Friday, March 13, 2009
Petunia is Joining Us!!
I met with Petunia last night. I am so excited.... she'll be joining us for commentary. We confirmed our cover and Chicken Nachos is well on its way to bookstores near you! Of course we'll keep you posted so you can be the first to get a copy when it is released...
Monday, March 2, 2009
Chicken Nachos....
Hi, guys... I've been so engrossed with editing the book I haven't been online much in the past few days. The good news is I've found a site that Peg and I can use to self-publish and market the book. Working to edit text and get it ready to hit the "shelves" on Amazon.com!! I'm so excited and I'll keep you all posted on when you'll be able to access the entire story.
With the economy still struggling, my focus is definitely on creating a biz of my own. Anyone with knowledge of search engine optimization should leave me a note. I'd love to learn all I can.
Chat soon... and I'll post another chapter to tweak your interest later in the week.
With the economy still struggling, my focus is definitely on creating a biz of my own. Anyone with knowledge of search engine optimization should leave me a note. I'd love to learn all I can.
Chat soon... and I'll post another chapter to tweak your interest later in the week.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Chicken Nachos The Beginning
Okay, as promised.. another random chapter from Chicken Nachos.. I really would love some feedback... and ... as previously stated.. Anyone know a good publisher? Okay... back on task.. I thought it time we introduced you to Petunia, Gladiola's BF.
Lesson Two
Denial
“You don’t know, what you don’t know.”
~ Anonymous
Tale Two: The Princess and Her First Mistake
Warth/Denlinger-Nachos-Copyright 18
The Princess and Her First Mistake
Half our mistakes in life arise from feeling where we ought to think,
and thinking where we ought to feel.
~John Churton Collins
Once upon a time there was a beautiful young Princess named Petunia. She was a bit shy and hadn’t dated much. The Princess always hoped she would someday meet the man of her dreams. However, she lived in a small kingdom and didn’t really believe it would happen. Then it did!
Petunia was at a ball one night when the local Wizard asked her to dance. He seemed quite nice. (Incidentally, his wife had recently run off with another man. Hmmm!)
Several months later Petunia and The Wizard began to date and almost immediately fell “in love.” He treated her like a queen, which was quite novel to the princess. They spent every spare moment together and she felt happiness like none she had ever experienced.
Vowing his undying love and faithfulness, they were married eighteen months later. That would be the first of Petunia’s many mistakes. Life changed after the wedding. The Wizard was never home because of a “demanding work schedule” as he was spending much of his time performing magic. Their first year of marriage proved difficult. Petunia tried to understand but she soon started complaining to The Wizard. Surely he would understand her need for a bit of his time. But, The Wizard maintained that his work came first and she would have to adjust. After all, he was working hard to give them a good life. She felt so selfish.
Time passed quickly as Petunia busied herself making the castle homey. A year or so into the marriage things did slow down a bit and they decided it was time to start a family. Princess Petunia could hardly wait. The rest of her dream was coming true.
One day, not long after that, Petunia was wandering around the castle and came upon a note addressed to The Wizard. It looked like an invitation. (She wasn’t entirely wrong.) The Princess opened it and began to read. “I can think of nothing better than making love with you all night.” Petunia nearly dropped her drawers. Perhaps she needed to speak with her husband.
Off she went to find The Wizard and when she did, she handed him the note. He read it and then began telling her the story of a local peasant girl who had a crush on him. This note was nothing but her wild imagination.
Well of course, that made perfect sense to Petunia. It was understandable that a young girl could imagine herself in a relationship with a powerful and wonderful man like The Wizard. (How sad for her.)
A month or two went by when someone began to knock at the castle door. Petunia would answer, but no one would be there. It happened quite frequently. However, if the Wizard answered the door, a brief conversation would ensue. Petunia never saw the person and when she questioned her husband, he said it was simply someone who needed his magic.
By now it was nearly Christmas and Petunia was ecstatic. They had decided several months ago to start a family and she was certain she was pregnant. Her soul felt like it had been touched by magic. Life was rosier, parties were merrier, and she and her beloved were going to have a baby. She was certain of it.
Two days after Christmas Petunia heard a knock on the door. Before she could open it, a note appeared from beneath it. It was addressed to her.
Dear Petunia,
You are so gullible. The Wizard is telling you he is out sharing his magic when he is sneaking about with a young girl from the other side of the kingdom. She is saying he will marry her, because it is she he loves, not you. Wake up! He is making a fool of you…
A Friend
Obviously this was just another ploy by that poor pathetic peasant girl. However, Petunia did feel it was time for The Wizard to put a stop to this. He needed to tell the girl she was wasting her time. Perhaps if she became a little indignant with her husband he would do it sooner rather than later.
Petunia found The Wizard at the Duke’s castle. He was performing magic on the household staff and they were all seated waiting their turn. She grabbed her husband by the arm and they went out into the next room. She threw the letter at him and as he was reading she said, “Well?” She knew of course what he would say, but with a little attitude maybe he’d get the message that she was tired of this nonsense.
The Wizard looked up at Petunia and said, “It’s true.” In that instant Petunia felt her dreams disappear. She could literally feel her hopes for the future leaving her body. The Princess stood stunned. Then she turned on her heel, headed toward the door and yelled, “You Goddamn Son of a Bitch!” The people waiting to see The Wizard looked puzzled. Petunia slammed the door and mortar showered down on them.
The Wizard quickly followed her outside wanting desperately to talk. Petunia jumped in her coach, grabbed the reins, and headed full speed toward her lying, cheating, no good bastard husband! Maybe she’d accidentally kill him.
Meanwhile, Petunia’s good friend Princess Gladiola was visiting with friends who were telling the story of The Wizard’s dalliances. Gladiola knew she must tell her friend and dreaded it. Off she went in her carriage to find poor Petunia. It wasn’t long before she happened upon the scene of a woman running down a man. “Too late.” Gladiola drove on.
Petunia went home and got drunk.
Lesson Two
Denial
“You don’t know, what you don’t know.”
~ Anonymous
Tale Two: The Princess and Her First Mistake
Warth/Denlinger-Nachos-Copyright 18
The Princess and Her First Mistake
Half our mistakes in life arise from feeling where we ought to think,
and thinking where we ought to feel.
~John Churton Collins
Once upon a time there was a beautiful young Princess named Petunia. She was a bit shy and hadn’t dated much. The Princess always hoped she would someday meet the man of her dreams. However, she lived in a small kingdom and didn’t really believe it would happen. Then it did!
Petunia was at a ball one night when the local Wizard asked her to dance. He seemed quite nice. (Incidentally, his wife had recently run off with another man. Hmmm!)
Several months later Petunia and The Wizard began to date and almost immediately fell “in love.” He treated her like a queen, which was quite novel to the princess. They spent every spare moment together and she felt happiness like none she had ever experienced.
Vowing his undying love and faithfulness, they were married eighteen months later. That would be the first of Petunia’s many mistakes. Life changed after the wedding. The Wizard was never home because of a “demanding work schedule” as he was spending much of his time performing magic. Their first year of marriage proved difficult. Petunia tried to understand but she soon started complaining to The Wizard. Surely he would understand her need for a bit of his time. But, The Wizard maintained that his work came first and she would have to adjust. After all, he was working hard to give them a good life. She felt so selfish.
Time passed quickly as Petunia busied herself making the castle homey. A year or so into the marriage things did slow down a bit and they decided it was time to start a family. Princess Petunia could hardly wait. The rest of her dream was coming true.
One day, not long after that, Petunia was wandering around the castle and came upon a note addressed to The Wizard. It looked like an invitation. (She wasn’t entirely wrong.) The Princess opened it and began to read. “I can think of nothing better than making love with you all night.” Petunia nearly dropped her drawers. Perhaps she needed to speak with her husband.
Off she went to find The Wizard and when she did, she handed him the note. He read it and then began telling her the story of a local peasant girl who had a crush on him. This note was nothing but her wild imagination.
Well of course, that made perfect sense to Petunia. It was understandable that a young girl could imagine herself in a relationship with a powerful and wonderful man like The Wizard. (How sad for her.)
A month or two went by when someone began to knock at the castle door. Petunia would answer, but no one would be there. It happened quite frequently. However, if the Wizard answered the door, a brief conversation would ensue. Petunia never saw the person and when she questioned her husband, he said it was simply someone who needed his magic.
By now it was nearly Christmas and Petunia was ecstatic. They had decided several months ago to start a family and she was certain she was pregnant. Her soul felt like it had been touched by magic. Life was rosier, parties were merrier, and she and her beloved were going to have a baby. She was certain of it.
Two days after Christmas Petunia heard a knock on the door. Before she could open it, a note appeared from beneath it. It was addressed to her.
Dear Petunia,
You are so gullible. The Wizard is telling you he is out sharing his magic when he is sneaking about with a young girl from the other side of the kingdom. She is saying he will marry her, because it is she he loves, not you. Wake up! He is making a fool of you…
A Friend
Obviously this was just another ploy by that poor pathetic peasant girl. However, Petunia did feel it was time for The Wizard to put a stop to this. He needed to tell the girl she was wasting her time. Perhaps if she became a little indignant with her husband he would do it sooner rather than later.
Petunia found The Wizard at the Duke’s castle. He was performing magic on the household staff and they were all seated waiting their turn. She grabbed her husband by the arm and they went out into the next room. She threw the letter at him and as he was reading she said, “Well?” She knew of course what he would say, but with a little attitude maybe he’d get the message that she was tired of this nonsense.
The Wizard looked up at Petunia and said, “It’s true.” In that instant Petunia felt her dreams disappear. She could literally feel her hopes for the future leaving her body. The Princess stood stunned. Then she turned on her heel, headed toward the door and yelled, “You Goddamn Son of a Bitch!” The people waiting to see The Wizard looked puzzled. Petunia slammed the door and mortar showered down on them.
The Wizard quickly followed her outside wanting desperately to talk. Petunia jumped in her coach, grabbed the reins, and headed full speed toward her lying, cheating, no good bastard husband! Maybe she’d accidentally kill him.
Meanwhile, Petunia’s good friend Princess Gladiola was visiting with friends who were telling the story of The Wizard’s dalliances. Gladiola knew she must tell her friend and dreaded it. Off she went in her carriage to find poor Petunia. It wasn’t long before she happened upon the scene of a woman running down a man. “Too late.” Gladiola drove on.
Petunia went home and got drunk.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Penny Saved
A penny saved.... Guess we all have to look at things differently in this economy. I certainly am.
What can we do to remind ourselves to not take the fat times for granted? Maybe more importantly, what can we do to stay focused and grateful during the lean times?
I'm looking at options and actually have brainstormed some great business opportunities. (These are in the works as "we" speak!)
What have I heard over and over since the election; Ameri-CAN?? Keeping with this, we do have to be inventive if we're all going to get to the other side of this financial state in one piece.
Stay tuned.. more is coming. Hoping to have a storefront up and running in about two weeks. (I'll link you in.) How about in the meantime y'all share your favorite sayings with me? I could use some input... get my creative juices flowing again.
Oh, and keep coming back; more of Chicken Nachos coming to a "blog near you" soon!!
What can we do to remind ourselves to not take the fat times for granted? Maybe more importantly, what can we do to stay focused and grateful during the lean times?
I'm looking at options and actually have brainstormed some great business opportunities. (These are in the works as "we" speak!)
What have I heard over and over since the election; Ameri-CAN?? Keeping with this, we do have to be inventive if we're all going to get to the other side of this financial state in one piece.
Stay tuned.. more is coming. Hoping to have a storefront up and running in about two weeks. (I'll link you in.) How about in the meantime y'all share your favorite sayings with me? I could use some input... get my creative juices flowing again.
Oh, and keep coming back; more of Chicken Nachos coming to a "blog near you" soon!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Chicken Nachos
Lesson Six
Life’s Diversions
“Unfulfilled desires are dangerous forces.”
~ Sarah Tarleton Calvin
Tale Twenty: Gladiola “Almost” Goes Down for The Count
Copyrights: Warth/Denlinger-Nachos-85
One vice adds fuel to another.
~Old Farmers’ Almanac 1841
The King of the District had abdicated the throne and there had been an argument, an uprising of sorts, over who was next in line to reign. It was decreed an election would be held to decide the next ruler. Conrad and Gladiola were uncharacteristically in agreement. They campaigned heavily for their candidate and when Sir Wiley Clintlock won the election, they promptly threw a ball in honor of his coronation.
All the best people were invited. Gladiola hired a band, decorated the castle, and prepared a feast. Conrad and Gladiola welcomed their guests as they arrived in grand carriages, dressed to the “nines.”
Beverages soon flowed, the food was served, and gaiety abounded. The guests then gathered in the great hall for an evening of dancing and music. Gladiola and Conrad led the first waltz. But, as was common with Conrad, he became easily distracted and left Gladiola alone on the dance floor.
Count Sven Spanaldo had been aware for months of the neglectful way his friend Conrad treated Gladiola. He couldn’t understand this as he himself was quite taken with the princess. For some time he’d engaged her in clever conversation at every opportunity. Sensing of late Gladiola’s pleasure in his company, he yearned for a moment of privacy with her.
So far Gladiola had succeeded in remaining coy but the game of “cat and mouse” was exciting and both she and The Count willingly played at every opportunity.
Embarrassed by Conrad’s behavior (he was showering his charm on a young maiden from the local university) Gladiola made a hasty exit from the great hall and fled toward the carriage house. She needed a moment alone to regain her composure. En-route she passed Petunia returning from a walk in the gardens. Gladiola said only that she needed to check on the beverage supply in the carriage house and continued on her way.
Sven Spanaldo watched as Gladiola left the hall. He saw Conrad engaged in conversation and his Countess was dancing with another. He set off in hot pursuit of Gladiola. As luck would have it he came upon Petunia just as she was entering the great hall. Asking the princess if she’d seen Gladiola (claiming his search urgent as one of the servants was requesting her assistance in the kitchen) he took heed as to her whereabouts and soon had Gladiola cornered.
The flirtatious game Gladiola played with Conrad’s friends was done innocently for attention; her ego being starved after years of Conrad’s indifference. It had always seemed like a safe way to garner male affection. The Count, however, looked upon their game differently.
He strode to her side, embraced her in what Gladiola felt was an attempt to comfort her. Then he planted a kiss directly on her mouth. Gladiola squirmed in shock, prying herself free of Sven’s arms. Feigning disgust she asked The Count what exactly he thought he was doing. Before she could react he had again taken her in his arms, “professing his undying love and faithfulness.”
Wanting on one hand to stay (she found herself highly “attracted” to The Count), but unable to follow through with the transgression, she managed to free herself. Quickly she fled back to the ball.
Meeting Petunia on the way hadn’t been part of the plan; this caught Gladiola off guard as she was still straightening her gown as well as her “do.” Petunia was not one to pull punches when it came to accountability. So, Gladiola told her friend of The Count’s unbelievable behavior. “How could this have happened? Why do these men think I’d be untrue to Conrad?”
Petunia had heard it all before (more than once as a matter of fact). “Why indeed!” Petunia rolled her eyes. Gladiola shrugged her shoulders. The two returned to the ball arm in arm.
Life’s Diversions
“Unfulfilled desires are dangerous forces.”
~ Sarah Tarleton Calvin
Tale Twenty: Gladiola “Almost” Goes Down for The Count
Copyrights: Warth/Denlinger-Nachos-85
One vice adds fuel to another.
~Old Farmers’ Almanac 1841
The King of the District had abdicated the throne and there had been an argument, an uprising of sorts, over who was next in line to reign. It was decreed an election would be held to decide the next ruler. Conrad and Gladiola were uncharacteristically in agreement. They campaigned heavily for their candidate and when Sir Wiley Clintlock won the election, they promptly threw a ball in honor of his coronation.
All the best people were invited. Gladiola hired a band, decorated the castle, and prepared a feast. Conrad and Gladiola welcomed their guests as they arrived in grand carriages, dressed to the “nines.”
Beverages soon flowed, the food was served, and gaiety abounded. The guests then gathered in the great hall for an evening of dancing and music. Gladiola and Conrad led the first waltz. But, as was common with Conrad, he became easily distracted and left Gladiola alone on the dance floor.
Count Sven Spanaldo had been aware for months of the neglectful way his friend Conrad treated Gladiola. He couldn’t understand this as he himself was quite taken with the princess. For some time he’d engaged her in clever conversation at every opportunity. Sensing of late Gladiola’s pleasure in his company, he yearned for a moment of privacy with her.
So far Gladiola had succeeded in remaining coy but the game of “cat and mouse” was exciting and both she and The Count willingly played at every opportunity.
Embarrassed by Conrad’s behavior (he was showering his charm on a young maiden from the local university) Gladiola made a hasty exit from the great hall and fled toward the carriage house. She needed a moment alone to regain her composure. En-route she passed Petunia returning from a walk in the gardens. Gladiola said only that she needed to check on the beverage supply in the carriage house and continued on her way.
Sven Spanaldo watched as Gladiola left the hall. He saw Conrad engaged in conversation and his Countess was dancing with another. He set off in hot pursuit of Gladiola. As luck would have it he came upon Petunia just as she was entering the great hall. Asking the princess if she’d seen Gladiola (claiming his search urgent as one of the servants was requesting her assistance in the kitchen) he took heed as to her whereabouts and soon had Gladiola cornered.
The flirtatious game Gladiola played with Conrad’s friends was done innocently for attention; her ego being starved after years of Conrad’s indifference. It had always seemed like a safe way to garner male affection. The Count, however, looked upon their game differently.
He strode to her side, embraced her in what Gladiola felt was an attempt to comfort her. Then he planted a kiss directly on her mouth. Gladiola squirmed in shock, prying herself free of Sven’s arms. Feigning disgust she asked The Count what exactly he thought he was doing. Before she could react he had again taken her in his arms, “professing his undying love and faithfulness.”
Wanting on one hand to stay (she found herself highly “attracted” to The Count), but unable to follow through with the transgression, she managed to free herself. Quickly she fled back to the ball.
Meeting Petunia on the way hadn’t been part of the plan; this caught Gladiola off guard as she was still straightening her gown as well as her “do.” Petunia was not one to pull punches when it came to accountability. So, Gladiola told her friend of The Count’s unbelievable behavior. “How could this have happened? Why do these men think I’d be untrue to Conrad?”
Petunia had heard it all before (more than once as a matter of fact). “Why indeed!” Petunia rolled her eyes. Gladiola shrugged her shoulders. The two returned to the ball arm in arm.
Recreating Myself YET Again
Okay, so I know I'm not alone! It's that old saying, "It's only a recession when it's your neighbor who lost their job. It's a depression when it happens to you."
Ever read The Celestine Prophecy? This is a whole series of books about life. Somewhere in there they ventured into commentary on the future; where people would be paid for sharing their knowledge. So I guess I've arrived... Don't know about the rest of you.
Over the past thirty plus years I've gone from working in the education arena to corporate life, back to education and back to corporate life. Twinkled in there were periods of unemployment. These were either self-imposed or thrust upon me (i.e. the "we've been bought out and you're no longer needed, and the most recent, "economy issues". Oh.. and how about "You've exceeded our expectations, but..."?) But why whine, we're all in this together. Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a little entitled to at least a 24 hour pity party?
So, what do you say? How about sharing our POA's (plan of actions) with each other? I know I could use a site to vent and bounce off ideas with fellow answer seekers. We don't have to keep it to the job hunt either. I don't know about you, but The Celestine Prophecy was ahead of the game... I'm rising to the occasion this time; it is time to gain control of my own destiny. I no longer want someone, anyone, establishing control over my perceived worth!!
I, along with another dear friend, wrote a short novel years ago. We were regrouping from bad marriages. Again, we'd let someone else determine our worth. Maybe it is time to dust it off and share that story. Haven't we all stories worth telling? Jobs, family, stuff that did or didn't work out for us?
So friends, a snippet on the site from our path to enlightenment... Chicken Nachos, Don't Take it Personally, It's Just Business... will be included on the site for our enjoyment. Anyone know a publisher looking for a hot commodity?
Oh, and don't do what I did and wait to get hit over the head before you step up and take control of your destiny. (Did I mention yet that I was in an accident in January? A blow to the head on the roll bar left me with 16 staples in my head. Next time I'll listen to life's signals before the powers greater than me have to take such drastic measures to garner my attention!!)
Ever read The Celestine Prophecy? This is a whole series of books about life. Somewhere in there they ventured into commentary on the future; where people would be paid for sharing their knowledge. So I guess I've arrived... Don't know about the rest of you.
Over the past thirty plus years I've gone from working in the education arena to corporate life, back to education and back to corporate life. Twinkled in there were periods of unemployment. These were either self-imposed or thrust upon me (i.e. the "we've been bought out and you're no longer needed, and the most recent, "economy issues". Oh.. and how about "You've exceeded our expectations, but..."?) But why whine, we're all in this together. Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a little entitled to at least a 24 hour pity party?
So, what do you say? How about sharing our POA's (plan of actions) with each other? I know I could use a site to vent and bounce off ideas with fellow answer seekers. We don't have to keep it to the job hunt either. I don't know about you, but The Celestine Prophecy was ahead of the game... I'm rising to the occasion this time; it is time to gain control of my own destiny. I no longer want someone, anyone, establishing control over my perceived worth!!
I, along with another dear friend, wrote a short novel years ago. We were regrouping from bad marriages. Again, we'd let someone else determine our worth. Maybe it is time to dust it off and share that story. Haven't we all stories worth telling? Jobs, family, stuff that did or didn't work out for us?
So friends, a snippet on the site from our path to enlightenment... Chicken Nachos, Don't Take it Personally, It's Just Business... will be included on the site for our enjoyment. Anyone know a publisher looking for a hot commodity?
Oh, and don't do what I did and wait to get hit over the head before you step up and take control of your destiny. (Did I mention yet that I was in an accident in January? A blow to the head on the roll bar left me with 16 staples in my head. Next time I'll listen to life's signals before the powers greater than me have to take such drastic measures to garner my attention!!)
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