I haven’t thought of anything much to post about today, but for those of you who are published authors of romance, my RWA chapter is running the Judge-A-Book-By-Its-Cover-Contest again this year for any of you with stellar 2007 covers. We don’t have a YA category yet, which is a shame, because there are some awesome YA covers out there, but there’s discussion of adding the category for next year. The judges are booksellers from all over the world (U.S., U.K., Australia, N.Z. and Canada…I think). And this year, the Borders/Waldenbooks buyer Sue Grimshaw will also be judging. So this is a great opportunity. For more info, click here.

I was also supposed to post on my progress on getting my ‘next’ chapter tied up on Monday. I didn’t. I tied up a bunch of other loose ends on Monday, and then yesterday I worked at Mother’s Day Out and got the weirdest, worst, horrible cramp just below my breastbone for about four hours. * There was no writing during this time. * After it went away, life took over again, and then I had my RWA meeting last night. So I’m working on it today.

At M.D.O. I nearly witnessed a smack-down. There’s this one new girl who apparently is used to getting her way and is always grabbing from the other kids, pushing, screaming, etc. (Otherwise she’s very sweet). And there’s one little girl in particular who gets the brunt of these bad manners. So yesterday, I look over, and the two of them are in the corner, and I watch as the underdog cups her hand around the other’s head and smacks it against the wall. My mouth fell open and my eyes bugged out, and before I could get over there, she did it again. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t pulled her off. Is this just a natural way to fight back, or did she learn this from someone??? Apparently last Thursday I missed the biting, and some other girl pooping all over the bathroom floor. I start working Thursdays only next week. Cross your fingers for me–come on Thursdays!!

Today I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from a mix, and while they’re pretty tasty, they are nothing–NOTHING–like homemade. I had it in my head that I was going to make homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (my husband’s favorite) or molasses crinkles (a personal autumnal favorite of mine). But at the store I started thinking about how busy I am and how any time it would require to make and bake those cookies would take precious time away from something else, and I bought a mix. Don’t get me wrong, they’re pretty good, but it just isn’t the same.

As far as cookies goes, I’m very particular. I hardly like any pre-packaged store-bought cookies, Pepperidge Farm being the main exception, and even bakery cookies just don’t hit the spot. I’m wary too of other people’s cookies–I don’t really understand this except to say that I’ve been burned before. So I’m left with my own cookies and my mom’s. And since I don’t see my mom all that often, it’s up to me. And today I went with the storebought…

finished in a jiff, and managed to watch half of Dancing With the Stars and that new program Samatha Who? LOVED the dancing, particularly the Paso Dobles–even my sons were wowed. And the new show has potential. All in all, maybe it was a good decision.

And just look at this cover! I love it, and I have a soft spot for Christmas stories–I want it, I want it! I’m forever impressed with Eloisa James, but she’s one of those authors whose books make me work for it. She has so many characters I often get lost and confused, but I’m nonetheless VERY impressed with how well she manages them all and how truly unique her stories are. I’ve heard her speak, and she’s also impressive in person.

My mother sent me a link (to a link) of Blog Action Day. I read up on it and decided to say my piece. Technically I’m supposed to say it tomorrow, Oct. 15, but I like to get a jump on things.

So I’m supposed to blog about the environment–one aspect or issue that I feel strongly about. I would have to say, without question, that my hot-button topic is littering. I cannot ABIDE littering. Any of it, all of it, is just nasty, unsanitary, unsightly, and flat-out disgusting. And people seem so oblivious. Not only the litterers but anyone else that can walk by a piece of trash and not even consider picking it up. It’s as if it’s just a part of the world and everyday life. But it isn’t, and it doesn’t have to be. People can be more careful and notice when a trash can is too full for their trash instead of dumping it in anyway and letting it blow away. They can pick up the occasional bit of litter and beautify just one small corner of the world. They can teach their children the importance of cleaning up after themselves and not just letting that candy wrapper blow away in the wind. They can stop throwing trash in the storm drains that flow out into the oceans. They can smarten and stop littering in public parks, on public beachs, and in protected areas. HOW CAN WE ENJOY NATURE WHEN THERE’S A RED BULL CAN LYING AROUND??? And to save the biggest offense (in my opinion) for last, they can stop treating the world like a giant ash tray. Ideally, everyone would stop smoking, but that’s the subject for another post. If they can’t do that, then they should at least strive to throw their cigarette butts in the trash and not on the ground or out their car windows. I so wish the police would start ticketing for that…

So I challenge you to try, to consider this: when you see a piece of trash, consider that by picking it up, it’s one piece of trash that bunches of other people don’t have to see. Pay it forward.