Chance to win Doctor in Petticoats--my RITA finalist book

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TODAY

on

SEEKERVILLE
(And I'm probably gonna be working that 'RITA FINALIST' thing
into every thing I write for a while.
Bear with me until the giddiness passes.)

My Midwesternness on parade! And a chance to win!

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The Barn Door
We're talking BUFFALO
Go leave a comment for a chance to win a
Signed Copy of
Sharpshooter in Petticoats

I'm talking about Louis L'Amour on Petticoats & Pistols

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It's Western Classics Week.

CLICK HERE

Santa--Looking for the escape hatch

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I needed a picture of me when I was young for Seekerville.
This isn't the one I used but it came to light while I was hunting.
I'm the one at the top, left. (hint, I'm the one without a beard).

My family (there are many more to be born)

Left to right, top:

Mary (4), Santa (Getting older by the minute), Nila (5)

Middle: Don (2 yrs and six months) and baby Lois (six months)

Front and Center: Big sister Ruth (6)

Did you get those ages?

New, two, four, five, six

And my mother lived to tell the tale.

ALSO:

This picture was really battered, creases in it, the flecks of white.
Here's the original. (above)
I fooled around with it trying to erase the creases with the cloning tool on my Photoshop Elements 9.
I really have no idea what I'm doing and it wasn't that successful, although it looks much better.
There were three creases, the two on the bottom left corner are almost gone.
The one across the middle of the picture was hard because I couldn't get the color of the grey coats right.

But if I lightened it much more (like here) Lois's face (the baby) just loses all detail
and the flecks begin looking like a blizzard,
even though I used the cloning tool to erase a lot of them.
More appear when I get lighter.
Also the 'cloning' is more noticable.

It's fun to play with the tools though.

Cecelia Dowdy Features the Rita Finalists

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Thank you

Cecelia

Red Neck Computer Geeks

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You might be a red neck computer geek if:

Your laptop has a sticker that says, "Protected by Smith and Wesson."

You wire your network with jumper cables.

Your wife said either she or the computer had to go, and you really miss her.

You've ever used a CD-ROM as a coaster to set your drink on.

Three Words: Daisy Duke Screensaver

Your spell checker knows words like, "Y'all", "Yonder", and "Reckon."

Your yard is full of dead CPUs, printers, modems and monitors.

Your belt buckle is made from a dead 3.5" disk drive.

You moved your computer desk so it didn't block the velvet picture of Elvis.

Your PC Games collection consists of nothing but Bass Fishing tournament games.

You only buy from Gateway, 'cause the cow boxes are a hoot.

Chance to win Sharpshooter in Petticoats

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and Lassoed in Texas Trilogy

On COWBOYS GALORE

Click on the image above to go to the blog and get your name in the drawing.

This is so funny!

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Why God Created Eve

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God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.

God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.

God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out.

God knew Adam would never make a doctor's appointment for himself.

God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage on the curb.

God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.

When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that!"

Accessorize your calf

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First let me say that calves are not exactly tame.

They're not exactly wild either, but still, run!

Run for your lives! Run like the wind!

Hide behind your mama. She will save you!!!

My cowboy has learned that if he wants to band and tag his calves, he needs to do it EARLY.

They get really hard to catch.

And that can be tricky because sometimes the mama cow's instinct,

when she's just newly delivered a calf and powerful hormones are flooding her system,

is to try and kill anyone who touches her baby.

And if it wasn't My Cowboy who she was trying to kill, I'd sort of respect that.

Of course this is the same man who has been feeding her for years. She is clearly confused.

Which doesn't make her murderous rampage any easier on anyone.

So here's a calf that has gotten a bit too old.

He's one day old.

He's a day old and he is running, along with all his buddies, away from the fiery jaws of death.

Or, another name for them...the ear tagger.

This is a close up of the SCARY EAR TAGGER.

The red tag will soon be the latest fashioin statement for all day old or older calves.

I'd feel a sorry for the calves if I didn't have my ears pierced.

These things happen. Stop running and deal with it.

And here we are. The finished product.

Peer pressure should have made the calf stand still to begin with.

And if one more cow tries to kill him,

I'm going to urge My Cowboy to give up his cowboy ways

and get a job piercing ears at Claire's in the mall.

He has the skills.

Also look at the little red calf on the left above.

He is so fun.

We get a fun color once in a while because we buy some replacement cows every year

and we can't control who they're been bred to.

So the red ones are fun.

Most of them are still Angus.

Though you think Black when you think Angus....

....well, I do, you may go years without even having the world Angus flash through your mind...

....but there are red Angus, too and some other red breeds.

I don't know which breed this little guy is.
I only know the red ear tag is the perfect accessory with the red fur.

What Men Wished Women Knew

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Ask for what you want. Subtle hints don't work.

Sometimes, we're not thinking about you. Live with it.

Anything we said 6 or 8 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

Anything you wear is fine. Really.

Christopher Columbus didn't need directions, and neither do we.

You have too many shoes.

If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

Mark anniversaries on a calendar.

A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad and angry, we meant the other one.

You can either ask us to do something OR tell us how you want it done - not both.

You have enough clothes.

Bailouts

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What do you do when you're banded, but you know you're a man?

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 Today we're going to talk about banding.

No, you don't get to play bass guitar, pay attention, this is a tutorial about cows.

And calves.

Boy calves.

(Insert evil laughter)

This is the calf foolishly thinking he's got a chance to get away.

No one EVER gets away.

This is My Cowboy making the grab.

My Cowboy is thinking, Bulls are Nothing But Trouble.

We can't have bulls.

Well, maybe we can have one, but not this little guy.

 I call this picture Clueless

Look at the little calf, head up, smiling for the camera.

No clue that life as he knows it is about to change forever...due to banding.

The tool in My Cowboy's hand is sort of a pair of pliers. To which he attached a rubber band.

He uses the pliers to stretch the tiny rubber band, slides it over the little boy's...........pride and joy

And snaps it off the pliers. Thus adding a band to cut off circulation in a completely painless, bloodless, clearly trauma-less

(I'm going to say it, turn away now if you have to, last chance)

castration

 

 Here is is the picture I think of as SNAP

Here is mama saying, "Get up my little steer, you're fine...well, fine-ish."

Note the pliers, innocent little tools of the trade.

And here is mama and baby doing fine, with no idea life as he knows it has....well, you get the picture.

Mary Higgins Clark's Roller Coaster Fiction

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Please do not be mislead to think Mary Higgins Clark is on Seekerville.

No, it is ME.

I am TALKING about Mary Higgins Clark on Seekerville.

That's kinda the same, right?

Seekerville
&
It's my day on Petticoats and Pistols
You must stop by BOTH BLOGS.
I feel too guilty to just send you to ONE.
It's like asking a mother to name her favorite child!!!
Petticoats & Pistols

Top Ten Things Men Know About Women

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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Dysfunction

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http://www.despair.com/

Discovery

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Consulting

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Compromise

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Writing Life

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I'm interviewed today by

Lynda Schab

on

The Examiner

Kindle -Nook - Gift Certificates - so much more - giveaway DAY TWO

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More chance to win a Kindle
at
Barbara Vey's
Beyond Her Book Blog
CLICK HERE
Including a copy of
Sharpshooter in Petticoats from ME
Here's the complete list:

Virna DePaul – A CPO Wi-Fi Nook

Renee Ryan – a Kindle with my four Charity House books already loaded on it.

Mary Connealy – Sharpshooter in Petticoats

Julie Lessman – Winner’s choice of one book in my Daughter’s of Boston series or my new book, A Hope Undaunted

Missy Tippens – A signed copy of my April Love Inspired, A Family for Faith.

Ruth Logan Herne – “Made to Order Family”, “Waiting Out the Storm” and “Reunited Hearts”

Tina Radcliffe – 2 copies of Love Inspired, January 2011 release The Rancher’s Reunion.

Cheryl Wyatt – 3 copies of Steadfast Soldier

Janet Dean – Wanted: A Family

Audra Harders – my January 2011 debut release, Rocky Mountain Herom

Glynna Kave – Autographed copy of my Love Inspired, Dreaming of Home

Camy Tang – 2 copies of Only Uni and Single Sashimi

Carla Capshaw – 1 copy of each of my books (The Gladiator, The Duke’s Redemption & The Protector)

Lore Lough – Suddenly Daddy/Suddenly Mommy. I also have 6 other 2010-2011 titles (Love Finds You in Paradise, PA; Love Finds You in North Pole, AK; Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry (devotional by Andrea Boeshaar, Sandie Bricker, Debby Mayne, and myself from Summerside Press), and Prevailing Love, Tales of the Heart, Beautiful Bandit, and Maverick Heart (Whitaker House).

Saundra Mitchell – A signed copy of my new historical YA novel, THE VESPERTINE

Barbara Monajem – $10 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Janet Tronstad – a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card plus one of my Christmas books, ’A Silent Night in Dry Creek’

Margaret Daley – A Daughter for Christmas and Christmas Bodyguard.

Allie Pleiter – a signed copy of my April Love Inspired Historical release, YUKON WEDDING

Alix Rickloff – autographed copy of EARL OF DARKNESS.

Mandy Goff – 5 copies of inspirational Regency romance, The Blackmailed Bride

Lisa Naujoks - 1 copy of Yuletide Protector and Fresh-Start Family.

Sandra Leesmith – 2 copies God’s Spirit Within Me & God’s Spirit Calls Me

Jill Elizabeth Nelson - Legacy of Lies

Charlotte Carter – two autographed books: my first Love Inspired Montana Hearts and Christmas Miracles (hardcover) from Guideposts Books.

Irene Brand – I will give a piece of Blenko glassware–made in Milton, West Virginia. Also two of my SP books, Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska and Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe

Dana Mentink – a copy of Turbulence, a Love Inspired Suspense

Renee Andrews – An autographed copy of Her Valentine Family by Renee Andrews, February 2011 release

Dorothy Clark - A copy of my latest book Frontier Courtship

Valerie Hansen – The Doctor’s Newfound Family, Rescuing the Heiressand Face of Danger.

Lyn Cote – Daddy in the Making LI (set in WI!)

Ruth Axtel Morren – my March Love Inspired Historical: A Gentleman’s Homecoming

Linda Goodnight – Not one, but the first three books in the Redemption River series, FINDING HER WAY HOME, THE WEDDING GARDEN, AND A PLACE TO BELONG.

Barbara Harrison/Leann Harris – My last 2 books, Second Chance Ranch, 01/11 & Guarded Secrets, 10/09

Sherrilyn Kenyon - a signed ARC of YA book INVINCIBLE, from Chronicles of Nick, coming out March 22, 2011

Dianna Love & Mary Buckham – a copy of Break Into Fiction (takes you step-by-step through how to plot a powerful commercial novel), a Break Into Fiction Tote bag.

Sourcebooks – Fire Package: (all to one winner)

1. iDrakula by Bekka Black

2. The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

3. Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells

4. Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

5. Haunted by Joy Preble

6. Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

7. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

8. Amelia O’Donahue is so NOT a Virgin by Helen FitzGerald

9. Picture the Dead by Adele Girffin and Lisa Brown

10. The Star Shack by Lila Castle

11. Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson (ARC)

12. I’m Not Her by Janet Gurtler (ARC)

13. Beautiful Dead: Summer by Eden Maguire (ARC)

St. Martin’s Press – 5 copies of Dark Mirror by M. J. Putney

Debbie Kaufman – One signed copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Mothers, One signed copy of The Doctor’s Mission (released in Nov.)

eHarlequin – 5 copies of The Iron Queen and one Iron Queen Gift Bag

LaShaunda Hoffman – SORMAG Goody Bag

Terri Reed – a copy of my January release Daughter of Texas

Marcia Colette – an ebook copy of Bittersweet

Staness Jonekos - “The Menopause Makeover: The Ultimate Guide To Taking Control of Your Health and Beauty During Menopause”

Kelly Stone – TIME TO WRITE is the most popular because it features advice from 104 bestselling

authors, & the latest is LIVING WRITE: The Secret to Bringing Your Craft Into Your Daily Life which includes a CD.

C.C. Hunter – A copy of Born at Midnight my first book YA, Paranormal romance in my Shadow Falls series, and pack of swag, which includes a mirror and brush compact, a note pad, a pen, and a bookmark.

Lois M. Richer – 4 copies of Love Inspired book A BABY BY EASTER

Emma Miller – signed copy of “Courting Ruth”, the first inspirational in the Hannah’s Daughter’s Amish Series

Trinity Faegen – A signed ARC of THE MEPHISTO COVENANT, a YA paranormal romance releasing 9/27/11 & a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble

Amanda Brice - e-book copy of “Codename: Dancer”

Hope White – Copy of my book, “Hidden in Shadows”

Lenora Worth – Books (Body of Evidence-LIS and Because of Jane–Superromance)

Janette Rallison – a copy of How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-boyfriend

Marley Gibson – Set of four (4) GHOST HUNTRESS books, as well as my non-fiction companion, THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN’S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL

Mary Buckham – BREAK INTO FICTION(tm): 11 Steps to Building a Story that Sells

Leanna Renee Hieber – An ARC of Magic Most Foul, a Gothic Victorian YA (will have ARCs in May for a November Release)

Fresh Fiction – six randomly chosen YA books mailed to one winner US / Canada

Look what I got

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A Grandson!

Welcome Isaac!!

TWO CHANCES TO WIN A KINDLE

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Go leave a comment

CLICK HERE

Barbara Vey's blog on Publishers Weekly

The Seekers are giving away a Kindle
as is the author's blog
Petit Fours and Hot Tamales

AND BOOKS GALORE
IT'S A WIDE OPEN PRIZE VAULT
INCLUDING A COPY OF MY BOOK
LASSOED IN TEXAS TRILOGY
Seekerville – Kindle

Petit Fours and Hot Tamales – Kindle

Mary Connealy – Lassoed in Texas Trilogy


Debby Giusti – Love Inspired Suspense books: Protecting Her Child and Nowhere to Hide
Missy Tippens - A copy of my new Love Inspired, A Family for Faith

Julie Lessman – Winner’s choice of one book in my Daughter’s of Boston series or my new book, A Hope Undaunted
Cara Lynn James – a copy of Love on Assignment

Tina Radcliffe – Love Inspired, The Rancher’s Reunion.

Cheryl Wyatt – 3 copies of Ready Made Family
Janet Dean – Wanted: A Family

Audra Harders – my January 2011 debut release, Rocky Mountain Hero

Myra Johnson – a copy of WHERE THE DOGWOODS BLOOM

Ruth Logan Herne – “Made to Order Family”, “Waiting Out the Storm” and “Reunited Hearts”
Glynna Kaye – Autographed copy of my Love Inspired, Dreaming of Home

Pam Hillman – $10 Amazon gift card

Camy Tang – 2 copies of Only Uni and Single Sashimi

Sandra Leesmith – Two books each of God’s Spirit Within Me, God’s Spirit Calls Me
Sandy Wardman – A copy of one of my Childrens Books
Liquid Silver Books – Free eBook Download

Nancy Naigle - A glass tea cup and blooming tea blossoms that open into a beautiful flower in your mug as it steeps.

Heroes and Heartbreakers – a 3-pack of urban fantasy ARCs. Kitty’s Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn (July 2011), Honeyed Words by J.A. Pitts (July 2011), and As You Wish by Gabi Stevens (May 2011)

Cynthia Eden – A copy of Deadly Fear and Deadly Heat

Donna Grant – A copy of Wicked Highlander and The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance

Caridad Pineiro – A copy of Stronger Than Sin and an ARC of The Lost
Lisa Renee Jones - An ARC for Legend of Michael and her entire Hotzone Trilogy

Jennifer Haymore – A copy of A Hint of Wicked, A Touch of Scandal, and A Season of Seduction

The Writing Playground – $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble – the winner can choose which she/he would prefer.

Jessa Slade – Signed copy of VOWED IN SHADOWS, Book 3 of the Marked Souls, along with a set of demon-inspired notecards and a pair of “Possession in Pearl” earrings.

J.S. Laurenz - To Conquer the Heart of a King
Linda Ford – a copy of my March release Prairie Cowboy

Erin Quinn – Autographed copy of Haunting Beauty or Haunting Warrior (reader’s choice)

Fresh Fiction – six randomly chosen romance books mailed to one winner US / Canada

Deborah Schneider – 2 copies of “Promise Me”

Total E-Bound – One e-book of the winner’s choice from one of the genre pages

Tee Shirt Slogans for Women with PMS

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Guys have feelings too. But like...who cares?

Next mood swing: 6 minutes.

I hate everybody, and you're next.

Please don't make me kill you.

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're okay now.

I'm busy. You're ugly. Have a nice day.

Warning: I have an attitude and I know how to use it.

Of course I don't look busy...I did it right the first time.

I'm multitalented: I can talk and annoy you at the same time.

Do NOT start with me. You will NOT win.

You have the right to remain silent, so please SHUT UP.

All stressed out and no one to choke.

I'm one of those bad things that happen to good people.

How can I miss you if you won't go away?

Sorry if I look interested. I'm not.

Don't make me mad! I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.

Signs your cat may be trying to kill you

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He sharpens his claws on your car's brake lines.

Signs your cat may be trying to kill you

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Ball of yarn playfully tied into a hangman's noose.

A Trailer for my August Release!!!

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Out of Control
by
Mary Connealy

Coming in August

From

Bethany House Publishing

The Cows are Alright

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Name that Academy Award Nominated Movie!

This calf was born Monday by Caesarean Section.

(I swear I googled the spelling of Caesarean five times, even the internet doesn't agree on how to spell that word!)

A C-Section on a cow is NOT a simple process.

We hauled the cow, in obvious distress, to the vet, twenty miles away.

And when I say 'we' I mean 'we' in a metaphysical sense. In the sense that everything we do on this property is a union, a joint effort, a labor of love.

(okay, I wasn't home when it happened, shut up)

The vet had to cut open her belly WHILE SHE WAS STANDING UP.

I'm sure that's normal procedure but WOW am I glad they don't do that to human women!

Heavily pain medicated of course ... or the cow would have discovered her inner raging bull.

Which she didn't.

She stood calmly (all things considered) throughout.

The vet cut through three layers of...her.

My Cowboy stood in as obstetric nurse with good will and when the cow was....open, the vet pulled the calf out back legs first and my husband's job was to make sure the little guy

(who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet---trust me, he was soaking wet)

didn't conk his head on his way to the floor.

My husband took the calf aside and made sure it was alright.

Then his job was to hold the cow's uterus (wow, hold the cow's uterus, there are some words you don't hear everyday) while the vet started sewing and sewing and sewing.

The vet sewed the uterus twice, two layers. The uterus OUTSIDE THE COW'S BODY!!!!

Weird.

And all the while My Cowboy had to hold the thing.

It's HEAVY.

Then they returned the uterus to the inside of the cow

(wouldn't want to forget that, it's not like the doctor left some puny SPONGE in there or nuthin')

then the vet sewed up two more layers of her.

The sewing took more time than everything else combined.

And now here is mama and baby four days later in the picture above. Looking pretty chipper.

I know she's feeling chipper because this was the best picture I could get from the lively pair.

And that's the side she was shaved and cut open, right there.

Nothing shows. Black fur. Black skin. She looked great.

I fooled around with the picture and I think in this one you can see the missing fur on the cow's side.

A big patch is missing.

The cut is vertical almost two feet long, though honestly I never did really see the cut clearly,

it just doesn't show.

It looks like it's healing well.

(Dr. Mary makes that medical diagnosis--you're welcome)

We have her locked up with the baby so we can watch her for another few days or weeks.

And she's on medication (because she says she's got a raging headache)

Signs your cat may be trying to kill you

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He actually does have your tongue.

Why did they have to use a PIG in the shower?

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It couldn't have been an animal more easily associated with me?

A swan maybe?

A gazelle?

But nooooooooooooooooo

Is it Missouri? Or is it a BLT?

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20-Ton Mayonnaise Spill

Shuts Down Part of Missouri Interstate

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A stretch of Interstate 44 in Springfield, Mo., was closed for several hours over the weekend when a tractor-trailer crashed, spilling 20 tons of mayonnaise onto the road, the Kansas City Star reported Sunday.

Police closed the eastbound lanes of the section of Interstate while crews worked to clean up the 40,000 lbs of mayonnaise that spilled out Saturday after the driver of the tractor-trailer lost control and drove into the median.
Lt. Scott Leven of the Springfield Police Department said walking on the spilled mayonnaise was like walking on ice, but no injuries were reported.

Mary here: This reminds me of an incident when all four children were home and the tomatoes were fresh and someone dropped a jar of Miracle Whip........
Throw in a trailer of hogs and a semi load of tomatoes and suddenly it's not a disaster, it's a PARTY.
One further comment....are there TANKERS full of Mayo? And where are they headed? Subway?
Or did a zillion jars all break open at once and get SPREAD all over?