#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 688

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 Six-Hundred-Eighty-Eight:

Today, once again, a cardboard container appeared outside my domicile. After my hominid-servant brought it inside, I dissuaded her from contaminating the evidence through the simple expedient of sitting on the container until she lost interest. Every time she attempted to remove me from my perch, I hissed at her and threatened to deploy the C.L.A.W.S. Once she gave up her attempts to interfere with my research, I undertook to open the container so as to examine its contents.

The first step was to remove the cardboard covering. This proved a challenge, as I lack the opposable thumbs possessed by my hominid-servant, and I was obliged to strip off the covering in shreds and layers until its original structure was no longer perceivable. This did, however, result in successfully revealing the contents hidden within so that I could properly catalog them.

The contents were as follows: 4 books printed on pressed and sliced dead tree remains, 1 digitally recorded video stored on a plastic disc, and 1 scented wax cylinder with a centralized wick in a decorative glass container. Fortunately, the way by which I was forced to reveal these items did not disrupt their integrity, as I am certain my hominid-servant would not have responded favorably such a mistake. However, luck, as they say, is a fickle mistress, and so I will make a note to use more care when opening such packages in the future. As, naturally, it will be necessary to do, since a sample size of one is hardly useful.

As a side note, I do have to say that while my aggression display was successful in dissuading my hominid-servant from interfering in my research, I do feel a bit uneasy about threatening a creature who routinely lavishes a significant amount care and attention on my person. I will have to consider the matter and see if I can devise any equally effective methods that don't cause such a faithful servant to fear for her safety.

Aww! Those hominids can be so endearing ;-) 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!

But What About...?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today, I want to talk about a phenomenon that I've recently heard called, "Whataboutism." Whataboutism is when you point out a problem or make an argument and someone else says, "What about.." and starts talking about something that might be tangentially related but is essentially off topic. Basically, it's what you used to do to justify your misbehavior as a child. If you had no real defense, you'd try to deflect attention by pointing out that someone else had done something wrong, too. As if that somehow nullified your own actions. As I'm sure your parents made clear to you at the time, another person's misbehavior in no way absolves you of your responsibility to behave properly. So, it wasn't a sound argument strategy then, and it isn't now, either.

One particular "Whataboutism" I'd like to address is the one that inevitably seems to come up when anyone points out how corrupt and, frankly, criminal Trump and his administration are. It seems the moment anyone mentions anything related to that topic, someone else will say, "But what about Hillary?!?"  Well, I'd like to take a moment and answer that question so that, hopefully, we can all get back to the more germane issue of dealing with the Monster in the White House.

Now, anyone who reads this blog knows I have no love for the Clintons. They're corrupt and they've pulled some seriously shady stunts in their pursuit of power. If someone wants to investigate Hillary Clinton and expose the details of her corruption and prosecute her for it, I have no problem with that. Crimes should be prosecuted. I'd especially be interested in seeing what a thorough investigation into the shenanigans that went on during the 2016 primaries would turn up.

That being said, neither Hillary nor Bill Clinton are currently President of the United States. While it would be fine to investigate them and prosecute them for any crimes they've committed, doing so is, in my estimation, a far lower priority than addressing the rampant and blatant corruption in the current administration.

Do I think that Trump is some kind of Manchurian candidate puppet controlled by Putin? Not really. At least, I've seen no convincing evidence of that. But do I think he and members of his immediate family have illicit financial dealings with Russian oligarchs and powerful elites in other foreign countries including China and Saudi Arabia? Abso-fucking-lutely. They haven't even tried to hide it.

And are these financial ties a concern? Of course they are. They make it extremely likely that Trump will put the interests of these foreign powers over American interests. Frankly, I think there are several instances where he has already done so.

So, if it comes down to a question of where the FBI and other law enforcement agencies should be focusing their resources, I think it makes the most sense to direct them at the greatest and most imminent threat. Namely, the swamp creatures who are currently doing their damnedest to dismantle our government and sell out our people.

Peace!

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share.  As you may know, last week Trump gave his first, and hopefully last, State of the Union speech. It was, as one would expect, a complete train wreck. A horrific conglomeration of demagoguery, warmongering, racist and xenophobic dog-whistling, and flat-out lying. In other words, exactly what you would expect from Trump.

But, like Emma Vigeland in the video below, I don't think any of that is really worth talking about. We all know Trump is a monster; there's nothing new there. And, obviously, it's important that we continue to fight him and try to keep him from achieving any of his goals. But, in order to do that, we need to have a viable alternative to Trump. And, as their official response to the State of the Union once again demonstrated, the Democrats are failing in that objective. Miserably.

Joe Kennedy III was the Democrat the Party chose to deliver their official response. And he's just another neo-liberal corporatist, which proves that the Democratic Party leadership learned nothing from Hillary Clinton's humiliating defeat in 2016. Fortunately, Bernie Sanders also gave a response, and it was predictably full of substance and hope, and I would strongly suggest you watch it. In the meantime, the video below will give you some of the particulars on Congressman Kennedy's policy positions and donors. And, as I'm sure you won't be surprised to discover, how the two seem to be mysteriously linked.

So, please take a few minutes to watch. And remember what you learn here, because you can be sure that Kennedy won't be the last neo-liberal disaster the Democrats try to foist on the American public before 2020. And maybe the next one will be a better speaker with smoother delivery and lies, but we can't let them get away with it if we want to save this country from Trump and his minions. We need to learn to tell the gold from the fool's gold, and videos like this that lay out the facts are exactly how we do that. Peace!

Stick-To-Your-Ribs Ratatouille #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I don't know about where you are, but it's still pretty cold here. And, right about now, when the weather has been cold and dreary for a couple of months, I like to make something warm and hearty, but with plenty of bright veggies to remind me that the sun actually does still exist...somewhere. ;-) Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 15oz cans diced tomatoes
2 15oz cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 cup dry red wine or 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1.5 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
2 onions chopped fine
1 bell pepper chopped
1 zucchini diced
1 butternut squash roasted and diced
1 carrot shredded
1 eggplant roasted and diced
6 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup fresh oregano shredded
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves shredded
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes or chili powder (optional)
1/4 cup cornstarch slurry
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large, deep-sided skillet, add the olive oil and onions and saute until golden brown. Add the squash, zucchini, eggplant, pepper, carrots, garlic, chickpeas, dried seasonings, and butter and saute until the pepper softens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as necessary. Deglaze the pan with the wine or vinegar and add the tomatoes and the rest of the seasonings. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Add the slurry and continue simmering for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve over pasta, rice, potatoes, or by itself with a side of crusty bread.

Bon Appetit!

Lovestruck #Authors & #Bloggers #ValentinesDay #Giveaway! $100 #Cash #Grand #Prize! #Free To #Enter!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

There's a new giveaway for Valentine's Day!  Please take a moment to check out the Lovestruck Authors And Bloggers Valentine's Day Giveaway!!  There are lots of awesome books and prizes!! :-)  It's free to enter, there are over 30 prizes, and the grand prize is $100 cash payable through PayPal!! :-)  Now isn't that worth taking a few minutes to check out? ;-)   Here are all the details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#Interview With Connie Cockrell!

Hey Everyone!

Please join me in welcoming Connie Cockrell to my blog, today! Connie, will you please tell us about yourself and how many books you have written?

Connie: I only started writing in 2011, for the National Novel Writing Month. I was challenged by my daughter when she came home from a visit with a friend all excited about this writing challenge she had decided to take on. I asked how hard is it to write 1667 words a day and she said, “If you think it’s so easy, you do it!” So I borrowed her copy of Story Engineering by Larry Brooks and started planning. It was already mid-October. On November first I began and won that NaNoWriMo and have been writing ever since. I’m just releasing Tested, the fourth book in my Brown Rain series, the eighteenth book I’ve published. I have some others written, but not yet edited or published.

Me: Wow! Busy lady! :-) What's the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Connie: Tested is my latest published book. But I just finished a draft of my fourth cozy mystery series book, Mystery at the Reunion. My Jean Hays series is about a fiftyish woman, retired Air Force and divorced who moves to a small Arizona town to start over. I like writing about an older woman, and yes, she’s a lot like me, though I’ve never found a dead body. Jean is fun and has made friends with a local woman, Karen Carver, and they get into all sorts of adventures together. It’s fun to set up the problems and see how she gets out of them.

Me: That does sound like fun! And diversity in literature is something that should always be encourgaged. ;-) What are you working on now?

Connie: I’m finishing up a fantasy that I’ve been publishing weekly on my website. I have been doing a free, flash fiction (1000 words or less), for about 5 years now. I started off thinking I was just writing a flash or short story, but I’ve been adding to this every week for over 40 weeks now. It’s become a novella. I’m also writing a YA series of novellas set in the current era, which I call All About Bob. Every book’s main character is a Bob or Bobbi. I’ve finished drafting the first one and have four more to do. I plan on putting this into the Kindle Unlimited system when the series is completed.

Me: Sounds great! :-) What authors, or books, have influenced you?

Connie: I discovered science fiction when a childhood friend brought me a whole box of classic science fiction from a paper drive she’d participated in. It was July and I spent the rest of that summer reading every book in that box. I was totally hooked. It had Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein, and all of the other classic authors. That’s what inspired me to start my writing with a science fiction book, Bad Seed. It’s set in the current era and is about what happens if our food is genetically modified.

Me: I agree, sci-fi is a great genre! What are you reading now?

Connie: Right now I’m reading Euphoria Lane, by Tina Swayzee McCright. I attended a small mystery conference with her a couple of years ago and promised her a review. It’s taking me some time but I’m getting to it. The book is part of her Homeowners’ Association Mystery series. And I’m loving the concept.

Me: Cool! And I agree, it's important for us all to support our fellow authors. :-) For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?

Connie: Whatever genre of mine you pick up, SciFi, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Western or YA, I write about characters who are making a difference. Much of my work tends toward promoting the individual over giant corporations or governments. Not preachy but intense! You root for the main character every time.

Me: Stories with a message, I love it! What is your favorite part of being an author?

Connie: I love creating the world, world-building the background. Even in my cozy mystery series, set in a fictional central Arizona town, there’s world-building going on.

Me: World-building is my favorite part of writing, too. :-) Do you have a day job as well?

Connie: I do not have a day job, unless you count the fact that I’m a volunteer for the Payson Book Festival (the Director, actually, since I started the festival) and am a board member of the local Northern Gila County Fair. Both of those are major events and take up a lot of time.

Me: Sounds like it! What are the hardest and easiest part of being an author?

Connie: The easiest part is writing the story. The hardest part is editing.

Me: I think a lot of authors would agree with you there. What genre do you place your book in?

Connie: My newest release, Tested, is a YA Post-Apocalyptic story. Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic stories are a favorite of mine.

Me: I love dystopian fiction too. :-) Is there anything else you’d like to tell your readers?

Connie: Yes! I sell other products on my site under the tab My Books and Other Products. I’ve created mugs with my book covers on them and new for 2018, a calendar. The pictures on the calendar were taken by my husband here in Arizona. Some are from our yard, others from hikes we’ve taken in the area.

Me: How creative! And so these fine folks can find your fun swag, are there any links you’d like me to post?

Connie: I would! My website is www.conniesrandomthoughts.com. You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ConniesRandomThoughts/. On Twitter I’m @ConnieCockrell. On Instagram I’m at https://www.instagram.com/conniesrandomthoughts/. I have a BookBub account as well at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/connie-cockrell (@conniecockrell). Thank you so much for having me on your blog!

Me: Wonderful! You're welcome, and thank you so much for stopping by, today. Thank you to the rest of you who joined us, as well, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the latest in Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#APC #Spotlight: Valentine's Day by C A Keith!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got C A Keith in my APC spotlight, today! C A is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her short ghost story, Valentine's Day, is part of the Ghostly Writes Valentines Anthology 2017, which looks great! Here's the description:

From the minds of writers from around the globe, Plaisted Publishing presents a collection of ghost stories that will chill you, haunt your heart, and steal your soul from eternal devotion to undying love. International authors include: C.A. Keith, Audrina Lane, Karen J. Mossman, Adele Marie Park, Jane Risdon, Jennifer Deese, Lynn Mullican, and a poem from Kyrena Lynch

 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! :-)