Give Thanks...A Favor Asked

 Recently, a friend and fellow author reached out and asked me for a favor. He asked if I'd help with an upcoming literary project--something I've done for my own stories, but never for anyone else. I said yes. It's an honor to be asked.

Because the upcoming project is a continuation of his well-established series, one thing Ben wanted to do is provide me a copy of the previous five novels he's written...

Five novels.

It's an entire world.

I snapped a picture of me holding the entire series and I though how amazing it was that this world included in the pages came from the hard work of my friend. Each volume forwards the adventures of Billy Blacksmith, a gifted child who is called upon to battle evil. I'm almost halfway through the first novel and it's wonderful.

I know what it's like to need help when it comes to literary projects. I've been sitting on two novels for a while, and by "sitting," I mean, they've remained stored digitally inside my computer. I don't know why, but I've have not been able to work on them. Maybe it's because I think they might not be very good and no one would wan to read them. It's so much easier to find faults than it is to see the good. This month, I've dug one story out of the digital mothballs and started to edit it. It's such a long, but needed process.

I'm grateful to be asked the favor and the Ben's kindness to send me all his books--hardcopies at that. He did not need to do that. I could have downloaded the Kindle editions easily enough. I'm grateful someone feels my work is good enough to ask for help. It gives me confidence...much needed confidence.

The project won't be ready for a few months, so I've got a lot of reading to do. So far, I'm loving the story so for me it's a win-win. I'm excited to see how thing whole thing works out.

We're...A Little Bit Softer Now

No, we're not listening to an Isley Brother's hit song...I'm talking about a new home addition that was installed in our home last week.

It's a whole new world.

Before I got married the only thing I knew about water softeners is that we had one in the house where I grew up, only my father passed away before he could hook it up and so it sat unused for decades. I also saw bags of salt for sale at stores and knew that people would buy the salt for their water softeners. After I got married, I found out my wife's family liked and used a water softener. 

Whenever I was at my in-laws house and I'd wash my hands, it always took forever (or so it seemed...) to rinse the soap off my hands. Because I didn't know anything about water softeners, other than what I explained which wasn't much, I was unaware the whole "can't get the soap off my hands" was due to the softener.

It took a while--a few months--for us to get the thing installed. It required a plumber and they're in great demand. We were able to get a hold of one and a week later he came over and put it in.

Just like that.

As the plumber installed the device (which, for some reason, reminds me of Cylon technology...), I asked for his opinions on softeners. He loved them and since we'd already purchased our unit and not from them, I felt he spoke honestly. He said he'd never live in a house without one. Then he said we'll be using much less shampoo. That does me no good, but for the rest of the family, it's a bonus.

We've had softened water for over a week and I can definitely tell a difference (except for the shampoo part...). I'm glad it's in, even though it's still an ordeal to rinse the soap off my hands.

Who Knew...You All Had Such Strong Opinions?

 It was an innocent enough question, or so I thought. I had no idea by simply posting a photo of the limited-time McRib at McDonalds would generate so many comments. I guess I struck a nerve...a delicious (by some people's opinion...) nerve.

My question:

Should I try a McDonalds McRib because I've never tried one and it's only around for a limited time?

Or, should I not?

I posted a picture as my Pic Of The Day and a flood of opinions and comments came back at me, everything from "Yes, definitely," to "I had one twenty years ago and I'm still feeling the effects," to "No--don't do it." It's not that I was dying to try it...more of mild curiosity. We have a McD's a mile or so from our house, but since don't leave the house on a daily basis, I'm not "tempted" while I'm out. I wanted to hear from others to see what they thought of the sandwich.

The votes are in. It was almost a 50/50 split--for an against. Many had some interesting views, some funny, and some frightening.

After all this, I still haven't had one. Since it's a limited time thing, they may be gone and I may have missed my chance...until, next time that is. No, I'm McRib-free. I think I'll stay that way, but since it feels like the world is ending, maybe I'll jump in and give it a try.

What's the worst that can happen?

Kidding--should never say that, especially now.