at Amazon

THE SECRET OF SECRETS by Dan Brown

Dan Brown once again weaves an intricate, suspense-filled puzzle with his latest rendering. As with his other novels, there’re unexpected twists and turns when Katherine Solomon’s—Robert Langdon’s current love interest—manuscript on consciousness is stolen and destroyed, and people they know are being murdered. Once again Professor Langdon’s knowledge of symbols and codes will help him solve the mysteries of the murders and discover who has gone to such lengths to make sure Katherine’s manuscript is never published…and why.

Available at Amazon

AND

Did you know, the phrases: In a pickle, Green-eyed Monster, Dead as a door nail, All of a sudden, Off with his head, Night owl, Wear your heart on your sleeve, and Fair play all originated with Shakespeare?

For more information: 150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]

Ketch-up Day

2026-06-02T00:30:00.000-04:00

How are you? Is your week going well?

Here, there's a lot going on in the garden.

I went outside the other day and saw this:

That little dark spot beneath the tree is another baby Fox Sparrow. I went back in the house, came back out and he was gone. I went over and there he was under the grapevine, griping at me the whole time I was weeding, so I gave up and went to the flower area and started weeding again and he followed me over and started griping at me again...or so I thought. Turns out there's two of them. One is shy and one's an explorer. Hops all over the yard, following mom, falls down between the bricks then hops out. Then tries to hop up on the little fences I have around some of the flowers but no can do. Their wings are really short and again they have stubs for tails. They literally keep their parents hopping. In fact, the explorer may have popped under the fence. I haven't seen him today. I think I MAY have seen the original Baby all grown up. It was a fully developed young Fox Sparrow, but it still had a spot of gray on his wing.

The Robin is also nesting again, or another, very near the old nest. We've got frogs, chipmunks, squirrels and, of course, birds. Never a dull moment in the garden. Much entertainment for the cats on the porch.

AND

My brother, who lives in FL, encountered this guy on his bike ride the other day.

AND

Last but not least.

That's it for me, Blogger Buds. Ketch me up on you.

Weekend Wishes

2026-05-29T00:30:00.000-04:00

May 29 is National Snail Day

AND
Have a fun one, Blogger Buds.

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

2026-05-27T00:30:00.000-04:00

What's your synonym, sentence or definition for:

Example: Besides denoting a plot of land, erf is also a mathematical function.

AND

Did you know, while EXTREMELY rare, folks can die from laughing, often referred to as fatal hilarity?

For more information:

Death from laughter - Wikipedia

Ketch-up Day

2026-05-26T00:30:00.000-04:00

We're home! Our daughter recently had foot surgery so we went to Philly to spend a few days with her and the SIL. My job was to fill the squirrel, err, bird feeder. The regular-size squirrel shared the feeder with the birds. Not Mr. Chubby. After he was done eating, Mr. Chubby--shown below--just sat in the feeder, refusing to let anyone else eat. Bad, Mr. Chubby. Bad. Bad. Bad.

Harry and Holly's job is to keep our daughter company while she's laid up. As you can see, they take their work very seriously.

And then, we headed home on the Choo-choo. Our normally eleven hour trip was fourteen. Don't know what was going on there.

AND back at home:

Callie and Nori.

AND a Belated Happy Birthday to J.P. and Janet.

Okay, it's your turn. Catch me up, Blogger Buds.

Ketch-up Day

2026-05-12T00:30:00.001-04:00

I'm going to be offline for a week or two. So save up your news and catch me up when I get back.

Leaving you with a few Eternal Garden pics. See ya soon, Blogger Buds.

The frogs seem to like this spot almost as well as the birds.

Frank.

The grapes are growing.

As are the blackberries.

👋

Weekend Wishes

2026-05-08T00:30:00.029-04:00

May 8 is:

Though, I must say, mine are pretty well done with spring blooming by their day.

AND

To all the Moms on May 10:

AND

To all:

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

2026-05-06T00:30:00.044-04:00

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG

Hashtag: #IWSG

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for

May 6 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

May 6 question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers

Reviews from people who enjoy my writing inspires me.

April/May Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

HOPE RISES by David Baldacci

HOPE RISES is the second in the Walter Nash series.

While well-written, as all Baldacci’s books are, for me, it didn’t have that edge to it that the first one did. My complaint with the first one was the cliffhanger ending. While it may be trending at the moment, I really don’t like cliffhanger endings or feel they’re fair to the reader. I don’t mind an enticing ending that will make me want to buy the next one but I do want closure, not left hanging. My main problem with the second book was the ambiguity of the relationships. They just seem to drift back and forth. And the ending seemed just a little rushed and not quite as tight as some of his others.

But overall, a good read.

HER HEART by Mary L. Schmidt

A story of faith and love.

Sarah and her son Danny leave an abusive situation and renew an old friendship that turns their lives around.

Throughout the telling of this story, what shines through is the all-consuming love of a mother for her child and how that love factors into every decision she makes including whether to start over with a good and gentle man. Told from three different POVs, the story immerses the reader into the hearts and the minds of the characters.

Recommended as a treasured read for readers of memoirs and faith-based romances alike. Available at Amazon

I also reread several Nora Roberts this month, which if you are a Nora reader, I’m sure you already read😊 I enjoy her romantic suspense novels and feel she delivers on all levels. While the stories have a strong romantic element, they don’t smother the storyline or the suspense. She’s great at world building and creating strong characters and almost always delivers a great read.

I’m currently reading: LOST SISTER BOOK 4 by MK Alexander

Available at Amazon

and

THE SECRET OF SECRETS by Dan Brown

AND

Did you know, Mark Twain foretold his own death?

13 Little-Known Facts About Famous American Authors – Country Adventures

Ketch-Up Tuesday

2026-05-05T00:30:00.025-04:00

How is your week shaping up?

Nothing too news worthy here. Haven't made the NY Times Best Seller list. Haven't won the lottery. 😆

Momma, Poppa, Sibling Fox Sparrow and Mike and I have been keeping an eye on the baby. It looks like the only thing keeping him from flying is very short tail feathers. He hops and flutters around the backyard like a fiend. He's very vocal when he's hungry and mom is still feeding him so maybe he's not as old as he looks.

As far as I can tell we've got baby bluebirds too. Mom keeps sticking her head into the bird house with worms de jour dangling from her beak. And though I've never seen birds going in or out, there's stuffing coming out of the birdhouse out front. The little birdies have been busy:)

Totally off topic, has anyone tried Asiago rolls to make their toast with? It pairs well with pb and j 😏

AND

May's calendar pictures.

AND

The month long poetry challenge is over. Here's one last rendition from the HH.

Backwards

Paleontologists tell us

That birds descended

From small feathered dinosaurs

If that is so,

What grisly creatures

(Ones before the humanoids)

Did we emerge from?

Then again,

Considering the damage done,

Maybe there is reverse

Evolution at work

And we are the grisly monsters

Take special care, Blogger Buds. Inquiring minds want to know how you are doing.

Weekend Wishes

2026-05-01T00:30:00.007-04:00

May 1 is--yup, you guessed it:

AND

May 2 is--drum roll please--National Sandra Day.

(Thanks for that heads up, Jan.)

If interested in discovering your National Day just do a search of your name and National Day.

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

2026-04-29T00:30:00.005-04:00

What's your sentence, synonym or definition for:

Example: Most politicians tend to bloviate when airing their views.

AND

Did you know, an average cloud weighs over a million pounds.

20 Strangest Scientific Facts That Sound Totally Made Up

Ketch-Up Day

2026-04-28T00:30:00.010-04:00

How are you? Are you having torrential storms or, like us, in an extreme drought? We had a little rain Saturday and the birds were literally dancing in the street.

AND

More Eternal Garden pics

The baby Robin has already flown the nest. I saw a Robin yesterday carrying building materials. I don't know if it was Mom or Dad or a different Robin. If it was Mom, that bird needs a vacation.

Little black (green) berries.

The squirrel must have got interrupted burying his nuts since he left a couple behind and an unfilled hole.

Not the usual visitor to the bird bath.

And last but not least, a gift from the HH.

AND

Critter pics

Maisy

Louie

Callie

AND

Another Poem for the April Challenge from the HH. The prompt: Dog-eared.

Dog Ears

Dogs come with all manner of ears

Long and floppy

Short and erect

Ones that tip

My dog’s ears are

The short tippy kind

Usually forward and tipped

But sometimes flopped back

She can also extend them sideways

Looking like Dumbo about to take off

She can also do one flap down

Sometimes the right, sometimes the left

I am guessing there is

Some meaning to that

One thing is certain

She hears what she wants to

Kind of like people

That's it for now, Blogger Buds.

Weekend Wishes

2026-04-24T00:30:00.010-04:00

April 24th is:

And for those that have a Brandon in their lives and hearts it's also National Brandon Day.

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

2026-04-22T00:30:00.002-04:00

What's your synonym, example or sentence for:

Example: My brother is an noctambulist, always walking in his sleep.

AND

Did you know, until 2025 Iceland was the only country in the world without mosquitos?

60 interesting science facts about our incredible world | Live Science

Are there any countries with no mosquitoes? | Live Science

AND

Ketch-Up Day

2026-04-21T00:30:00.093-04:00

How are you? How's your weather? We are in the middle of a drought. I mowed Sunday. Pollen was flying like dust. Of course, I didn't think about wearing a mask till after I started hacking:) We desperately need rain. For those of you who are getting too much wet stuff, feel free to send it our way:)

AND

Pics from the Eternal Garden.

The blackberry bush. (See the pollen hanging on it?)

Pollen on the pavers and more in the grass.

The amaryllis and more pollen. Tired of hearing me whine about the pollen yet?;)

AND

This is so weird.....My onions started sprouting in the pantry.

AND

Maise

AND

The HH is in a poetry writing challenge this month and here is one he wrote yesterday:

When Words Appear

Despite plausible theories,

No one can really say

Exactly how words

Become available

Just when they are needed,

Nor why they hide so carefully

In the tall grass

Of our minds

Creating a thicket of frustration

When they don’t.

There’s such a slim margin

Between just OK words

And the magnificence

Of putting the correct words

In their places.

That's it for now, Blogger Buds. Been doing anything fun and exciting?

Weekend Wishes

2026-04-17T00:30:00.040-04:00

And my personal favorite: it's also National (Ford) Mustang Day.

Friday, April 17th

I'm over at Cowboy Kisses blogging on Gun Control in the Old West. If interested, stop on by.🤠

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

2026-04-15T00:30:00.026-04:00

What is your sentence, synonym or example for:

"Gardyloo," the Scottish maid yelled before she threw the slop in the pot out the second floor window.

AND

Did you know, alfalfa plants can grow roots forty feet long when on a search for water or moisture?

36 Plant Facts That Sound Fake But are True | FactRetriever

Ketch-up Day

2026-04-14T00:30:00.004-04:00

How are you? Have a good weekend? Your week going well?

AND

The Eternal Garden

Other than the garden pics, I got nothin. Pretty sparse pickins this week. See you, in the cyber sense, tomorrow.

Weekend Wishes

2026-04-10T00:30:00.002-04:00

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

2026-04-08T00:30:00.004-04:00

What's your example, synopsis or definition for:

Example: Everywhen I see that child, she's reading a book.

AND

Did you know, instead of a diamond ring, penguins give their future mate a pebble when they propose? Go figure. Maybe it's a diamond in the rough or a hidden gem:)

For more information:

145 Fun Facts About Animals That Will Fascinate

How Penguins Use Pebbles as Part of Their Courtship Ritual - Animals Around The Globe

Ketch-Up Day

2026-04-07T00:30:00.042-04:00

For those of you who celebrate, did you have a lovely Easter?

Ours was quiet, but very nice. Hope yours was as well.

Easter flowers and vase from the HH.

What did you do to celebrate the day?

AND

Can you find all four critters in the picture?

AND

The first irises of the season.

AND

Look I have baby grapes!

AND

Evening Garden Shots

AND

OMG. It's raining pollen. We've never had this much pollen!

AND

Here's the four critters. Did you find them all? If so great job. If not: They do tend to blend.

That's it for Tuesday, Blogger Buds. Have a glorious one.

Weekend Wishes

2026-04-03T00:30:00.009-04:00

Sandra's Place

Writerly Wednesday

AND

Ketch-Up Day

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Weekend Wishes

June 5 is:

AND...

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

AND

Ketch-up Day

AND

AND

Weekend Wishes

May 29 is National Snail Day

ANDHave a fun one, Blogger Buds.

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

AND

Ketch-up Day

AND back at home:

AND a Belated Happy Birthday to J.P. and Janet.

Ketch-up Day

Weekend Wishes

AND

AND

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

AND

Ketch-Up Tuesday

AND

AND

Weekend Wishes

AND

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

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Ketch-Up Day

AND

More Eternal Garden pics

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Critter pics

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Weekend Wishes

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

AND

AND

Ketch-Up Day

AND

AND

AND

AND

Weekend Wishes

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

AND

Ketch-up Day

AND

Weekend Wishes

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

AND

Ketch-Up Day

AND

AND

AND

AND

AND

AND

Weekend Wishes

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Have a fun one, Blogger Buds.