More Than Just A Pet / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Oct-2026

Pets are a part of many people's lives.  Dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, horses, cows, you name it, many have them.  Big or small, they are more than just a pet.  They are parts of our family.  We celebrate their birthdays, play with them (even when we don't feel like it), take naps with them, and do all kinds of quirky things with them.

Growing up, I had a little white poodle runt named Max.  We loved him so much.  I remember the day he passed as if it were yesterday.  I was a teenager, and my friend Kregg had come over to the house to watch Weird Al's movie UHF.  The movie hadn't even started and my Dad looked next to the chair he was sitting in and said something like, "Um, I think something's wrong with Max."

Sure enough, he was gone.

We buried him in the backyard.  I still remember the wooden "resting place" Dad made him, and we all wrote notes on the outside, and he had toys and his comfy bed with him.  There had never been one just like him.

On a side note, I never have watched UHF and probably never will.

My parents did get another dog a few years later.  Ernie was a Pekinese, so another small dog.  He was more my sister's dog than mine because, by that time, I was going to college and not home very much.  I do not remember when he passed, truth be told.  It was still devastating though.  Again, he was more than just a pet.  He was a loved member of the family.

My grandpa Ray passed away in August 2019 and, prior to his passing, his health started to decline and my parents took care of his little dog Rusty.  It did not take long and, yes, he became more than just a pet, he was another loving member of the family.

Long story short, dear old Rusty took a turn for the worst last week and joined his furry brothers in Heaven along with my grandpa.

No matter what, pets truly are more than just pets.  They are loving members of the family.

The Sweetest Thing That Popped Into My Social Media / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Oct-2026

I am still scratching my head on how this happened.  Over the past few weeks, I discovered videos on social media that not only captured my attention, they also made me want to know more about them (and buy candy!)

Let me introduce you to the small, family-owned business Logan's Candies. Home Page - Logan's Candies

Opened in 1933 (nearing on the 100-year mark in a few years!) they are a family-run business, located in Ontario, California, that has videos with millions of views online about . . . making candy.  Their videos are pure fun!  The owner Jerry gives a spiel in each video, exactly the same way, and I enjoy watching them so much.

But don't let me tell you, find out for yourself by clicking on the link to their website and scrolling down to all of their social media channels.

Fall Is Rolling In / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Oct-2026

Fall is definitely in the air once again.  I don't know about you, but I love this time of year.  If I had to pick a favorite season, it would be the fall.

Spring is fine, but with the snow melting it creates such a mess everywhere.  Summer is also fine (when compared to winter here in northern Minnesota) but it can go from high humidity to scorching high temps in a matter of days . . . if not hours.

Winter is probably my least favorite.  Very unpredictable here.  Some winters, some weeks, some months we can get frigidly chilling temperatures and then go to almost melting the next.  And if it's warmer, then we get hit with a ton of snow.

Last weekend, all of our children were up to visit and take family photos.  Even our dog had to get in on the action.

Photos taken by Captured By Carly

New Focus For Q4 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Oct-2026

The last three months have been a smashing success, in my opinion.  Two novels completed, and at least three more short stories done and published in the last week.  It's mind boggling, to say the least.

In fact, when I look over the year so far, I have published . . . drum roll please . . . 4 novels!  And that doesn't include quite a number of short stories published too.

But wait, there's more!  There are still 3 more months left to go in 2026!

Normally, at the end of each quarter, I sit down and write down my next five things for the next quarter.  These are the five things I want to accomplish.

Not this time.  This time, for the last three months of 2026, I have a whole lot more on my list!  There are a lot of little things I want to accomplish, to set myself for success starting in 2027 and beyond.

As a side note, I'd like to share this with you.  For the past several months, I have brought my writing to my work with me.  My wife and I ride together three days a week (I work at home the other two days).  Since she starts much earlier than me, I get to work at least 90 minutes early.  Prior to the start of my shift, I sit in this little desk in what our company calls a collaboration area.  It's relatively quiet, and I am able to get a lot done before I start work.  Pretty cute, isn't it?

New Novel - Missing Pieces / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Sept-2026

I did it!

Missing Pieces, my latest novel, has been published!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Like two ships passing in the night, Zack and Ellen Perkins are just going through the motions.  They appear to be the perfect couple, successful in their careers, successful in their marriage, with three great kids.

But both are self-proclaimed workaholics who have devoted themselves entirely to their careers at the risk of their on the rocks marriage.

As their twenty-five-year wedding anniversary nears, the unexpected happens and they find themselves reliving their younger years.  Will they finally rediscover the reason they are destined for each other, rekindling the romantic fires that bonded them as soulmates?  Or will those fires die out as they seek out love in other places?"

Please check out "Missing Pieces" on Amazon Kindle ebook store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Changes In The Last Quarter Of 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Sept-2026

I am looking ahead to 2027.

Really, Mark?  2027?

Yes, really.

In doing so, I need to set myself up for success.  This quarter, my main goal was to write and publish two full-length novels.  One is done and the other is so close, it will be by next week.

Although I will not share what I have in store for the last three months of 2026 to lead into 2027, rest assured that it'll be good.  I will still be publishing stories in the last three months of 2026, but I will not have a major challenge like I did for this quarter.  I do have a story in mind to write.

Stay tuned.  It's going to be a fun ride!

Great Progress / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Sept-2026

Another short one today.  But I still wanted to make sure something was posted, to keep the weekly blog streak alive.

I am making tremendous progress on my current work-in-progress.  I have written over 40,000 words so far.  The end is in sight.  Maybe a week or so.  Worked on the cover a bit this past weekend too and more this weekend.  I'll probably also tackle updating some of my other stories with new covers, blurbs.