What I'm Doing in 2020

Happy wet night my friends,

Well this week I'm just gonna take a page from Running in a Skirt and just mention what I've been up to lately.

Tube Tales

From Christmas to New Year's actually this morning too I was watching Doctor Who. New Years day I watched the Rose Parade for a bit and some Firefly and the new Doctor Who! I'll talk more new Who Monday after part two of the first episode airs.

Online I've been watching  Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch. I needed a break from Critical Role and decided to try this show. It's hilarious I have to admit. Puppets bashing on Travis' sidekick Brian and also games it's a fun time.
I've also watched some of the cooking episode Christy Carson Ramano does on her channel. I love getting to see old favorites on the show.

Book Journeys

I've been working through the last book of Amanda Churi's The Twisted Trilogy. I'm interested in how this series ends. I usually don't like the epic fantasy format, but this is not been a bad one. The past two books I seem to start around Christmas time.

Video Games

I was playing some Neverwinter last month. So excited to see Minsc from Baulder's Gate in this game.  I had to start playing this cause D & D online won't work in my new PC for some reason.
Lately since Fangirl got me the Showtime expansion I've been playing Sims 3. I've mostly been playing an acrobat. I love doing the live gigs. I also love performing for tips, the juggling acts you can do. The particular Sim I did was made with a B*Witched vibe I guess you could say.

Jamming To

My sister Econut has started a new podcast called Trout's Skool of Life where she is gonna post a new positive lesson she learns each day. So go check her out, there's already some good stuff there.

Been listening to songs of my past on Spotify. They lift the spirit. Also been jamming to the mp3 player. Right now checking out Taylor Swift's Lover.

Munching
Still eating on the goodies from Christmas. I dread to see the scale at the Doctor's office. Momma cooks a lot for the holidays.

Holiday Haul
Some of the things I got included a couple seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nail polish, a cute plush penguin, drawing pads and holo notebooks to fill with my scribblings.

So hope the weekend treats you good, live it too the most, and God bless.
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

The Ninja Writer's Library: It's a Mystery

Hello my book loving Friends,

This is the final post of 2019 and the final one of the decade! The theme surrounding these books is one of mystery. I really got on a mystery kick for the last part of the year. So sit back and enjoy the ride through mysteries.

Some Enchanted Eclair (A Magical Bakery Mystery) by Bailey Cates

Here we have a woman named Katie Lightfoot who is a witch who along with her witch Aunt own a bakery where they work their magic on the peeps of Savannah. She's also part of a coven who call themselves the Spellbook Club. The bakery is hired to cater a movie that's being filmed nearby, but while on set the man who hired them ends up dead. Katie, who has been involved in other murders. and her coven are trying to solve it.
This book reminds me of the Witch City Mystery series in some ways, except in the south. The main character is close with her aunt, there's mystical pets, and a boyfriend trying to cope with their girlfriend's abilities. There's some magic, seances, and twist you don't see coming. I defiantly would add this to my books to get list.

Dead and Breakfast (A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery) by Kate Kingsbury

Melanie West has decided to go into the Bed and Breakfast business with her Grandmother Liza Harris. While renovating they come across a skeleton in their walls, which throws a monkey wrench in their plans. Soon they find themselves knee deep into a cold case mystery, new troubles, and a possible ghost.

This was a difficult read in the beginning, so it made for a slow read. I eventually got into it more as I was reading it during a battle heavy Critical Role episode. For some reason the Grandmother got on my nerves at times when she was pushing her granddaughter to do stuff surrounding the mystery. It's an ok story, even though one part of the story rehashed a fear I have, it was still ok. I also thought the romance blossomed out of nowhere.

So if you like mysteries or stories that take place in the Pacific Northwest that have nothing to do with sparkly vampires then check it out.

Perilous Poetry (A Book Barn Mystery) by Kym Roberts

Charlie Warren's cousin makes an app that is going to bring sales, and a big time mystery author to her store. Unfortunately a string of murders is linked to the app and author which could jeopardize everything.

This was a good mystery. It had me guessing till the end. I liked the bookstore setting and the pet pink armadillo, Princess. As with a lot of books lately took a while to get into it, but I'm starting to believe it's just me and not the works.

We have another story with a woman trying to figure out who to be with between two guys. It's just something I've come across in a lot of books I've seen over the years, and I'm not crazy about. Plus I really think her choice should be obvious and let the other guy go despite the history. Another thing that grinded my gears was the pushy people pushing Charlie to do things and people sticking their nose into her business. It's like maybe she doesn't feel like going to the bar on football night or doesn't feel right going to a funeral of a guy she hardly knew. I mean for story's sake she had to be at these places, but it felt like people were forcing her to go and she just gave in. Of course given it was family and friends I see how that can happen.

Charms and Chocolate Chips (A Magical Bakery Mystery) by Bailey Cates

Once more we have Katie Lightfoot and her magical bakery. In this novel she has been volunteering at a place that tries to help endangered wildlife, when she ends up finding the head of the group dead in her office. Unfortunately Katie also appears to be a target of the killer.

This book takes place before the previous one I mentioned, I didn't realize the library had more. The beginning of the book we have an Imbolic celebration which like the rest of the book seemed cozy as is said of the world on the website. Despite the murder and the danger our friends find themselves in, it is becoming a cozy world.

Now in this one there's also two guys competing for Katie's affections, but Katie done made her choice, so it doesn't bug me as much in this book, the other guy is just stubborn.
This was another good mystery that had me guessing till the end. If you love a little magic with your mystery check this out.

Antiques Maul (A Trash 'n' Treasure Mystery) by Barbara Allan

Brandy  Borne  has decided to open an antiques booth with her mother, the over dramatic Vivian. Sadly things go wrong when the building's owner is found dead seemingly killed by a pit bull. Soon Mom is trying to prove the dog's innocence while Brandy's son is visiting.

I decided to check this book cause it said it was funny, which it did have some funny. We have a cast of quirky characters which made for an interesting read once I got into it. There's "Trash 'n' Treasure" Tips for getting into Antiques. The main character is also found giving tips on other facts of life.
The murder is hinted at in the beginning of chapter one, then it's 97 pages of back story to get back to the murder. Then it seemed to move too quick to the reveal.

Death Overdue (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook
Carrie Singleton who works at the local library gets a promotion and at the first event has the speaker die mysteriously. So she makes it her mission to find his killer.
Yeah I eventually DNF'd this book. I just felt myself forcing myself to read it. The first meeting with the library ghost was too abrupt. Then there was things that just grinded my gears. People assuming you hit thirty you have to settle down. Then the Character just giving in to her boss' demands to change her look just cause she got a promotion.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Deep Water by Laura Anne Gilman and Josepha Sherman

This isn't a mystery novel exactly, but the gang is having to figure out a mystery so it counts here. Plus I want to get all my reviews for the 2019 books in this last post. There's an oil spill on a beach near Sunnydale and Willow Rosenberg goes to help save the animals and finds a selkie in human form who is unable to change back. So Willow takes her to the Scooby Gang to see if they can help. The spill also forces to the surface a group of Merrows who want to get revenge and eat on the former prey of their people.

I'm biased but I love reading a Buffy tale I haven't seen or read before. I was reading the final book in Amanda Churi's The Twisted Trilogy for my thirtieth read this year, but it's lengthy so I knew I wouldn't finish it, so I decided to take a break from it and make this quick Buffy read my final finished book of 2019 and the decade.

Ok this section may contain spoilers, you are warned. I love we get an epic beach battle Merrows vs Vampires for the fate of the Sunnydale food supply of humans with the Scooby Gang in the middle trying to take them all out while trying to send a selkie girl home. I also like Buffy utilizing a sharpened peace of drift wood for a stake.

Whew that's a lot of books. Well I reach thirty books this year, that seems to be my average. I also DNF'd a bunch of books this year. I think next year I'll shoot for thirty and may start keeping a log of how many pages I read next year. Thogh it'll be tricky since I'll be finishing one I started in 2019 in 2020.

I hope you all have a good New Year, stay safe, and God bless you!

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

Artsy Fartsy Time: Gift for Jesus 2019

Happy Friday my friends,

It's the final Friday post of 2019 and the decade. Sorry for the radio silence. This holiday days ran together, there really wasn't anything to write about, and the Mental Health Hydra reared it's heads. But I am back with a couple posts to close out the new year.
Today we are gonna talk about my yearly Christmas tradition of making a gift for Jesus. I had thought of writing another poem, but inspiration was lacking. Well while diving in my craft drawer I found some CD art I never finished and was inspired to make an art piece:

I took a CD and traced around it on a piece of black construction paper. After cutting out the circle I hole punched various holes in it then glued it on the CD's rainbow side. Then I cut a circle of yellow paper and pasted it in the middle. I was gonna use the baby party favors I've been using for a while now for Christmas themed gifts, but I couldn't find them. so I had to make my own. I wadded up a couple balls of paper for the body and the head, and glued strips of paper around it till I got a babyish shape and let it dry. Then I painted it with brown with a water color set I have, the with a blue marker colored a "blanket" on. Then drew an ink face on him. After it dried I glued the baby in the center. With a blue marker I wrote Merry Christmas. That's how you make this years gift.

I had a good Christmas, visited, and was visited by, family. We had good food and had some good gifts. If you celebrate I hope yours was good.
Are you guys having a good holiday? What have you guys been up to? Let me know in the comments.
I hope you have a good week, make art, and God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

The Ninja Writer's Library- Ghostbusters Comics

Happy Wednesday Book Nerds,

At the end of last month I read three Ghostbuster comics, which is good considering it was that spooky time of year. So let's get to my reviews.

Ghostbusters (2011-2012) by Erik Burnman

In this comic series we return to the familiar world of the Ghostbusters. We find Ray is being haunted in his dreams by his decision of the traveler's form in the first movie, and Gozer trying to return. We see old familiar specters and new ones. It blends well to the established universe thus far.
We also learn the creepy museum creator from the second movie has a sister and nephew. I mean obviously he would have family, but you don't think about these things.

I was kinda amused with one panel with the ghost of Ellen Gold the spirit of a orphanage headmistress who lobbed the spirits of her children at the guys. Yes grim, but just amused my macabre side.

I devoured this book in one night, I mean it's a comic book, but I was interested in the story too.

Ghostbusters (2011-2012) Vol. 2 by Erik Burnman

In this edition of the Ghostbusters Walter Peck being over the Ghostbusters now has imposed physical health regulations on the boys forcing Peter to actually go to the gym, he's also imposed other limitations on the boys limiting their work. Basically Peck being the jerk he's always been. But the gang with orders from the governor are sent to Schenectady, NY to deal with a major event in a theme park, where Peter proves to have the perfect mind to take on the entity. Egon is also faced with a face from the past that helped him get into paranormal research.

Didn't eat this one up as quickly, but still good. There was a creep factor in this one, I mean creepy possessed kid, always creepy. I felt sorry for the ghost of the elderly woman at the rest home. She just wanted her son to visit. *sad face*

It was also cool seeing a story about Tobin who wrote the spirit guide. There's a face to the name now.

Ghostbusters (2011-2012) Haunted America Vol. 3 by Erik Burnman

In this book the Ghostbusters take America. Detroit, New Orleans, Roswell and Seattle all get help from the boys. The guys deal with and army, a Voodoo priestess, alien ghosts, and a musician that's on fire. Their rolling round in an RV that resembles the Ecto 1 with a travel containment unit, yeah that doesn't have potential disaster written on it.

We see Ray have a deep moment with a solider which makes me wonder if he or a family member was in the military. There's also a moment a women who's not quite alive tells Egon he's not alive, that's gotta sting a bit, but given Egon it probably rolled of his back. I am curious what the voodoo priestess gave Egon and how it's gonna be helpful later. Ray pulls something out of the Winchester playbook against some zombies, which is actually something I've read before as a way to get rid of zombies, though my theory it'd only be the mystically resurrected kind, not a viral type zombie outbreak.

We also see Egon argue with a alien believer over if the things in Roswell are alien in nature or ghostly, it was amusing. Something I didn't bring up with the other two books yet is that Ray's Occult Book Store is still open run by a Goth girl named Kylie, who has become another source of info for the guys, which I think is cool.

What are you guys reading this week? Anything good? Let me know in the comments.
Well I hope you guys are having a good week, read lots of books, and God bless you!

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer 

Other Places To Find Me

Happy Friday Friends,

It's been a cold week here in the backwoods. We got an inch of snow the other day. I've been trying to read some and watched some more Critical Role. I had a rough time yesterday with the mental health hydra. So since nothing much has gone on I though I'd share with you the some of the other places you can find me.

Twitter- I like this this for those short thoughts or observations one may have in the day they want to share. I update on there every so often.

Tumblr- This is suppose to be where I do the brain dumps I did on here at one time. I need to get better about updating on this site. I've been trying.

Instagram- Since I finally got a device that I could get the app to post I've been happily posting pictures. I mostly post pictures of the sky and mountains on there, but I recently started posting poetry on there;

Goodreads- I have a Goodreads account where you can see the books I've read, and write reviews, which I also do here, but friend me if you wish.

Smith Magazine's Six World Memoirs- Every so often I post a six word memoir on here so browse through the past ones I've done, some are Editor's Picks. I think they are the ones surrounded in a blue box.

Facebook- I do have a Facebook I do for Once Upon a Bologna Sandwich, that I mostly share links to the new posts. I'm debating if I should keep this. It was where I did my Year Long Poetry project.

Deviantart- I post art, stories, and poetry at times on here. I have comics here that aren't the best quality, but I hope are still funny. I have some early versions of some poems that have been edited into their final versions since the posting.

Pinterest- Lastly is my pinterest page which has a lot of pins and boards.  Some of the boards I've shred on here, so if you have one follow me there.

Well that's about everything I post to. I have a YouTube, but I have only one video, and until I get more chances to do readings I don't look for much to go on it, but you can view the video in the media section of my official webpage.

I hope your weekend is good, share your life, and God bless you.

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer and Vampire >vv< Kitty

Maleficent and Japanese Snack Food

Happy cold Friday my peeps,
So Fangirl and I went out Wednesday. It was a nice sunny day. As we were driving along we saw a truck hauling a air balloon basket which I thought was wierd, but then again this is Asheville. Also saw a license plate being held on with the aid of duct tape. Whatever it takes to fix something I guess.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
After some Chinese food we went to see Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. It was an ok movie. I thought seeing more of fae kind was cool. They are a very varied bunch. It wasn't a bad movie, but not extra ordinary for me. I actually was get scrimy in my seat wanting the movie to be done. Keep in mind I have anxiety that sometimes it comes with not being able to sit still long or I need to have something to do while I'm watching something.

Japanese Sweets
We malled afterward which only consisted of two stores Hot Topic and Box Lunch. At Hot Topic Fangirl got a couple of of Japanese snack foods. One was a wafer fish with chocolate in it that was good, Fangirl says it's a fake Taiyaki. But my favorite was the red bean paste wrapped in mochi. Oh my gosh that was so good. I love things with red bean paste. Poor Fangirl had to do battle with the packaging to open it, but it was worth it

New Poetic Avenues
It was a therapy/girl's day out, as they usually are. My therapist did suggest an awesome way to get my poetry out, by using Instagram. I've already posted a couple, so click the link on the right side and check that out.

I hope you guys have a good weekend, stay warm, and God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

After Halloween 2019

Happy Friday my friends,

Today I bring you the after Halloween report. First let's back up to the day before Halloween when we carved our pumpkins.

On the left is my Pop Star Pumpkin on the right is my parents'. We use large orange Christmas lights instead of candles. It's safer, and brighter, but I miss the candle flicker.

Halloween we watched the old Halloween staples Garfield's Halloween Adventure, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and The Midnight Hour.
As we watched we feasted on a ghoulish meal. Red mash potato brain, green mac and cheese, monster fingers, and ham:

The ham was dressed up to look like a mouse:

And much to our surprise and my Mom's delight it started snowing. It snowed enough to get the truck white. So guess that's nature's Halloween trick on us.

So how'd ya guys spend your Halloween, let me know in the comments.

Have a good weekend, eat lots of candy, and God bless you.
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer