Archive | November 2020

It Might Not Be This Cold, but…

I took the original of this cute little penguin at the Omaha zoo.

I did have to turn on the heat. It was about 30 this morning.

So I’ve been watching Survivor–the reality show where they are to beat each other in challenges to be the winner of 100K. It’s interesting to see the manipulations–the strategies: keep the stronger players to ensure they can win the rewards as a team and don’t have to keep voting off their team members, or get rid of the stronger players so they can win against the weaker members to get to the final three. At the final three, some of the ones kicked off earlier vote to decide who wins.

It’s a throw of the dice, though it sure seemed in the beginning of the series it was rigged as to who would win and my mother and kids and I quit watching it after a couple of seasons. Back in those days, you couldn’t watch the whole thing through in a few days. It was a week in between, ads, the works. So it’s kind of fun watching it this way. It’s interesting to see characterization under pressure, for writing in stories too.

The 2 recent seasons I had watched had the same theme–the winner was the guy who back-stabbed the most, therein playing the game the “best.” I think something is lost on that. I like the idea of the best strategist, but all around well-rounded, can be effective in helping their team win the challenges, can work around camp so they have a fire, food, and shelter, and a well-liked person should win. The one who keeps forging ahead, no matter the insurmountable odds. The one who can be a leader or a team player, whatever is called for. Who knows his/her strengths and weaknesses. Not the one who is behind the scenes playing everyone against everyone. They often haven’t won hardly any challenges at all to move their team along. They’re the con-artists, the manipulators. They’re really not survivors, but users, in my book. In fact, some will say they’re not going to work because they have to save themselves for the challenges.

I’ve been watching a more interesting season of winners or near winners who are in this challenge together and I had only watched 2 more recent seasons and was surprised to see some of the same faces I saw in those 2 earlier episodes.

At the end where the people who were kicked off and judge the final three, it sounds like they’re reading off a script. And if it’s not more sincere than that, if they have to vote by some rigid criterion set by the producer–which means, rottenest person who survived wins, it’s not for me.

One of the characters I really like is this extremely muscled black grave digger. He is so funny, and really good at the physical challenges. He ended up with two immunity necklaces, didn’t believe anyone was going to vote him off and didn’t use either one of them on the earlier season. He’s just fun. So in this one, the poor guy tears a leg muscle and they vote him out. He was calling this other guy an old fat Superman who had no muscle and didn’t win any of the challenges. I didn’t see him as fat, but James was right. He hadn’t won any challenges. Ironically, James had beat both him and another guy in the previous challenge despite the leg brace. The other guy knew they were going to vote him off, but when they did a little foot race to see if James could beat another guy on their team–JT, just to see if he needed to go, James couldn’t beat him. He was struggling to run because of his injury.

Now, one of the reasons they let him go also was because of his banana etiquette. He asked, “There’s a banana etiquette?”

A friend of his told him he needed to bring bananas back to the camp for everyone who wanted one, not just take one for himself. In the earlier show, they were trying to keep an alliance of their people and vote off the people who were from the other team, and he kept saying, “You can run around naked, but don’t bite the apple. Just leave that apple alone. So what do they do? They eat the apple!” He was so mad, but personality-wise and since he really works hard for a team effort and as an individual and one of the biggest contributors to working at the camp and keeping them fed and the fire going, etc., I would love to see him win.

Then there’s JT and he did win on that season, conniving, backstabbing, I would love to see him go. He just makes friends with everyone and walks away with the prize. Anorexic Courtney won one challenge in that earlier season, never can do anything, she’s a total liability, sits out for most challenges and she ended up in the final 3. Shaking head. I hope she never wins. She’s a coat-tail hanger-on. She never did anything, never helped with camp, nothing. Maybe this time she’ll be eliminated before the final 3. One can hope.

So with that said, I need to get to work and back to writing. lol

Have a super lovely day, no rain today for us!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
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Butterfly, Butterfly

The 2nd photo is the original I took walking along the cliffs of a beach in San Diego. I loved how the butterfly was white on white and how the background was perfectly blurred to set them off in-camera. The first version is the hand-painted version. I painted the background, flower, butterfly, then added some Heather the Painter overlays–veils and a high key overlay.

At 3:30, I was coughing my head off again and got up and was on the computer for about an hour, and then went back to bed and was thinking about Christmas Cougar Calamity. How come they had to stay on the North Shore for Christmas? And then, after trying to figure this out for weeks, I had it! Could I remember it?

I laid awake with scenes rolling through my head. Shoot! I had to write it down.

I needed to sleep. It was 5 am already and the dogs would want to go out soon. I wasn’t coughing.

I had to write it down because if I didn’t, I would forget it. The story won out. I wrote until 5:30, I think, and then I turned off the light and closed my eyes, thought about the story some more, drifted off, woke at 6, Max was stirring and fussing. But I was soooooo tired, so sunk into my pillow, not coughing and yes, I could have easily gotten up, but I suspected if I just stayed in bed, if I ignored the dogs, I might really sleep.

At 8:15, I woke. I was shocked. I knew I was tired after nights of not sleeping and I really needed that. I never sleep that late unless I’m sick. But the good news is I don’t have COVID-19, just a bad cold.

The bad news is, with the way our infection rates are going and hospitals are filling to capacity, no one is safe.

We had 5 inches of rain! I just brought in my basil plant. It’s supposed to be 30 degrees in the morning. I’ve never grown it before, not sure it will make it inside, but it’s potted with another plant that has to be indoors when it’s cold, so we shall see. At least, if it survives, it will be easy to reach to cut and use in meals! And my house has a hint of basil fragrance.

I turned in my proofing of The Wolf Wore Plaid yesterday.

Have a great day! I think we’re getting sun today. I’m off to write!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…

water droplets on glass window
Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Haven’t I written this blog yet? lol

It’s been raining for the most of two days. I love it.

Whoops, got sidetracked again. I’ve been washing all my Christmas decorations of dust and proofing Wolf Wore Plaid, 75 pages to go, and trying to redo a futile picture for the art class. About to give up on it. For the fur class, the brushes are different, and give a different background brush look. So I’m trying to pass a background one from the other class, but had used one of my wolves for a drop-in subject, and it’s not painted in properly. Give me an overlay, and I’m good. lol

So when I tried to do the painting course and blending the wolf with the fur course brushes with the background, it screwed up the whole background for the assignment, and I don’t think it works anyway for even the fur course. We can’t have two review pictures up at the same time, even if I’m in two different courses. So I’ve never been able to get my fur pictures critiqued. And we have just a year, or we have to pay for the whole course again. No way. That’s why I’m frustrated.

But I’m off to work on the story some more. NEED to finish proofing Wolf, and I am turning in the hopeless wolf picture that I know will be rejected. And at this point, I’m shrugging. I’m not an artist. I love doing the artwork. She’s an artist and I’m sure she gets frustrated with those of us who “don’t get it.” Even though you’re not supposed to be able to draw a stick person and do this.

Truly, I have enough stress in my life from book deadlines. I don’t need it for doing artwork, when normally, I love creating pictures!

Have a super day!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Black Friday!

Arctic Wolf at a Reserve in Omaha. I took the photo and painted him in Photoshop.

I wonder what it will be like this year. Crowds of people filling shops? Or ordering online like crazy?

The word has gone out that you need to order early for Christmas because when they start shipping vaccines, mail is going to get bogged down.

I’m still working on Wolf Wore Plaid proofing. This cold has really knocked me for a loop because of all the coughing at night and lack of sleep. I’m feeling better today. Still no appetite, which is a good thing. I’m a 1/3 of the way done. Hopefully, I’ll make more progress today.

Started putting up Christmas decorations and put away all the fall stuff. But I need to finish this proofing, so I’ll probably do a little bit of decorating at a time. The fun part about Thanksgiving, and we did have a great time! Leftovers! Turkey, gravy, potatoes, carrots, green bean casserole, fresh made cranberry jelly, yes!

On the shifter stories, I will be introducing bear shifters into the jaguar/wolf mix. It’s time to expand their world. And I’m adding bears to the cougar mix.

Have a great day, I’m off to proof some more!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

I Am Thankful

person slicing meat on white ceramic plate
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I’m thankful to all those who work on the frontlines–who give of themselves daily, and often with a smile and a word of welcome. I’m thankful to those who wear a mask out of consideration for their fellow humans in an effort to keep themselves and others safe. I’m thankful to be here still to share a feast with my family that live close by, since we’re together all the time, but I had to share this quote, unknown: Zoom Thanksgiving beats an ICU Christmas.

I’m thankful I could finally get Covid-19 testing when for months and months we couldn’t. It’s not rapid, but it’s better than nothing.

Happy Thanksgiving, and to those who don’t celebrate, have a beautiful day, and stay safe!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Turkey for Thanksgiving

roasted turkey on white ceramic plate
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I’m still dealing with this cold, sinus congestion, etc, but we’re looking forward to having turkey lunch for Thanksgiving. We were going to have my son-in-law’s parents here, but with the pandemic and all the health officials saying that it’s not a good idea, it will be just our small family since we’re together all the time because I take care of my granddaughter so much.

Hope you have a great day! I’m still feeling wiped out, but want to get more done on the book if I can.

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

The 10th Anniversary Release of Wolf Fever is Out!

Old Wolf Fever–Cats Are Not Sure What to Make of It!

Book 2 in Terry Spear’s Silver Town Wolf Series

She may be his destiny, but she’s not his first choice

Hospital nurse and newly turned red werewolf Carol Woods is being pressured by her pack leader to find a mate, but he’s the only guy in the pack who remotely attracts her.

Why is he playing so hard to get?

The fate of the pack rests on his shoulders

Gray pack leader Ryan McKinley doesn’t want anything to do with Carol unless she’s willing to embrace her wolf nature-no matter how beautiful she is.

But when a virus infects the local lupus garou pack, Ryan realizes just how wrong he’s been not to seize the moment with the woman he’s come to love. And now, it may be too late…

Silver Town Wolf Series:
Destiny of the Wolf (Book 1)
Wolf Fever (Book 2)
Dreaming of the Wolf (Book 3)
Silence of the Wolf (Book 4)
A Silver Wolf Christmas (Book 5)

Praise for Terry Spear’s To Tempt the Wolf :
“Ms. Spear’s has spun a web of drama that pulled me in… Get it; read it; you’ll love it!” –Romance Reader at Heart
“A paranormal romp that sizzles! Action-packed romance and suspense-filled plot add up to pure magic. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Terry Spear is a great addition to the paranormal genre!” –Armchair Interviews

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolf-fever-terry-spear/1020442156

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Terry_Spear_Wolf_Fever?id=DIqFPZ02V2sC

Amazon Australia: http://www.amazon.com.au/Wolf-Fever-Heart-Terry-Spear-ebook/dp/B004DCB33Y

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/wolf-fever/id406234143

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/wolf-fever

Still under the weather today. I know this is just a head cold and sinus issues, but with the state of the world we’re in today and just to make sure it’s nothing more and they now have some testing places for it when they haven’t in the past, I’ll take a COVID-19 test. No rapid tests available, so I won’t know for 3-4 days. I will be staying home during that time, just in case.

I don’t know how many cases I’ve heard where someone doesn’t feel well, gets the testing, then runs all over the place, then a few days later learn they have the virus. Really?

Off to put the word out about the book release. I’ve been feeling so poorly, I just didn’t even think about it until this morning–after I wrote another blog, so set it up for tomorrow to post.

Have a great day and stay safe.

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

2 Swans a Swimming

I took the photo at the zoo in Waco some years ago and then I painted the photo using brushes in Photoshop.

I managed 1500 words yesterday on the story. I’m 500 short of my goal for 70K. Now I just need to finish it! Easier said than done. lol But that’s really the fun part. Finishing it so I can really edit a whole book and make it better.

Tomorrow Wolf Fever, the 10th Anniversary Release is out!!!

Have a lovely day!!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Snow Leopard

I have 3 snow leopards in my polar bear series, 3 brothers that I want to write about. This is a photo I took in Omaha, and the snow leopard is Photoshop painted, then added Daily Texture winter overlays.

I managed to get my 2,000 word count yesterday for Cougar Christmas yesterday, despite feeling miserable. I had an awful sore throat for the last 3 days and all through the night. I knew every time I swallowed, it hurt so bad. Then I think I finally was so tired, I fell asleep. This morning, my throat feels much better. I’ve coughed for the last two days, headaches, sinus issues. I’m hoping by Thanksgiving Day I’ll be feeling better. I think it’s just a cold. Little one gave it to me from her daycare. At least I hope that’s all it is.

I’ve been editing through the story, making changes to fit other changes I made later on, but have some ideas I need to start writing in the story. Still need to do the proofing on The Wolf Wore Plaid.

Have a great day! I’m off to get mine started!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Wolf Fever 10th Anniversary Release Up Next!

I turned in Dreaming of the Wolf 10th Anniversary edits, yay! And immediately got The Wolf Wears Plaid edits. lol

But next Tuesday Wolf Fever 10th Anniversary release comes out, so I was working on the video trailer and I was editing Cougar Christmas Calamity.

My granddaughter gave me her cold, so I’m feeling under the weather. I’m going to try and get plenty of fluids and rest so I’ll feel better by Thanksgiving. After picking her up from daycare yesterday, I won’t be taking care of her until the week following Thanksgiving–though Momma said I could take her overnight if I wanted–lol–no. Not when I feel this bad and I have another deadline to take care of it. It’s easy, final read for proofing on the Highland wolf, so no problem. Little one was so cute. She didn’t want to go to a birthday party at the daycare because she wanted to come home with Grandma. She really is a sweetie.

So when I was trying to work on Wolf Fever’s video, I’d just finished edits on Dreaming of the Wolf, set in the summer in Colorado. I was thinking flowers, butterflies. Whoops, wrong book. I had the right story line for Wolf Fever, wrong season. Fall? Was it fall? Nope, spring, so it was still cold at night and in the mornings. I have to look up temperatures for an area I write about because for me, Spring–like Feb/March, we have flowers, then flowers all summer long through the fall, and it’s warm, stormy sometimes, but it’s not the same in Colorado. Then I’m working on Cougar Christmas and it’s cold, winter, snow, Christmas, North Shore. No wonder I get confused about the seasons in a particular book.

I was out this morning, finally feeding the poor birds, found lots of monarch caterpillars on the milkweed, so took pictures of them, got rid of a bunch of milkweed bugs and took a picture of flowers flowering that had just been too hot in the summer and now are blooming again. One sunflower that is about 10 feet tall, or taller, finally bloomed! It’s from a seed carried by birds since I hadn’t planted any there.

I’m off to try and write. I only managed 300 words of my 2,000 on Cougar Christmas Calamity yesterday, just felt lousy. I feel the same way today. If I can’t write, I’ll start proofing the other book so I can turn it in before Thanksgiving.

Have a great day!!!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP