All of John McCain's horses are dead!

3 more days!

I've been looking over all of McCain's propaganda, and I've noticed that he's beating a lot of dead horses:
1. Abortion rights: Like it or not, this is an issue that will be decided in state and federal courts.
Abortion issues don't really have a place in this campaign. Even if the Republicans managed to install Supreme Court Justices who lean toward the Conservative Right, I've read that history shows they don't always vote the way they're expected to. Abortion is a problem we're going to have to work out step by step. there's no use spinning our wheels over a problem that won't be decided on November 4th.

2. The war in Iraq: John McCain has a lot of bravado about winning in Iraq. He'd better be quick. From what I've read, the Iraqis want us out of their country by January first.

3. Terrorists: The terrorists the McCain people keep yapping about have also been funded by John McCain on different projects to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In this case, there isn't even a dead horse. It's just Republican hysteria being broadcasted because they don't want to address the real issues.

If you're still undecided, I hope you'll ask yourself:
1. Which candidate has shown the best judgement? Even Republicans have questioned McCain's judgement for picking Palin (and more).
2. Which candidate has shown the best leadership? With McCain's total lack of leadership, this may be the dirtiest, most untruthful election in Republican history. This is not the man to bring us together.
3. Which candidate has shown the most intellect? McCain has been all over the place, like a chicken being chased by a space ship.
4. Which candidate has surrounded himself with the best, most qualified people? McCain, like Bush, has consistently picked old croonies to advise him. The same good-ole-boys who got us into our mess in the first place!

These next 4 years are going to be critical for the survival of our country. We've got a lot of work to do. Let's start out with the best, strongest, most intelligent, and healthy team we can.

Obama/Biden in 2008!

Please forward this blog to your friends...

(Janelle Meraz Hooper is an author. Information about her books can be found on: www.JanelleMerazHooper.com)

Sent by email: Alec Baldwin was talking about the Spice Girls (a musical group), and commented that Sarah Palin was Bible Spice. So, does that make McCain Old Spice, I asked?

"Fasten your seatbelts..."

4 more days!

I had a request to post the link for that hateful video, but I won't do it for two reasons:
1. It would just spread more hate.
2. I think it may even be illegal. We have laws against spreading racial hatred...and doesn't sending something over the Internet count as crossing state lines?

I don't know why I'm worried--I've already voted. Let them send me to The Big House.

David I could use your insight on Tuesday night. I wish you were here, although I don't see much of a party in my future. I'm frazzled, and focused on seeing Obama doing something to get us back on track. I'm going to buy your book, but I can't handle it right now. Too much stress!

Also, I'm not dumb. I can see the future. It's going to be rough. Not only are we going to have to cinch in our belts and learn to live on less, but The Republicans are already plotting to destroy Obama politically.

On top of all that, I go back to my comments over a year ago: we can no longer trust our government to take care of business. We're going to have to ride them everyday. I'm thinking maybe we can make a schedule and take turns.

We have to learn to live with the shame of Bush, restore this country's integrity, get green, and do more than our share to help the needy in the world. I figure we have a big, big debt to pay. Oh, and somewhere in there, we have to work so we can take care of our families.

We are so broke I don't see how we're going to fix our infrastructure, provide health care, and put everyone back to work. Everything sounds so easy during campaign time, and too many people are still heavily into denial about our position. This is no time to be worrying about lipstick on pigs!

In short, whoever wins is going to need a lot of help. Hopefully, we'll start off with a strong leader (Obama)--that will help. But he and Congress can't do it all.

Quote du jour: "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride." (All About Eve)Joseph Leo Mankiewicz (spoken by Bette Davis)

Please forward this blog to your friends.

I write books too! Read sample chapters:

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I'm done with Republicans.

5 more days!

I'm done with Republicans. I know I said that for the first time months ago, but I mean it this time. The world will have to run out of chocolate before I ever vote for another Republican.

Why? Because too many of them are mean, nasty people who send me the most outrageous hate emails. That's bad enough but, yesterday, someone sent me a video that was so racist I couldn't force myself to watch the whole thing. Zipping off a hateful email takes a lot of hate, prejudice, and stupidity. But what if the people take the time to write a script, cast, film, edit, produce and distribute hate? How deep is that hate? How racist? How sick? How unpatriotic? How careless? How just plain stupid is that?!

Last week I complained about the lack of intellect in the Conservatives' materials. Then, I was puzzled by all of the editorials and emails in the "pigs with lipstick" category.

There's nothing puzzling about the meaning of this latest wave of propaganda from the far right. Their intent is impossible to misunderstand. They don't deserve to live in this country.

Folks, this stuff is just plain dangerous. And it should be criminal.

Please forward this little blog to your friends. Time is short!

I write books too! Read sample chapters:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

Barbara West

7 more days!

Barbara West, the newscaster from a television station in Orlando, Florida, is non-repentant and smug about her interview questions to Joe Biden yesterday. I guess it's easy to feel comfortable without your integrity when you're already wading in a GOP cesspool, and everyone in it stinks as much as you do. I tried to watch the whole interview on the Internet, but I started to gag and had to bail out. I assume the whole interview was there--I'll never know!

Wiser intellects than she have already said that what Obama wants to do is not Marxist, yet I keep getting emails about Marxism and communism. I guess it's all they've got. That and that email about Obama not having a birth certificate. Mercy!

As long as she stays at the tv station she's at now, I guess she'll be okay, but I don't think any reputable broadcast station would hire her.

If you've been reading this blog and enjoy it, please forward it to a few friends. It's my little gift to Obama and our country. It ain't much, but it's all I've got!

I write books too! Read sample chapters:

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8 Days! Vote!

8 Days?!

Can that be right? Hopefully, you're registered to vote. If not, please check and see if it's not too late.

My emails were close to 2,000 so, over the weekend, I had to delete most of them. I had kept all of the hate emails, lie-emails, and impending doom emails in case I needed them for this blog. As I looked at them, I was struck by one common denominator: the lack of intellect. People sent me the weirdest stuff! And they must have believed it because they copied everyone between me and Abe Lincoln. I would send people pieces written by constitutional experts, newspaper editors from our largest newspapers, excerpts from learned professors, etc. And what did I get back? Long emails about pigs with pink lips! Gimmee a break!

I actually went in search of the opposite view on my own, and found the same junk. And I'm still waiting for that October surprise the Republicans threatened to reveal. The GOP is famous for last minute dirty tricks--watch for them.

Note to robo-callers: You can take my name off your list--I've already voted.

If you've been enjoying my blog for Obama, please forward it to your friends.

I write books too! Read sample chapters:

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Obama and his plane

11 more days

Is it just me? Am I the only one who doesn't want a politician--any politician--on my plane? Flying is hard enough nowadays. The last thing I want is some secret service agent frisking me every time I get up to go to the restroom. And I'm old. I get up a lot.

I know there are other, more logical reasons for Obama to fly his own plane. I'm just saying...

Let's focus instead on his grandmother. I hope that poor woman lives long enough to see her grandson become president. She deserves that much and more. Glass ceilings aside, good mothering and grandmothering is the most important thing we do for our country. On Inauguration Night, I plan to raise a toast to Obama's grandmother and say, "Look what you did! Good job!"

If you've been enjoying this blog for Obama, please forward the link to your friends. Time is short--eleven days to go--please help me do my part for a great leader. Our country sorely needs one!

I write books too! Read sample chapters on:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

In October: Wanda the Witch stories

Sarah Palin's wardrobe

What?! Have we solved all of our economic and foreign policy problems and, now, we’re ready to move onto Sarah Palin’s wardrobe?

This is the one area where I have some sympathy for The Alaskan Snow Dummy. Who of us would have a wardrobe to fulfill her appearance requirements with The Old Gray Goose at the last minute?

And as for the huge amount of money she spent, I think we have to factor in the reality that mid-market department stores don’t do alterations, much less last-minute alterations. Besides, bargain-shopping is very time-consuming. And time is something Sarah Palin doesn’t have because she’s so busy prepping for all of those television interviews she does (tee-hee).

So, let’s give Sarah a pass on her wardrobe. Dressing to go out in public isn’t easy. Even when I have to dress for a book-signing at the local library, I end up with a pile of clothes three feet high on my bed. (Does this sweatshirt make my butt look big?)

Read my books! they're much better!

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

(new Halloween stories on the homepage)

Are we being blackmailed by McCain?

Why does McCain keep saying he knows were Bin Laden is, and he knows how to catch him? If he really knows, why doesn't he just tell us? If he isn't elected, will he keep it a secret?
Or, maybe Palin saw him when she was looking at Russia out her back door...

Of course, one of my earlier theories was that we don't want to catch him, for fear he'll spill too many beans about what we've been up to...that man knows a lot about how we operated in Afghanistan.

Myself, I'd like to hear what the man has to say. I'd believe him before I believed Bush.

"Ain't ya got no shame?"

Well, if John McCain's lips are moving, he's lying. I don't know how much more I can stand. When I was a kid in Oklahoma, my grandmother used to shake a finger at us and ask, "Ain't ya got no shame?" She would have her hands full with McCain. The Gray Goose and his Alaskan Snow Dummy have made history.

Quote du jour:
On Sarah Palin: "There's less of her than meets the eye." Martin Sheen

Read sample chapters of my books:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

I've also posted two humorous Halloween fillers on my homepage

fifteen little old ladies

It said on the news yesterday that about 15 little old ladies beat up some young men in their 20s yesterday at a Palin rally. They were chanting and holding up Obama signs and were rewarded with a black eye and other injuries. Now, that's just wrong. Violence is never the answer, and we cannot condone it.

But, if the young men were mine, I'd have to ask, "What were you thinking?" and I'd advise, "Next time, stand across the street!"

visit my book site:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

read samples of my novels in large print

Get the jam out, Momma!

Oh, dear! Well, McCain is getting closer. During the debate last night he said he wanted to give us a $5800 tax credit so we can go out and buy our own healthcare. That's $800 more than he offered us last time. Still, though, it's a long way from the $1200 or more most of us pay.

And did I hear him belittle "health reasons" for granting women's abortions? He said something like, "That can mean anything." But get the transcript and read it yourself. I'm afraid I'll barf on my keyboard.

I think it was a slip when he said he was sure any Supreme Court justice candidate who was qualified would not be in favor of Roe Vs. Wade. Again, check it out yourself. I am not a journalist. I just hear things.

I'm betting he's sorry he ever asked about Ayers. Never ask a question you don't already know the answer to...

Get out the jam, Momma. The man is toast!

This was the last debate, but if you haven't had enough, the complete transcripts can be found on http://www.mydebates.com/

If you are ready for a political break, read chapters from my books on:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

In October, I've also posted two humorous Halloween fillers on the homepage.

Alaska has more people than Delaware? NOT!

©2007 Joyce Stevens, Pumpkin art

Chris Matthews (MSNBC Hardball)- I had the hairdryer on yesterday, so I didn't catch the name of the Lying-Republican-of-the-Day, but when Chris asked him if he thought Palin was ready to be vice-president, he said, "Yes! She's been a governor of Alaska for two years (I'm paraphrasing here) and Alaska isn't Delaware, you know, it's a big state!"
Well, according to my Google, Delaware has a population of 783,600 and Alaska has a population of 626, 932. It's not a big lie, but it rankles me that they think they can say anything and we'll swallow it. Or maybe, they're playing with us. Alaska does have more square miles--do they want us to think Mountains vote?

But what really matters is that the Republican Party is not the party I grew up with. It is now mean, nasty, greedy, war-loving, and eaten up by the fungus of the extreme religious right. Under Bush, they have trampled our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and they are expanding presidential powers at an alarming speed. I repeat what I've said before (quoting Reagan), "Freedom is just one generation away from extinction."
That's the real danger in this election. McCain doesn't want to talk about it, though. because telling the truth didn't serve him well, and he has learned his lesson.

I'm glad this is the last debate. I don't think I can take much more of the Loose Goose.

Quote dujour:
"The Democrats just want my money, but the Republicans want my money and soul."
email contributor

Read chapters of my books & Halloween fillers:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

Obama can!

Obama Gets it done!

Well, the members of McCain's campaign are whining that they can't control what their crowd shouts out during McCain's and Palin's speeches. That's just poor leadership!

Obama showed them how yesterday when, during one of his speeches, someone called out something inappropriate. Quickly, Obama said, "We don't need that." And the crowd quieted down. Immediately. Then he said, "What we need to do is vote." (Cheers!) That's how it's done, if you're really a leader.

I made a graphic for this morning, but my Google software wouldn't post it. I'll try again later. I guess everyone is blogging for Obama today!

I write books too! Read sample chapters here:

http://www.janellemerazhooper.com/

Short, Halloween fillers on my homepage in October

Wanda the Witch Hits Wall Street

Wanda Hits Wall Street
Janelle Meraz Hooper

Wanda was hot under her witch hat. It was bad enough that the crooks on Wall Street had stolen her retirement account, but their greedy screw-up was going to cause a case of trickled down economics at its worst. Parents everywhere announced they were going to have to cinch in their belts, and the first thing to go was the trick-or-treat candy. Well, Wanda didn’t blame them. She’d just been turned down on a loan for one of those new, hybrid brooms. It was Wall Street she had it in for, and she developed a two-part plan to get even.

The first part was easy. She provided Halloween candy for all of the world’s children, even in countries where Halloween wasn’t celebrated. She figured even if they didn’t celebrate Halloween, they would know how to celebrate a pocketful of candy. She paid for the candy with the petty cash the stockbrokers had hidden in secret bank accounts. That done, it was time to move to part two of her plan.

Right at midnight, Wanda flew into Wall Street with her fat cats and instructed them to leave deposits everywhere. On the carpets, on the desks, and in the fancy espresso coffeepots. Then, when the cats were done, with a wave of her wand, Wanda multiplied the deposits by 34.5%. That was the exact percentage the investors were charging for home and small business loans. Their golden parachutes she turned into fool’s gold, their retirement packages vanished into the crisp October air. Their trophy wives began to look like their first wives. As a final touch, the Halloween candy on their desks was exchanged for a special blend that gave the investors a permanent case of the green cherry quickstep. Then, on the way out the door, she waved her wand and permanently sealed the doors to their executive bathrooms.

Ah, it was a good night’s work. But it was over too soon. Wanda moved onto Washington, D.C.

Happy Halloween, Everyone! Oh, if it were only so!

I write other, serious stuff, too. Books, even. Read samples on my website:

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

We're first in line!

And beyond! courtesy of Buzz Lightyear.

Moose and Goose are still at it. I'm wondering if I'll make it through another debate with the Great Snow Goose lying through his "patriotic" feathers.
During the last debate, I was yelling at the TV screen: "You dummie! You can't get health coverage for a family for $5,000 a year." How out of touch can he be? And THAT was before I learned he was going to tax that $5,000 before we ever got it. Have mercy. When he says Country First, he means we're first in line to get screwed.

By the way, has anyone seen Hill and Bill?

When this is all over, I'll be glad to get back to my regular blog. Remember when we used to talk about books? TV? DVDs?

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

read sample chapters of my books on my website:

A Three-Turtle Summer

As Brown As I Want: The Indianhead Diaries

Custer and His Naked Ladies

Free Pecan Pie and Other Chick Stories (mixed genre)

coming in 2009: Bears in Hibiscus

Moose and Goose, 15 minutes of shame

Moose and Goose-I am literally sick of these two. I'm so glad their 15 minutes of shame are about up. I'm even starting to look at Cindy with new eyes. What's with her? How can she stand behind McCain and smile while he's lying? Does she want to be first lady that bad? Does she love power more than her country?
And what about all this Country First stuff?
Is lying putting our country first?

Is hiding his cancer with makeup, hoping we won't notice putting our country first? That cancer isn't that far from his brain, you know. I'm not being mean. We have to talk about this. It's time to get real. The welfare of our country is at stake.

Was saying he was going to Washington to fix the economy, then doing nothing once he got there putting our country first?

One of the last insults, when he said he was turning the page on the economy, was just too much. He doesn't care about us. He doesn't care about this country. He just cares about himself. SHAME!

Watch the debate tonight!

A rattlesnake that winks

The 2008 VP Debates--Don't be fooled by the folksy, jovial woman you saw on TV last night who seemed to be continually searching for something in her mouth (her gum?). Listen to what she said: "I'm thankful that the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies..."
Sarah Palin has not yet been elected, and she is already looking for ways to increase her power. Be afraid, John McCain, be very afraid. Just because a rattlesnake winks doesn't mean it won't bite.

Quote du jour:
" Freedom is just one generation away from extinction." Ronald Reagan

McCain's chunky butt

McCain, get your little chunky butt

on that debate stage tomorrow night.

There is no free ride to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Get off my TV!

© Janelle Meraz Hooper, 2007

Wall Street crisis—So, how does it feel to owe at least $7,000 more than you did last week? That’s just an estimate. If you’ve ever gotten an estimate for car and home repairs, you know how far off an estimate can be. I say, throw them all out, the Republicans and Democrats. Then what? I don’t know…ask Sarah Palin. She knows it all.

My computer printout says we‘re short about 2676.4 trillion. The two biggest debts are owed to Japan and China. I got an email that explained it this way: China has one of our balls in its hand, and Japan has the other.

What do you think we can say now about lead in our toys from China? Toxins in our food? What if they get mad and call the debts? What then? We are no longer in a position of power.

On my TV:
An ad for Morgan Stanley. Below their banner, it said: World Wise. Yeah. Right. Get off my TV.

On NPR radio: “This is a disaster. It may be manmade. But it’s a disaster nonetheless.” Unknown caller

Quote du jour:

“No one can earn a million dollars honestly. “ William Jennings Bryan

Custer and His Naked Ladies
Have ya read it yet? Read sample chapters of all my books on:
www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

Taking a bite out of Republican tootles

© Janelle Meraz Hooper, 2008

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Obama and Biden are finally taking bites out of the Republicans' tootles. At last! I hope they keep it up!

You may be wondering why a Hispanic/Anglo has a Buddha on her woodstove. The connection is the children crawling all over Buddha. And the beautiful execution of a ceramic that may be a Chinese version of tourist tradeware, but it is a joy to look at. I have a growing collection of ceramic people from all nations. Native Americans have a version they call "The Storyteller"; the little doll has children crawling all over her. She's next on my list.

Quote du jour:

"Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them." Lily Tomlin

Have ya read it yet?

Custer and His Naked Ladies

http://www.janellemerazhooper.com/

Alaska's Snow Dummy

©Janelle Meraz Hooper, Alaskan fishing floats

The Republicans--they do it to us every time, and every time it works. How dumb can we be? For how long? By inserting Palin, they have moved the focus from their bad candidate and their unacceptible doctrine to their Alaskan Snow Dummy. And we have allowed it.

We must force the focus back onto the issues: the war, the economy, healthcare, abortion rights, education, and the rest.

Forget Sarah Palin. Don't get sucked in by the Republicans and Rove again.

Quote du jour:
“The biggest lie you have been told is that you have no power to change the world, but the biggest secret is why, when you realise this, you don’t get up off your backside and do something about it.” David Southwell, Secrets and Lies (David is British)

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

Sarah don't know her Mac from a Big Mac

Dick and I in Alaska

Dick and I spent time in Alaska--We loved it there.

Sarah Palin has to make herself available to the press. We have a right to know what she believes in. The fact that the Republicans are protecting her so much really worries me. Just how dumb is she? Say, on a scale of one to ten?

Quote du jour:

"Just how many times do you have to be hit over the head before you figure out who's hitting you?" Harry S. Truman, courtesy of Keith Olbermann

www.JanelleMerazHooper.com

You can't win an occupation

fantasy cover

Don't look for this cover in bookstores. It was just me and a digital camera fooling around. I still like it, though. The actual cover of my new novel was done by a professional...that's why they get the big bucks.

Sign from the Republican Convention--This got lost in my notes:

You can't win an occupation- Think about it...

The only quote of John McCain's that wasn't same-o, same-o:

"Education is the civil rights issue of this century."

Overheard conversation: It's no trick to balance the budget in Alaska when oil is $140.00 a barrel."

Quote du jour:

"Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong." Richard Armour (courtesy of Brainyquote.com)

http://www.janellemerazhooper.com/

I'm done with the GOP

Janelle with a good read

Now that both political conventions are over, life can return to a more near normal pace. I like to listen to everyone, and I found this year's Republican Convention entertaining. However, in the end, it all sifted down to the same old crap.

Change? What change? They just offered more of the same:

More war,

More division

More backwards, redneck philosophy against sex education

More lies

And I am sick of hearing about McCain's POW experience. Shame on him. I would expect him of all people to stand up and protest the treatment of the POWs we're holding in Gitmo, and in the other torture camps we fly prisoners around to all over the world where there are no laws against torture. What have you done for our nation, lately, John? whatever it is, please stop! I don't trust your judgement.

But I'm wasting our time. Truth is, I will never, never. vote for the GOP again. I was done, even before he let it slip that he was in favor of the draft.

I was done--even before we invaded a sovereign nation.

I was done--even before Bush refused to talk to our enemy, preferring intimidation to reason.

I was done--even before the GOP employed scare tactics to win elections.

Oh, I could go on and on. But why bother? Let's cut to the chase: There are 12-year-olds in my neighborhood who will be old enough for McCain's draft in a few years. There's not one of them I'm willing to sacrifice for the arrogance and glory of the GOP. Not one. It is my wish that if John McCain goes to that cave in Afghanistan, looking for Bin Laden, he'll go there alone...and that he'll be carrying a sleeping bag.

Quote du jour:

"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." Sir Winston Churchill

Drain the swamp!

My canna

My Aunt Vera had cannas around her home, so I planted some in her memory this spring. Aunt Vera is in most of my books. She was a real character! I have been noticing bats around the house for the first time, and I'm wondering if it's the cannas that are attracting them...eeek! Bats and I have an unfriendly history.

The Republican Convention--Sarah Palin did rock the house, eh?

What else I liked:

The idea of going to Washington to drain the swamp. This could be done by either party, just do it!

Giuliani's speech

What I didn't like:

The chanting. It hits me as primitive, and frightening. John Adams said, "A mob is no less a mob just because it's with you."

The suggestion that Al Gore should park his private plane. And do what, ride with us? In this age of terrorism, no way do I want to be on a plane with a high profile politician.

Quote du jour:

"Michelle Obama for First Lady!"

Sarah Palin--a case of bad timing

Dragonfly in Oregon, © Dick Hooper, 2008

Sarah Palin- It's all politics in this country. Right now, I'm hanging around waiting for what Sarah Palin has to say. I've been getting emails calling me sexist because I've mentioned her running when she has children. Obama has kids, too, they say. Should he not be running?

What's wrong with you people? Do you not see the difference between a man with school age children and a woman who has a five-month-old baby with down syndrome? She is need much more at home than she is in Washington. That baby needs her.

Still waiting to see what she has to say. Maybe she'll convince me we really can't live without her. I've heard on MSNBC that she is not even giving her own speech. It's a speech written for an unknown man that's being "feminized" for her--with her own added touches, I presume. Good grief.

Republicans--lies, lies, lies. I am so sick of it.

MSNBC news--I've noticed them slanting the news toward the Democrats, and I am disappointed. I can't give you a list, I haven't got that kind of time.

Hate email--some of you people need to get a life. I got an email photo of Palin that was real, I think, but offensive all the same. I did not use it here. I forwarded it to only one Republican email friend. They were not amused. The truth hurts, I guess, but I don't even want the photo on my site. Of course, if she makes me mad tonight, maybe I will post it!

No time to edit.

Quote du jour:

"The people of the world have always been more impressed with the power of our example than the example of our power." President Bill Clinton, 2008 National Democratic Convention

Playing catch-up

The Oklahoman,

Our summer has been lousy here. Bad weather. Too much work. Too much politics. Not enough Olympics.

Bears in Hibiscus-Maybe I'm on the third rewrite. I've kind of lost track. But it's going well.

My Custer and His Naked Ladies was reviewed in The Oklahoman:

http://newsok.com/entertainment/books/

On my TV- The Melagro Bean Field. I saw it for the first time two days ago.If you haven't seen it yet, get it.

On my bed table-All of the Elizabeth Lowell's romance books with pearls, amber, jade, or rubys in the title. I think Midnight in Ruby Bayou is the best, although the one about the Pearl Cove is probably the steamiest. Whoa! I need a do-over! I missed a lot when I was young!

Also,The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. I'm just getting into it, but it looks promising.

There was one more that I won't mention by name because I think it was so poorly written, and I don't feel mean today. Can you sleep your way to the top in publishing? I think so...

A lot of my reading is in the research category, so I won't list those. I have a habit of reading books on anthropology for weeks and then end up actually using only a few lines. It's just one of the perks of being an independent writer (wink, wink).

The Olympics- I worry too much. After what our president and his sidekick Cheney have done to the world, I was really fearful that the Olympic audience might break tradition and boo us. It was a great relief when they didn't. Thank you, world. We'll do better next time.

And the sight of Putin--who had just invaded Georgia--and Bush sitting so close together cried out for a big water balloon. If I'd had my druthers, Bush would have already been wet for the gaul he showed when he lectured China on human rights. Talk about nerve. I'll be so glad when he goes back to Texas.

I'm not an Olympic enthusiast for the medals. I'm into it for the pure joy of seeing our youth (mostly) get together in one place without guns. Wasn't it John Paul Sarte who said, " When the rich start wars, the poor die?" I can never get enough of those young faces, gleaming with pride and sweat. Those bodies, strong and able, and those eyes, bright with the joy of competition.

I missed the competition I would have liked to have seen the most. I have looked all over the Internet for the film of the Mongolian wrestler who won his country's first gold medal. How exciting!

Kindle- I'm seriously taken with Amazon's Kindle, and hope to start putting my books on there within the month. Before I heard of this magical machine, I was dead set against a book that wasn't a real book. Made from real paper, with a real cover. But lately, due to the rush I've been in to get information, I've discovered eBooks. The fact that I think they're really, truly awful has been outweighed by speed. SPEED. As in having the information I need in munutes, if not seconds. It's addictive, and I think there's a Kindle in my future, if I can ever afford the sticker price (at last check, it was $359.00 on sale).

Note: while I'm on eBooks, they are not just for nonfiction. The next time you're short of something to read, check out Jim Muri's eBook site: http://blizzardguy.com/venture/index.html Jim tells a great story. I loved Blue Water Blues and Growing Milo.

No time to edit! I know my font button is jammed...

Quote du jour:

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire

Our Senate has betrayed us

Elfi Hornby and I (I'm on the left) at the Steilacoom 4th of July Street Fair, 2008.

Elfi (a fellow author) and I like to go out and meet our readers, and eat some hot dogs and ice cream at the Steilacoom Street Fair on the 4th. It's a beautiful historic town right on the water, and it's our favorite way to spend the holiday. In between the fair and the fireworks they have a charming, old-fashioned parade with marching bands, kids, and old cars, sprinkled with military men who get lots of cheers from the crowd. Our military men are the best. It's just our government that is so screwed up.

Yesterday, our Senate voted for the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), that takes away more of our constitutional freedoms. My little old aunt better watch her mouth when she's on the phone now. It's very sad, and our sorry president has taken away the joy in doing a blog.

Well, like the traffic cop says, "Let's move on..."

Lately, I think my brain that has been frazzled by politics and tortured by the dangerous precedents our government is setting has struggled to stay sane (move on!). I have thrown myself into my new novel (Bears in Hibiscus), increased my recording schedule for Free Pecan Pie and Other Chick Stories, and have taken a film-making class online so that I can more easily promote my books.

My Custer and His Naked Ladies book was reviewed by The Oklahoman (the state's largest and best newspaper) http://newsok.com/entertainment/books/

Are you bored to tears yet? If some of my European readers see this rant on our politics, they'll wonder what on earth I'm talking about. Ignorance is bliss. Trust me.

Have a great summer, ya'll. Hopefully, on the next 4th we'll have a better president who will have more sense and integrity than this one. If we do, I plan to party hearty.

Quote du jour:

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Will Rogers

Michelle Obama

Michelle for First Lady!

Ohhhhhh, Hillary!

2008

Ohhhhhhhh, Hillary! You're not ready for prime time. You never, never, touch the third rail. Go home!

Mr. Sadman

Rudy Ramos on set for Mr. Sadman

http://mrsadman.com/trailer.html

http://myspace.com/mrsadman

The above photo is of my cousin, Rudy Ramos, and the links are to a trailer to his new movie, Mr. Sadman. Check it out!

Politics- I've been so disgusted by Hillary Clinton's lies that I've thrown myself into my new book, Bears in Hibiscus, a humorous romance about a Montana Park Ranger who falls in love with his ex-sister-in-law on a beach in Hawaii. I've spent so many hours avoiding the reality of the state of politics in this country that I'm already into rewrites. This may be the fastest book I've ever written. Thanks, Hillary (I don't mean it, I'm just being polite).

A friend saw a post I made to The New Haven Advocate in Connecticut about Bill and Hillary being Tater Tots when what this country needs is Idaho Bakers. It was a version of a post I'd made on this site referring to all of the candidates (except Obama). The comment was longer, but they went for the humor and just printed the last line. That was fine, but my friends, not accustomed to editing, were surprised because they were used to me being a lot more long-winded.

But let's not talk about politics, the subject is really beginning to sicken me.

On my TV-I hope you all got a chance to watch HBO's special (8 parts?) about John Adams. It was excellent. Also: the debates (cringe) and baseball (another cringe, if you're a Mariner fan, as I am).

On my bed table-I've been reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, a wonderfully written book that is set at a circus (so far). Unfortunately, I've discovered I'm really not into circus people, or their history. But that's just me. I think you'd love it. Since I last posted, I've read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (loved it), and Dirty Martini by J. A. Konrath (a great summer read). I've also been re-reading a couple of the classics to refresh my memory. Did you know that the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland (E. B. White) never actually said, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date"? While we're on the subject, Scarlett's maid* (Gone With the Wind) never said, "I doan know nothin' about birthin' no babies, Miz Scarlett," ? What she said was, "I doan know nothun' about bringin' no babies, Miz Scarlett." Thank you, Hollywood. I don't have the books here to check details, but you get the idea. *I can't remember her name and can't reach the book to check it.

Custer and His Naked Ladies-It's making the rounds. Have ya read it yet? Read sample chapters of all of my books: http://www.janellemerazhooper.com/

Author's green project-I'm thinking of making one of my new novels into an eBook that would be marketed on my www.JanelleMerazHooper.com site. All of my books are in print format and in eBook, but this one would never go to print. It would be sort of a valentine to Planet Earth. I'm researching it...

quote du jour-

"You can't see the window from under your bed." (song, Ryan Adams, The Cardinals)

Need Manuscript Makeover?

http://www.manuscriptmakeover.com/

My friend, Elizabeth Lyon's new book on doing a manuscript makeover is out. Elizabeth helped me with my first novel, A Three-Turtle Summer. Working with Elizabeth is like taking a four-year course in fiction writing from an ivy-league school. If you're a writer, and Elizabeth doesn't live next door to you, get this book and devour it. I did. Oh, and she has other wonderful books on nonfiction writing, book proposals, and marketing.

Still no word from Tom Hanks. I told David Southwell, an author from the United Kingdom, that I joined Facebook so Tom would discover my stories. I figure I'm a You've Got Mail kind of writer.

Many writers nowadays would be delighted if their books jumped straight from keyboard to film. A lot of us feel that there is more talking about books than the actual reading of them going on. After all, we're storytellers. We began telling stories around a smokey fire in a cave somewhere, so why should we resist the new technology? I'd never want to see books go away entirely, but there's something very appealing about the medium of film.

I have some readers who are just now reading my second novel, As Brown As I Want: The Indianhead Diaries. That's more than partly my fault because the book was mis-labled. The catalog says it is fiction, but it is really a (hilarious) fictional autobiography. This is the kind of mistake that happens when an author moonlights as her own agent.

Custer thank yous:
Tantara Records (http://www.tantararecords.com/, email:info@tantararecords.com ) for permission to use the lyrics to Go My Son. They have a beautiful website with music to suit every taste (well, I haven't seen any headbanger music there, but they have everything else.).
The Comanche Nation (http://www.comanchenation.com/ ) for their help with the Comanche language.

Quote du jour:

"A mob is no less a mob just because it's with you." John Adams, John Adams, HBO special production

The pressure is on

Statues in Fremont, Washington, 2007

The townspeople have a lot of fun with the statues in Fremont. Their attire changes with the mood and the season. I love the town of Fremont. It's full of creative people; ya'll go visit.

Years ago, during an illness, I learned to appreciate the small things I could have (chocolate, popcorn, friends, books), as opposed to the big things (bigger houses, cars, and bank accounts) that everyone else in this country seemed to be clamoring for. I understand this urge to have everything super-sized because most everyone in this country is working so hard they are ruining their health. Might as well die happy. To an outsider, it may seem like an easy fix. Just work less. I wish it were so, but for every person working himself to death in this country there are at least a few hundred standing in line behind him, willing to work the same hours for less. The pressure is on. I have no where to go with this, but I just remembered a French woman in a news interview criticizing Americans for working so hard. I wish I could transport her to this country for a while. She'd soon learn that this is the land of milk and honey, but it comes at a very high price, and she might find herself with the choice of being over-employed or unemployed*. It's a tough balance. *Please don't email me about this run-on sentence. I'm still on my first cup of coffee.

David Southwell- At last, a blog post from fellow writer David Southwell. I was beginning to fear the Londoner had been trampled by a kangaroo on his recent book promotion trip to Australia. I'm gathering the trip was not without peril, but I'm so relieved to hear he survived. I'm a lousy traveler, so I empathize with his experience.

Custer and His Naked Ladies- Have ya read it yet? It would make a great beach read.

Go My Son-for those who have asked, the song really does exist, and information on it can be found from: email: info@TantaraRecords.com or www.TantaraRecords.com

I'm glad my readers are enjoying the Comanche words I've added. I handpicked words I thought you'd have a use for in your daily life. More info can be found at: www.ComancheNation.com

Quote du jour:

"It has been a bad year. The next one will be even worse." The Raisuli (Sean Connery) in The Wind and the Lion. I thought this was a good quote for an election year.

Anti-French redneck hate mail

©JMH, cross country skiing, Alaska

I had another picture to post from when we lived in Alaska, but my photo files are being reorganized and I misplaced it. A lot of my short stories in Free Pecan Pie and Other Chick Stories were inspired by our time in Alaska. It's a kind of frozen Africa to me--animals everywhere! My husband and I used to travel a lot and we enjoyed it immensely...well, maybe that trip he took to Viet Nam wasn't so much fun. although he has never complained.

On my CD player- Rod Stewart's If We Fall In Love Tonight. It's old, but still one of my favorites.

On my TV- The History Channel. Their shows on UFOs are so bad it should be called The Lying Channel. But still I watch because a future book I've got planned has UFOs in it.

Email- I got one of those African scam letters. It said I'd won a lottery sponsored by Yahoo! and Microsoft and that I had won over $300,000 dollars...unfortunately, the money had been sent to Africa. There would be a fee to get it back. I've had a lot of fun with it, telling my family that I'd pay for dinner, but unfortunately, all of my money has been sent to Africa.

I also got one of those anti-French redneck hate mails. These guys need a history lesson. It was the French who saved our patooties in our war against the British during our War of Independence. Without them, there would have been no United States of America. When we went to help the French fight the Germans in World War I, General Persching visited the gravesite of Layfayette and said, "Lafayette, we are here!" It was a debt we were honored to repay.

Allow me to add that the last thing we need in this world is more division. So, Yanks, drink that French wine, eat those French fries, heat up that brie, and warm up the French bread.

Now, all of this doesn't mean I have any grudge against the English. How could I dislike a nation that has sent us such wonderful music, like The Beatles, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and more? It may seem strange that a writer is applauding English music instead of English authors, but I am a poet at heart, and some of the most beautiful lines in the world's languages have been put to music.

Custer and His Naked Ladies-I'm about out of books and shipping envelopes, and my office feels bigger. I really hate the clutter of stacks of books, packing supplies. I said I hate the clutter--not the books! There's four of them now, and another well on the way.

This last book reminds me of that song I Did It My Way. Being a small niche, pod writer does have its perks. There was no one to stop me from writing the story the way I thought it should be written. It's full of Comanche words, a few Spanish phrases, and a Navaho song. A traditional publisher would have never allowed so much material that was so specific to location. To them, a book set in Southwest Oklahoma would never sell as many books as a book with wider appeal (read: New York City--publishers love books about New York City--it's in their comfort zone). Of course, having said that, I'm reminded of exceptions to the rule, like Barbara Kingsolver. But anyway, my point about doing the book my way still stands. An author who can be true to her story is truly blessed. Maybe not with money, though!

Custer thank yous:

Tantara Records (http://www.tantararecords.com/, email:info@tantararecords.com ) for permission to use the lyrics to Go My Son. They have a beautiful website with music to suit every taste (well, I haven't seen any headbanger music there).

The Comanche Nation (http://www.comanchenation.com/ ) for their help with the Comanche language.

I'd better get to work so I can watch the primary results in a few hours. Ya'll vote! It's never been so important.

Quote du jour:

"He that lives upon hope will die fasting." Benjamin Franklin (VOTE!)

No time to edit, it's primary day! JMH