Mad as a Wet Hen

Here's another interesting idiom.  And I'm not so sure it really is accurate.  I mean, I've seen wet hens before and they weren't angry.  Maybe it has something to do with the origins of the saying. Again, I'm not so sure on this but it's cute.

Seems like when hens get into the "I'm gonna hatch me some eggs" mindset it takes a lot to get 'em out of it.  Even if you gather all the eggs. So, what you do is dunk her in a bucket of water.  Now, it takes several times for this to change her mind and apparently after the third or fourth dunking she gets seriously ticked off. But at least she goes back to laying instead of sitting around.

So, while Mad as a Hatter tends to mean crazy, Mad as a Wet Hen mends very angry.  Don't you just love March Madness!

Picture by Linda Silvestri. 

Marching to the Beat of a Different Drummer

I don't know about you,, but I've always done things my own way.  At least when I can.  I've never followed the "in crowd" or done things just 'cause they were "cool" either. And that's okay. It's one of the things that makes us special, helps us stand out from everyone else.

I call it being an independent thinker and it's one thing I've tired to teach my kids.  As my dad used to say, "Just because everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?" Naturally, I had to tell him it depended on why they were jumping off.  I mean, I can think of several good reasons to jump off a bridge...like Gozilla on one end and Mothra on the other and you're in the middle of what will soon be a battleground.  Best to get out of the way.

The saying "marching to the beat of a different drummer" comes from the writings of Henry David Thoreau, who wrote:


"If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away."

I think Thoreau and I might have gotten along.

What about you?  Do you march to the beat of a different drummer?

And just because it's March Madness, leave a reason to jump off a bridge in the comments and the best will win something special.

Mad as a Hatter

I love words...it's a writer thing. I like discovering their roots, where they came from and so forth.  I also love colorful sayings such as "mad as a hatter." But have you ever wondered why hatters were mad?

Seems like at one time, mercury was used in the making of hats.  Naturally, hatters were in contact with the toxic metal a lot so were basically poisoned.  Apparently the effects of mercury poisoning is trembling, shakes, wild, aggressive mood swings and unsocial behavior which gave the appearance of madness. 

Of course, the most well-known mad hatter is from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  I remember reading the book as a youth and watching several movie versions.  While I haven't seen the latest version, I love the Disney's animated version they released in 1951. Gee...now I really do feel old.  Sigh...

I think I need to read the book again. :-)

Don't forget to play my version of March Madness.  Details here!

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

I like the month of March.  It's one of those unpredictable months for us in east Texas.  Not winter, not quite spring.  Yet we get a little of both and sometimes some summer.  For example, yesterday the temp made it up to 80. Driving around town, I had the windows down and the breeze blowing in my hair. Later I had a tangled mess to deal with but that's okay. Some days a lion, some a lamb.

Seems with all the storms happening the last couple days, especially in Missouri and Kansas that March is coming in like a lion. And while the going out like a lamb part is unknown at this time, we can hope that spring and its milder nature isn't far from us.

Here's some interesting "March" stuff.

March was originally the first month of the year and but when we went to the "Gregorian" calendar in 1752, January became first. March was named after the Roman god of war, Mars.

There are several weather related sayings for March.  

* In like a lion, out like a lamb. 

* As it rains in March, so it rains in June.   Maybe we should keep some notes just to see how this one works out.

* March winds and April showers? Bring forth May flowers

The Bloodstone and Aquamarine are the birthstones for March. The flower of the month is the Violet.

On March 1st Ohio (1803) and Nebraska (1867) became states.

Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836.

Florida, Maine and Vermont also became states in March.

Sam Houston, Alexander Graham Bell and Robert Frost were born in March, just to name a few.

 

So, what's your favorite thing about March?  Does March hold any special significance for you?

Don't forget to join my March Madness. 

March Madness

That's right, it's time for March Madness.  Thing is, I really don't care for basketball.  So, I've decided to play my own version of March Madness, without the basketball. And in this game, you're the winner.

Here's the prizes:

5 Amazon gift cards for $25 - one every week
5 Paracord Survival Bracelets - handmade in your choice of colors - one each week
Books - not sure which ones yet, but they'll be good
Chocolate - how could we not include chocolate

Grand Prize Surprise (I'm not telling - will be drawn on April 15.) 

Complete an item on the list below to earn entries in the drawing.
 For single entries:
* Leave a review on Amazon
* Leave a review on Goodreads

For double entries:
* Share a link to this post on Twitter
* Share a link to this post on Facebook
* Share links to upcoming blog posts during the month of March on Facebook and/or Twitter.
* Follow me on Twitter and/or here on the blog.

For 5 entries, purchase an e-copy of Six Pack of Murder by Jean Lauzier (That would be me.)

For 10 entries, purchase a paperback copy of Six Pack of Murder.

To collect these entries, just email and let me know you left a review and where.  For the Twitter and Facebook entries, you can "tag" my name in your Facebook post and automatically see it.  For Twitter, include #SixPack in your tweet so I'll be sure to see it.

Be sure to email me your receipts so I can add the correct number of entries in the drawings. For those of you who have already purchased Six Pack of Murder, you can earn entries by doing the things in the above list too.

Let the madness begin...  Here's a "bitly" link to this post for your convenience.   http://bit.ly/xT9FYV

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's something I did a while back as a "different" take on romance.  Hope y'all enjoy!

Zombie Hearts

    Henry stood before the open fridge and gazed from side to side.  Chinese or Mexican, which would Freda prefer?  His left ear fell off, bounced across the linoleum.  "Holy Moldy Oldie!"  He shambled across the kitchen, picked up his ear, and jammed it back in place.  "Mexican, I believe."  Henry grabbed two ziplock bags and placed them on the counter.  "Now, what to drink?"  He scanned the shelf of bottles, picked one from the end.  "This will be perfect."  Placed it on the counter next to the bags.  Storage dishes of delicacies  joined the bottle and bags, and soon ended up on the dining table along with his finest china and crystal.
    The living room clock chimed seven as Henry lit the candelabra.  He stood back and gave the dining table one last look. Perfect, just perfect.  Mexican, served a la  skull and  aged to its peak, Freda's favorite salad of fingers and toes with extra spicy salsa ,  liver pate' served with fried noses for dipping,  and candied lips for dessert.   Henry gazed at his watch, she'd be there any moment.  He patted the nearest head, smoothed down the hair.  Nodding to himself, his left ear dropped off, hit the edge of the table and bounced into the liver pate'.  Henry sighed and fished out his ear.
    The doorbell rang announcing Freda's arrival. He grinned , licked the pate' off his ear, and jammed it back in place again.  He'd have to call doc in the morning, see about getting it reattached.  Henry hurried to the door and swung it open.  "Freda!  You look wonderful."  Almost good enough to eat.  Not quite, but almost.  She stepped through the door, handed him the small box she carried.
    "I hope you don't mind.  I know how much you love kidney pie and when I saw they had fresh ones at Jasper's, I just had to get one for you."
    Henry opened the box, took a deep breath.  His stomach rumbled and Freda laughed.  He leaned in, gave her a kiss on the cheek.   "Thank you.  Now, come to the table, dinner is ready."  Freda strolled across the room, Henry following.  He set the pie on the counter and met her at the table.
    "It looks delicious!"  Freda smiled up at him as he pulled out her chair.
    "I've got a special surprise for tonight."  He uncovered the ice bucket, pulled out the bottle, and popped the cork.  "I think you'll really like this." He filled the champagne flute,  held it out to her.
    Freda took the flute, swirled its contents then sniffed.  She took a small sip and grinned.  "AB Negative!  My favorite."  Freda took another sip.  "It's perfect."
    "That's not all.  Open your skull."  He watched her eyes as she pulled the skull open by the hair,  saw her joyous expression when she gazed upon the  diamond ring nestled between the brain hemispheres.  He knelt on one knee beside her.  "Will you marry me?"

Read & Win

Here's something for all you paranormal romance readers.  Win a Kindle Fire or iPad from a friend of mine. Evelyn is a critique partner and if you like paranormal, then you'll love these.  Check out the link above for details. And for those of you wondering, yes, that is a real guy on the cover, and no, he's not airbrushed.