Ending the year on an up-note

cj Sez: December 1, 2025, and my yard is just about flooded. Over the last four hours, we’ve had more than three inches of rain in my neighborhood, and the forecast is for more tomorrow. We’ve been in a drought for a few weeks, so this deluge will definitely help. The rain-to-snow calculator on Google says “Typically, 1 inch of rain is estimated to equal about 10 inches of snow, but this can vary based on temperature and other atmospheric conditions. In some cases, the ratio can range from 6 to 18 inches of snow for every inch of rain.” That equation makes me kind of happy I’m not living in a snowy state.

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Real life:

  I’ve acquired a new name: “Great Grandma.” My granddaughter Johanna gave birth to sweet Rosalie today. I’m anxious to meet her.

Reel life:

  I was hopeful I was going to put the final touches on my novella (I’ve got a cover designer working on ideas), but today I tore out an entire exciting scene, 1,146 words gone with a poof. I’ll have to start working on replacing all those words . . . maybe tomorrow, or maybe I’ll just give it another rest.

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Wordsmithiness

  I love words (especially those I make up). I love the definitions, spellings, usages, inferences, and the syncopation of sentences. Here are some words I recently ran across.

  Mantel refers to a shelf above a fireplace, while mantle refers to a cloak or covering, as well as metaphorically to roles or responsibilities. They are distinct words with different meanings despite sounding alike.

  Do you know the difference between “hang” and “hung” and when to use them? A May 21, 2025, article by Samantha Abernethy on Word Smarts says: 

English is full of tricky choices: Is it “peak” or “peek”? (“Peek” is a quick look and “peak” is the top of a mountain.) Or is it "pique" (to challenge or arouse). Should you use “compliment” or “complement” when giving someone praise? (Compliment.) When it comes to “hanged” vs. “hung,” though, there’s only one very specific usage for the former. Both are acceptable past-tense versions of the verb “to hang,” but they are not interchangeable. The word “hanged” is grammatically correct in only one context: when referring to an execution by hanging. For example, “In the Old West, outlaws were hanged at high noon.”

In all other contexts, “hung” is the correct choice. Think of this line in the classic tale “The Night Before Christmas”: “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.”

  I leave you dear visitor with a link to the Word Smarts website which is a wonderful source of information. https://wordsmarts.com/

What I have read:

SHE HAD TO DIE

Book 2 of the Hugo August Detective Series 

My Review: 

  Rebecca Barrett’s latest Hugo August novel, She Had to Die, is more than a murder mystery. It’s an exposé of people who will go to any lengths to hide indiscretions and preserve illusory reputations. If you’re not familiar with Hugo’s section of L.A. (that’s Lower Alabama to the uninitiated), you soon will be. Barrett’s descriptions of people, places, and things are spot on, as are the clues, red herrings, and plot twists that make this story an enjoyable 5-star read. 

Buy She Had to Die now

What I'm reading: 

  Susan Yawn Tanner’s A DANGEROUS HOMECOMING, book 3 in The Bellamy Legacy Series. 

  I love the beginning of the blurb: A few words can upend a person’s world. It’s a routine day at the office for Jade Bellamy when the second note arrives . . .  and am looking forward to finishing the book.

Buy A Dangerous Homecoming now

Books, the gift that keeps on giving

Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes: A heartwarming holiday memoir collection filled with nostalgic childhood memories, uplifting family traditions, and comforting stories that celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.

  The anthology is still available—on Dec. 1, the Kindle version was 99 cents.

  My story, “Dancing With Daddy,” is a favorite and precious memory written under my maiden name, Marilyn Olsein. I’ll be reading an edited down excerpt from the story at the December meeting of the Mobile Writers Guild. I will probably cry again.

Buy Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes Now

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  Okay, that’s it. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for  happy and safe days for you and yours.

cj

  My fast-paced thriller novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, are available on Amazon or through your favorite e-Tailer and bookstore.

  Nota bene: Angela Trigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  

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Just a reminder: Lyrical Pens blogs for readers and writers is now a monthly blog. I’ll be aiming for the first Sunday in the month, but it might wind up being a Monday, so watch for it please. That said, thank you for stopping by Lyrical Pens today. I really do appreciate you . . . and you . . . and especially, you.

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