Who Is Mistral Dawn?

Mistral Dawn is a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US but somehow never in the middle. She currently resides in the Southeast US with her kitty cats (please spay or neuter! :-)) where she works as a hospital drudge and attends graduate school. Taken By The Huntsman is her first effort at writing fiction and if it is well received she has ideas for several more novels and short-stories in this series. Please feel free to visit her on FaceBook or drop her a line at mistralkdawn@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1293


Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Twelve-Hundred-Ninety-Three:
The alliance between the canid and my young apprentice seems to have suffered some strain. Yesterday, the little idiot was napping on the canid’s pillow and she inexplicably took exception to this fact. To be honest, I was as astonished as my youthful apprentice at her sudden change in behavior. He has been occupying her space for days without perceivable protest from her, and there was no noticeable change in her demeanor beforehand. 

Then, without warning, the canid turned and snapped at the tiny halfwit, forcing him from her pillow. For his part, he leaped from his slumber and quickly deployed the CLAWS. My hominid-servant intervened, at that point, and ordered them both to “behave.” A strange command since they were both engaging in behavior, though perhaps not the sort of behavior she desired.

Regardless, the dispute dissolved and the combatants both retreated to their own areas; the canid to her pillow, and the small nuisance to his preferred place of concealment beneath my hominid-servant’s sleeping platform. But I am forced to wonder if this bodes ill for the plot against my hominid-servant or if the two will resolve their differences in the interest of a shared objective.


Hmmm... Plot twist! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!






Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The Furry Brigade...

 


Hey Everyone!! 😊


I posted this on Facebook a while ago and thought I'd share it here too. Why not, right? Hopefully, it will give you a laugh. 😉

Am I the only one who wakes up to a queue every morning?

"Yes, I'm still breathing. No, thank you, I don't need you to stick your tail in my mouth to make sure."

"Yes, I still love you. You, too. Yes, and you. No, I don't need you to try to kill each other on top of my head; I'm perfectly capable of being the human for all of you at the same time. Yes, I'm 100% sure, but thank you for your concern."

"Yes, I will get up and feed you eventually, even though I'm positive you still have food in your bowl. No, I haven't forgotten. Nope, still haven't forgotten. Yes, I'm getting up. May I open my eyes first please?"

"Yes, I still love you. I know it has been five minutes since you last stuck your butt in my face, but I promise I haven't forgotten you. Or you. Or you, either."

"Alright I'm up. I'm up for fuck's sake! Yes, I still love you all. No, I will not bend over to pet you, right now, because if I do there's a good chance I'll end up on the floor."

"If you trip me, and I break something, I won't be able to feed you. In fact, if you guys make me fall, I'm staying on the floor and going back to sleep."

"No, there are no extra points for making the most passes at tripping the human. Nor are there extra points for tripping the human on the stairs. Yes, I'm sure."

"No, if you bat the can out of my hands, I will not be able to open it faster. Nope, doing it a second time won't speed up the process, either."

"Okay, if y'all want to play keep-away-hockey with that can, that's fine. I'll leave the can opener here on the floor, and you can open it when you're ready."

"What do you mean 'meow'? No, turning it into a moan with a convincing death-rattle at the end doesn't make it any clearer. I'm not chasing the can around. If you want me to open it, stop playing keep-away with it."

"Yes, I know. I'm completely unreasonable. Somehow, I think you'll live. See? Now you even have canned food to help you on your recovery."

"You know, if you trample me to death to get to this can, I won't be able open another one tonight."

"Yeah, yeah, you're cute when you purr at your food. You're welcome."

Sheesh! 🙄

#FurryBrigade #MorningRoutines




Monday, March 29, 2021

Something Worth Watching?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. More than one, actually. I'm sharing these videos because I think they do a good job of explaining some hard truths about the Democrats in federal-level elected office and why we need to start demanding better. But watch them for yourselves and form your own opinions. Peace!













Sunday, March 28, 2021

Chickenless Broth #Recipe!

 



Hey Everyone!! :-)

This is an easy fake-out broth that I like to keep on hand for use in making soups or just to sip if I start to feel under the weather. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
12 cups water
8 onions
6 carrots scrubbed well or peeled
6 stalks celery washed
1 head kale or broccoli
4 bulbs garlic
1/4 cup ground turmeric
1/4 cup dried oregano
1/4 cup dried basil
1/8 cup dried rosemary
1/4 cup vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 stick butter (optional)
3 inches ginger root (optional)
1/8 cup soy sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste (be generous with both but especially the salt)

Put the olive oil and butter (optional) and the dried seasonings in a large stockpot and heat gently. Add the water and the rest of the ingredients. You don't need to worry about chopping or peeling any of the vegetables, just make sure they're clean and cut them in half. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer the stock for 2-3 hours, stirring periodically. Taste occasionally and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. Once the liquid has reduced and the vegetables are mush, remove the stock from the heat and cool. Pour the cooled broth through cheesecloth to remove all the solids and the liquid you have left is your chickenless broth. It can be used immediately, though it's best to let it sit overnight in the fridge, or frozen.

Bon appetit!










Friday, March 26, 2021

Culture Clashes... 😉

 


Hey Everyone!! 😊

Since it's Friday, which is often date-night, I thought I'd share a little glimpse into some of the challenges The Huntsman had when trying to plan a first date with his soulmate. Enjoy... 😉

Excerpt from Taken by the Huntsman:
Cadeyrn had been trying to think of a way to start courting his Anamchara.  The Fae had access to human media sources.  The broadcast media they could listen to or watch using the same spell they used to communicate over long distances with each other.  The written media they could see by casting a spell on a book to display any written source the reader desired.  Cadeyrn had been reading a lot about modern human courtship rituals and had found that the commonly accepted method for humans who were Cassie’s age and of a similar origin was to go on "dates."

"Dates," he had learned, were activities that both parties found enjoyable. They allowed the two parties to get to know each other better, and were conducted in an environment both parties found relaxing and non-threatening. He was having a hard time thinking of anything that fit all of those criteria.

He didn’t know his Anamchara well enough to know what activities she found enjoyable. It seemed likely that she would prefer to spend some time outside of the castle walls. But he would not be able to relax knowing that she was outside his fortress, and so vulnerable to attack. 

What he really wanted was to just sit with his Anamchara and speak with her and get to know her. But he didn’t know how long she’d be willing to humor him, and he didn’t want to bore or upset her. He thought the easiest way to learn more about her would be by observing her unobtrusively as she went about her daily routine. But the human sources he had read used words like "creepy" and "stalker" to describe such behavior, so he didn’t think Cassie would appreciate it if he did that.

He hoped that their conversation over their morning meal would give him some idea of something that Cassie might enjoy doing that he didn’t think was too dangerous. Once he had transferred the Scath to her, he would enjoy taking her out into the forest and showing her some of the wonders to be seen in his territory. The thought of making love to her under the trees had him hard enough to drive nails. But the risk of exposing her to all of the dangers lurking in the woods without the protection of the Scath was something he had a hard time facing.

The door to his bedroom opened, and he straightened up from his slouch against the wall.  Cassie stood there looking stunning in some trousers and a purple top that made her blue eyes sparkle. Her insistence that she wouldn’t wear dresses had amused him. But seeing how the trousers hugged her backside made him consider banning dresses from her wardrobe forever.

He wanted to reach out and run his hand over the soft material, but he knew that would likely earn him a scolding at the very least. It was almost worth it, but he didn’t want his Anamchara to think he was unable to control himself. Or that he only valued her as an object of lust. He hadn’t earned such liberties yet, and so he restrained himself. Still, he thought he’d probably do a lot to earn such a reward. And the thought of it was even more motivation to try to convince Cassie to give a relationship between the two of them a chance.


Want to find out if the Erlking succeeds in figuring out the perfect first date? Grab your copy at the link below! Happy reading!!!  😊


Taken by the Huntsman




Thursday, March 25, 2021

#APC #Spotlight: The Rite of Wands By Mackenzie Flohr!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Mackenzie Flohr (Ami Lutkus-Phillips) in my APC spotlight, today! Mackenzie is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her coming of age, young adult, action-adventure, fantasy novel, The Rite of Wands, looks great! Here's the description:
One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever
And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.

Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.

But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.
 If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:






Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1288



Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Twelve-Hundred-Eighty-Eight:
My young protégée has begun napping with the canid on her cushion. I am uncertain if this is to facilitate communications regarding their conspiracy against my hominid-servant, or if there is some deeper connection between the two that is forming. Either way, I will continue to follow this developing situation with interest. Hopefully, it will prove as entertaining as it promises.


The game is afoot! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!








Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Everyone Has Their Limits...


Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Shifting Paradigms:
Petri swallowed against her rising nausea and tried to comfort herself with the thought that the kid might not actually be a kid. Which reminded her of something else Vlad had said earlier. “You said there are no actual children in your city, was that a lie?”

He gave her a cold smile. “Very good, Per Dish. You’re correct. One rule I do enforce is that everyone who comes here must be of an age to be responsible for themselves. The details of that vary depending on the individual and the species involved, but there are no true children here.”

His tone didn’t invite further inquiry, and Petri decided to let the matter drop. She had gotten as much reassurance as she thought she would get that what looked like a kid in danger wasn’t what it looked like and, even if it were, there wasn’t much she could do about it. She was on Vlad’s turf. And if she wanted to get herself and her friends out of this alive, she couldn’t afford to be distracted.







Monday, March 22, 2021

Something Worth Watching?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. Two, actually. And, really, I know this is probably a dead horse, at this point, but these are just more examples of why I'm done with the Democrats.

















Sunday, March 21, 2021

Garlic Olive Oil Potatoes Side Dish #Recipe!

 



Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back with one of my favorite side dish recipes for you today.  It takes about five minutes to throw together and is a definite crowd-pleaser. :-)

Ingredients:
3 Large Baking Potatoes
3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Butter
6 Cloves Garlic Grated
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash the potatoes and cut them in half length-wise. Mix the olive oil with the garlic and pour two tablespoons of the mixture into the bottom of a 9x9 baking dish. Cut the butter into six pieces and place the pieces in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle salt and pepper into the oil mixture and place potatoes cut-side down into the mixture placing each potato half on top of a piece of butter. Use a fork to puncture the top of each potato half. Brush the remaining olive oil and garlic over the tops of the potatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Bake the potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.

This recipe also works with sweet potatoes if you're trying to cut white potatoes out of your diet. If you'd like, you can add grated parmesan cheese to the olive oil at the bottom of the baking dish. It makes a crunchy, salty crust on the bottom of the potatoes. Or you can add a quarter of a cup of white wine to the olive oil mixture, which adds a bit of tang to the dish. You can also cut the potatoes into chunks, instead of halves, and toss them in the garlic and olive oil and bake them that way. If you do the chunk method, it's easy enough to also add chunks of other vegetables -- mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc. -- to the mix and make it a roasted vegetable dish.

Bon appetit!











Friday, March 19, 2021

#APC #Spotlight: Forever Desired (Vampire Brides) By Ariel Marie!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Ariel Marie in my APC spotlight, today! Ariel is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her vampire, fantasy, interracial, paranormal romance novella, Forever Desired, looks great! Here's the description:
He'd waited an eternity to find her.

Athena captivated her audience every night. Her husky voice, sensual moves and megawatt smile, packed the nightclub where she sang. It was her name on the lips of her audience. Everyone wanted a piece of her—even him.

One song and Sorin was enthralled by the beauty on the stage. Her voice awoke a part of him he had thought to be dead long ago. She had no idea of the power she wielded over him with one glance, one smile and one kiss. Never one to pursue a human before, he couldn’t ignore the hunger that burned for her. Only she can satisfy him, but he will first need to protect her from the ones who want him dead.
If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:





Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Thursday, March 18, 2021

#March2021 #IndieBooksBeSeen #Indie #Author #Books #Monthly #BookReview!



Hey Everyone!! 😊 

It's the 18th again, so time for my #IndieBooksBeSeen monthly indie author book review!! Enjoy! 😊

Brother Mine (Brotherhood of Assassins Book 1) by Jolie Mason (Jan Benson):

Have you ever made a huge mistake that had the potential to alter the entire course of your life? How about a mistake so large it could change the fate of an entire race? That's the situation Adame Sacha finds himself in after having been manipulated by a traitor to his cause into killing the wrong person. Mal Renata, seeking to limit the damage caused by Adame's actions and save the lives of the people she has worked tirelessly to help, has to find Adame and expose his crime for all to see. But who knew that a cold-blooded assassin could spark a passion that burns so hot? Will these star-crossed lovers find a way to save everything, and everyone, they hold dear? You'll have to read to find out!

This is a fun read. There's plenty of thought-provoking situations and dialogue for those who want it, but there's also lots of action and romance to keep the story moving along. The characters are well-developed and relatable and their motivations are realistic and easy to identify with. Overall, though there is an exciting plot, I'd say this is a more character-driven than a plot-driven story, which is something I really enjoy. Five stars.










Wednesday, March 17, 2021

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1284


Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Twelve-Hundred-Eighty-Four:
My hominid-servant received one of her parcels, today. In a completely uncharacteristic burst of energy, the canid attempted to take advantage of the open door and rush past my hominid-servant. I can only assume this was somehow related to the ongoing conspiracy between the canid and my young protégé; however, what she intended to accomplish by this effort to escape eludes me. 

Her intentions proved to be as irrelevant as her exertions were futile, though, as my hominid-servant thwarted the attempt by the simple expedient of closing the door in the canid’s face. For her part, the canid took the setback well, and returned to her nap on the cushion my hominid-servant supplied to her for this purpose. The little idiot never emerged from beneath my hominid-servant's sleeping platform, so I presume he is doing his best to distance himself from this ignominious defeat.


Hominids are no fun! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!






Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Alien Abductions... 😉


 Hey Everyone!! 😊

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Since it's the beginning of the week, and those are usually pretty rough for me, I thought I'd share a little peek at the type of day Petri can have. I don't know about you, but sometimes a reminder that things could be worse helps me feel better. Enjoy! 😉

Excerpt from Intrinsic Connections:
She pulled up information on Zanzibar. It was a well-developed world with several major metropolitan centers. It wasn't a planet-spanning city like Upworld, but it wasn't a ghost town like Sheol and Dunia either.

"Sounds good," she conceded.

"I'm pleased you approve," was his sarcasm-laden answer. "Though, you won't be seeing much of Zanzibar, since you can't pass their customs testing."

"We've been through this!" Petri growled.

"Yes. We have. And nothing has changed."

She leapt to her feet with her fists clenched at her side. Standing, she just barely matched Daji's height as he sat in the Captain's chair. A fact that only fueled her aggravation. "I will not agree to live my life on some backwater, deserted, no-man's-land world-that-time-forgot surrounded only by dust and semi-sentient troglodytes!"

"Considering the cesspool you came from, I would think anything would be an improvement!" Daji snarled.

Petri opened her mouth to let out another scathing retort when a voice boomed in her head. "Why do you bicker with the creature, child?"

Blinking, she looked around, confused, and swallowed. "What? What was that?"

Daji just looked at her as if she lacked all mental competence and Chessie looked concerned.

"Didn't you hear that?"

Chessie shook her head. "I didn't hear anything, hun."

"All I heard were the shrill tones of your harpy's voice," sneered Daji.

Petri bared her teeth at him and stretched out her mind trying to find the source of the voice. She didn't have to go far before she found an energy that left her breathless; she had never encountered anything like it before. It was like stepping out of a dark cave and staring directly into the sun. The sensation left her stunned and all she could do was gasp and gape at Daji and Chessie.

Her brow furrowed, Chessie hurried over to her friend. Petri clung to the back of one of the passenger chairs, barely staying on her feet. Her jaw worked as if her throat was blocked and she was trying to draw breath past the obstruction. When she turned her wide eyes towards Chessie, the older woman could read both terror and wonder in them.

Putting her hands on Petri's shoulders, Chessie turned the younger woman towards her and helped her sit. "What's wrong, hun? Are you hurt?"

Blinking rapidly, all Petri could do was point to a spot beyond the viewport. The only thing that showed through the portal was a field of stars, but Petri could feel the danger that lay in wait.

Swiveling his chair back towards the control panel, Daji checked his instruments. "There is nothing there except the wormhole and it is inactive at the moment."

Before Petri could recover herself enough to respond, the voice boomed again. "Child, why do you waste your time arguing with inferiors? Simply declare your will and make them carry it out."

Daji and Chessie flinched.

"You heard," Petri whispered.

They nodded.

His hands flashing over the control panel faster than Petri's eyes could follow, Daji tried to locate and identify the source of the voice.

Shaking her head, her voice heavy with dread, Petri said, "Don't bother. It's them."

"Them?" inquired Daji, his hands never slowing.

"The Arcanum."

Daji froze and both he and Chessie stared at her.

"How do you know, hun?"

Before Petri could answer, a brilliant golden light filled the cockpit. After a minute, the light resolved into the slight figure of a member of the most hated and feared species in the galaxy. The small alien looked around, seeming to study the three other occupants of the cockpit.

Shaking off his momentary paralysis, Daji leapt to his feet and swung one long arm towards the intruder. He never connected. Instead, he found himself flying backwards through the air to land in a heap against the wall next to the door. When he tried to rise, he found that he was pinned by an invisible grip.

"Daji!" cried Chessie.

She tried to run to him, but found herself picked up and hurled against the wall next to the control panel.

Petri stood and gasped. "Chess!"

"Remain where you are, child. I would converse with you like civilized beings. Your pets are not harmed."

Blinking, Petri stared at the creature who was even smaller than her. "Pets?"

A graceful arm indicated where Daji and Chessie lay immobilized. "These."

"Why are you holding them?"

"As I said, I wish to converse with you, and you have failed to train them in proper behavior."

Her mind whirling, Petri said, "I don't understand."

"That is to be expected. But all will be made clear in time. Now it is time for you to come home."

Thoughts and questions spiraled through Petri's head faster than she could register them. She felt like if she could just catch hold of one, the spinning ball would unravel and everything would make sense again. But try as she might, she couldn't seem to follow any one train of thought to its conclusion. Indecision paralyzed her.

She knew what she wanted; to get herself and her friends away from the terrifying alien as quickly as possible without anyone getting hurt. But things had changed too fast for her to process the new situation properly, and she didn't know where to start. All she could do was stand and wonder at the weight of menace such a small, unprepossessing, apparently innocuous creature could convey.

Petri had never seen an Arcanum before. Few had and lived to tell of it. But, in spite of their reclusive nature, every now and again a member of another species would escape with their life from an encounter with the Arcanum. So, there were plenty of tales about what they looked like. And, Petri noted, some of those stories even approached the truth.

On its surface, the Arcanum didn't appear dangerous. It was short, much shorter than even her own four-foot-two-inch height, and exceedingly slender. The creature's arms and legs looked like delicate twigs that could easily be snapped in two by an average-sized human. But its head was enormous, bulbous with large, lidless eyes, slits for a nose, and no mouth. Perched atop its reedy neck, the head had an almost farcical appearance. Like a child's balloon with a face drawn on it.

But, despite its almost comical appearance, the Arcanum was shrouded in a miasma of danger. It wasn't hostility so much as supreme indifference. There would be no threat from the Arcanum. It would simply exterminate them. With no more thought than she would give to stepping on a bug.

The alien was cadaverously slender and, since it wore no clothing, Petri could see that it bore no obvious signs of the being's gender. Its skin was pale and sickly looking, like one of the corpses that were pulled from the underworld gutters every morning, and it added to the eerie quality of the creature. A baleful, golden glow smoldered in the Arcanum's eyes.

Those glowing eyes were one of the few elements that were consistent between the scattered accounts of encounters with the Arcanum. Petri's own eyes glowed when she was in the grip of strong emotions and when she used her power. That trait was what had betrayed her on Upworld. No other known species had such eyes, and now Petri knew why others found them so memorable. The light in the alien's eyes held her transfixed; it was as if she were looking into the fabled torment that awaited sinners in every religious mythology anyone had ever tried to sell her. But, unlike those stories, the Arcanum's eyes made her believe.

"I don't understand," she repeated.

The alien gestured at the viewport. The field of stars had disappeared to be replaced with an impenetrable darkness. "You will come home. It is time for you to be evaluated."

"Evaluated?" That penetrated the fog that seemed to be filling Petri's mind. "You mean like a test?"

"We must determine if you are one of us or if you are less. That can only be determined by the Collective. You will be evaluated and a consensus reached. Then we will decide what is to be done."

"Done? With me, you mean? What about my friends? Will you let them go?"

"The lesser beings will be kept, for the time being, to encourage your cooperation. You have been too long outside the Collective; there is some concern that you will resist melding."

"Are you going to hurt us?"

"You will not be harmed, at this time. Any further decisions will be contingent upon your evaluation. The fate of the lesser beings will be determined based on the level of your cooperation. If you wish to preserve their well-being, you must submit yourself to your evaluation and strive to convince the Collective that you are sentient."

"I'm a person, of course I'm sentient!"

"Your claim to both of those statuses remains to be determined. The evaluation will take place soon. Until then, you will remain here in the company of the lesser beings."

The Arcanum flashed with the same golden light as before.

"Wait!" cried Petri. "I have more questions!"

But it was too late. When the light faded the alien had disappeared.


Want to find out if Petri passes her tests? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy Reading! 😊










Monday, March 15, 2021

Something Worth Watching?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. Two, actually. When people ask me why I won't vote for corporate Democrats, like Biden and Harris, this is why. Peace!
















Sunday, March 14, 2021

Meatless "Beef" And Potatoes Soup #Recipe!

 



Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite soup recipes with you. It's low fat -- it's even vegan if you leave out the butter -- but very filling. I hope you find it as delicious and warming as I do. :-)

Ingredients:
4 large potatoes cubed
3 large onions chopped
2 large portabello mushrooms, stems and caps, sliced
1 14oz container of sliced button mushrooms
2 large carrots chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
3 cups of raw kale chopped
4 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups water or vegetable stock
1 cup red wine (Merlot or Burgandy work well)
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Sautee the onions in the olive oil and butter in a stockpot until they are well caramelized. Add the carrots and pepper and continue to cook until they soften. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook until the mushrooms soften. Stir in the tomato paste and deglaze the pot with the wine.  Add the water or stock, salt and pepper, and potatoes. Bring the soup to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for half an hour and stir. Allow to simmer for another 20 minutes to half an hour and stir.  Check to make sure the potatoes are soft and add the kale. Simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the kale wilts, and serve.

If you'd like, once the vegetables are softened you can transfer them to a crockpot and complete the soup there. Still deglaze the pot or pan with the wine and pour that into the crockpot as well. If you don't like wine, or don't keep alcohol in the house, you can use 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and 3/4 cups water or stock to deglaze the pot or pan.  If you don't like button mushrooms, you can use any kind of mushroom you like. If possible, you should use the portabello mushrooms as they add a "meaty" texture and richness to the soup.

You can thicken the broth by mixing 1/4 cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry and adding it to the soup at the end. You can also add any other vegetables you like in your soup. I've made the soup with sweet potatoes instead of potatoes. You can also replace the potatoes with barley or rice. If you like your soup spicy, you can add a couple of chili peppers or some curry paste to the soup. Basically, this is a good basic soup that can be taken in a lot of directions, so don't be afraid to experiment.

Bon appetit!











Friday, March 12, 2021

Fiction Reflecting Reality?

 


Hey Everyone!! 😊

Given the fact that the neoliberals are back in power here in the US, I thought I'd share a glimpse at the logical conclusion of their policies. Enjoy! 😉

Excerpt from Rainbow Dreams:
Even though she knew it was silly, Petri couldn't help but feel like the eye of every guard was on her as she moved through the Upworld pedestrian traffic.  It was earlier in the day and there were more people around than the night before.  Some of the other people on the path moved away when they saw her, but most of them just gave her odd looks.  She knew it wouldn't be long before someone reported her presence and the guards came to investigate.  Clutching her pass in her hand, she increased her pace.

Many of the residents of Upworld were sensitive about having dealings with underworlders.  The society of Upworld was extremely stratified, with an enormous gap between the lowest levels and the highest levels of income.  People who lived on the lower rungs of the Upworld salary ladder were usually only a paycheck or two away from becoming underworlders themselves.

Trying to fit in better, Petri surreptitiously observed those around her and tried to ape their mannerisms.  One thing she couldn't help but notice was that quite a few of her fellow pedestrians had the same sort of obvious, artificial augmentation as Per Mirna had for his eyes.  Almost all of even the low-level jobs that Upworld citizens did required the tech to facilitate interfacing with the computer systems they used.  It was possible to camouflage the enhancements of course, and even create them out of organic tissue.  Most executives at least concealed their accessories, and many used the biotech instead of the straight tech.  But those types of cosmetic upgrades were expensive, so most junior employees made do with the less sophisticated models.

Residents of Under City weren't allowed to possess that kind of tech, so anyone who lost their Upworld citizenship had their tech augmentation removed.  Petri had seen people in Under City missing eyes, ears, hands, arms, legs, and other body parts.  She knew that sometimes it was because they had sold part of themselves to the grinders, but now she realized that some of them were probably also people who had lost their tech.  It hadn't occurred to her before because almost no one who was low enough in rank to have to use the unconcealed tech would willingly travel to the underworld.

The companies that ran the Upworld government made sure to keep the majority of the populace on the margins of survival.  They needed a small, relatively stable, and educated pool from which to draw employees who they could work to death, but they also needed to maintain control.  Making sure that most people were entirely occupied with making ends meet was the easiest way to keep them from pursuing a more equitable distribution of power.  Any remaining energy the drones might have, the companies strove to get them to focus on investing in the belief that they were better off than the underworlders.  If any citizen did have the temerity to show the slightest hint of disloyalty to or rebellion from the companies, that person would immediately be banished from Upworld and relegated to the slums of Under City.

This culture of conformity and fanatical devotion to the companies resulted in a tendency among the rank and file of Upworld to resent any effort from the underworlders to improve their situation.  After all, their one comfort in life came from the fact that there was someone else who was worse off than them.  Without that, it was hard for many of them to face the emptiness of their existence.  So they clung to their perceived superiority fiercely, and did everything in their power to protect it.

Of course, Petri was only superficially aware of the complex social dance that took place among those in Upworld.  What she did know was that if she stayed too long, or stood out too much, the people around her would either kill her themselves or call the guards to do it for them.  She needed to get to the transfer station to Western sector fast!

The map she had been given was now showing a marked path to her destination but, from what she could tell, it was quite some distance from where she was.  Rodney, like most Upworld citizens who went slumming in Under City, had gone to the sector closest to where he lived.  It would take her a lot longer to travel to the transfer station to Western sector than to return to the one to Southern sector.  Unfortunately for her, Southern sector wasn't an option for her anymore.

The path the map indicated was more-or-less a straight line, but it would keep her in the upper levels of Upworld much longer than was healthy for someone like her. She thought she would have a better chance of blending in and being inconspicuous if she traveled at ground level. But that would mean deviating from the route that had been marked for her, which would attract the attention of the guards. Petri was between a rock and a hard place, and she was starting to feel a bit desperate.


Want to find out how Petri solves her dilemma? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy Reading!! 😊


Rainbow Dreams





Thursday, March 11, 2021

#APC #Spotlight: Sigrun (Bandamann Saga Book 1) By Deidre Mapstone!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Deidre Mapstone in my APC spotlight, today! Deidre is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her young adult sci-fi/fantasy novel, Sigrun, looks great! Here's the description:
The Lundgrens own and operate Sigrun: A family restaurant on the shores of Mount Desert Island, Maine. They are a hard working, every day, American family. But like every family, they have their secrets, some stranger than others. The way these secrets unfold may surprise you.
Their tale begins with a familial ease considered unique to most, but their seemingly perfect relationships are ordinary compared to what hides beneath the surface.
If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:


Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, March 10, 2021

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1282



Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Twelve-Hundred-Eighty-Two:
Whatever plot the little idiot is hatching, he seems to have bullied the canid into assisting him. The two of them are spending extended periods of time stalking my hominid-servant and observing her routine. If either of them had ever demonstrated even the slightest proficiency at research, I would suspect them of creating a dossier on her. 

In spite of the intensity of the conspirators’ interest, my hominid-servant seems to lack any awareness of the scheme that is apparently in motion against her. To be honest, as dull as things have been around here, lately, I’m enjoying watching this series of events unfold. Since I’m familiar with the general level of competence of players in this little melodrama, I rather expect whatever they’re planning to turn into a complete debacle. Still, it will likely be entertaining, and I am in sore need of entertainment.


Awww! It's cute how Thoth is reveling in his real-life soap opera, isn't it? 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!







Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Caveat Emptor...


Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Shifting Paradigms:
“You don’t control what sort of business is conducted here?”

Another shrug. “As I told your excessively virtuous companion, earlier, I do not interfere in trade. It is up to those who come here to look after their own interests. The unwise or unwary may lose. Though, perhaps at least some of them consider the lessons they learn valuable enough to compensate for the expense. But that is not my affair.” He fixed his cold stare on her. “But I do maintain order and protect those conducting business here from outside interference.”

Petri shivered under the implied threat, but didn’t back down. Visions of Sadaka’s hollow, terrified expression when confronted with the doll collectors swam before her eyes. “Not everyone is able to look after their own interests. And not everyone who can’t has someone to do it for them.”

“The universe is certainly an unjust arena,” he agreed easily, his eyes never leaving hers.









Monday, March 8, 2021

Something Worth Watching?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. Honestly, I don't even want to introduce this one because I feel like I'm starting to sound like a broken record. Please just watch it and form your own opinions. Peace!















Sunday, March 7, 2021

Easy Veggie Frittata #Recipe!

 



Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back with another recipe today.  I decided to experiment with a riff on a frittata and I think it worked out pretty well. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 large or 3 medium-sized potatoes cubed and boiled
1 12 oz container of sliced button mushrooms
1 medium onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup whole grape tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute the mushrooms, onion, pepper, and broccoli in two tablespoons of olive oil until soft. Coat the inside of a 9x9 baking dish with the remaining olive oil.  Put the sauteed vegetables in the baking dish with the boiled potatoes and the tomatoes. Stir the vegetables around until they are well distributed and even in the dish. Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the milk and salt and pepper, and whisk until they are homogeneous. Pour the egg mixture into the dish evenly until just the tops of the vegetables are visible. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until the top is golden brown, about 40-45 minutes. Cut into equal squares and serve with toast or by itself.

Okay, a few variations. First, of course, you can use whatever kind of mushrooms you like, even canned mushrooms if that's what you have. The basic recipe doesn't have garlic in it, but I've made it with garlic and it came out pretty well. One or two cloves chopped fine and mixed with the sauteed vegetables right before you take them off the heat works well. You can also use frozen broccoli and/or frozen onions, if that's what you have on hand. You can omit or add any kind of vegetables you like. I've also made this with cauliflower and spinach, and it came out well.  I also like to slice the squares in half height-wise and put them on toast with mayonnaise.

I don't like cheese with my eggs, but if you do you can add any kind of cheese that you like. It would probably work best if it was shredded and added to the egg mixture or sprinkled over the top about halfway through the cooking process.

As with other dishes, I prefer my frittata without meat. But if you like meat you could easily add ham, sausage, and/or bacon to this dish. Again, either mix it in or sprinkle it over the top halfway through the cooking process. One caveat: make sure the meat is completely cooked before you add it to the frittata. Food poisoning sucks. 😉

Which is also why you want to make sure the eggs are cooked all the way through before serving. I had no problem just by cooking it low and slow at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and taking it out when the top was golden brown all over.  But, since ovens can vary, you should definitely stick a fork or toothpick in the center to confirm that it's cooked before serving it.













Friday, March 5, 2021

#Animal #Rescuer's #Guide To #Staying ( #Relatively ) #Sane! #Free! :-)

 



Hey Everyone!! 😊

Just a reminder, for those who haven't checked it out yet, I've collected all my animal rescue/care posts together and published them as a small book.  If you'd like, you can download the book for free from Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.



Thanks for stopping in today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)




Thursday, March 4, 2021

#APC #Spotlight: Live From The Cafe By Tory Gates!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Tory Gates in my APC spotlight, today! Tory is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his dystopian, sci-fi/fantasy, LGBTQ, portrayal-of-small-town-life novel, Live from the Cafe, looks great! Here's the description:
“What did you dream today?”
Harlandsville, Quebec—look up the definition of small town in a dictionary, and you’ll find its picture.
A one-stoplight village, Harlandsville doesn’t have a lot to offer, or so it seems. Old homes, an abandoned mill, a gas station, one Chinese takeout joint, and a former pub turned into a coffee shop. For the latter, one learns never to judge a book by its cover.
One step through the doors of Le Cafe, and you enter a world where the coffee is brewed one pot at a time through a strange machine, the pastries are homemade, and the music is a roadmap of Canada’s history.
Presided over by Luc, the son of one of Harlandsville’s most loved residents and his partner Emily, the cafe is home to natives and visitors alike. Where the coffee is strong, the spirit of friendship stronger, and occasional strange (and famous?) characters show up to hang out, and play music.
Small-town life, love, change, prejudice, pasts and futures are examined and experienced. The heartbeat of Harlandsville is right here. You never know who’ll show up, or what will happen next, Live from the Cafe...
 If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:


Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, March 3, 2021

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1280



Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Twelve-Hundred-Eighty:
I believe my juvenile companion may be planning something. I’m not certain what, exactly, he is up to; however, he has been eyeing my hominid-servant with what seems like purpose. It is unclear if his intentions are benign or harmful, but he definitely seems to intend something. I can only surmise that this extended period of inactivity has caused him to seek to create some excitement. Hopefully, he won’t get more than he can handle.


Hmmm... It seems the game is afoot! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!