Puppy Love 2018: It's been a Wookiee-ful Year

Last Thursday was a special day in my house -  our one year Wookieeversary! I can't believe a year has gone by since we brought home our sweet, fuzzy Wookiee pup. And, my goodness, how he changed everything....

Sunset in the High Desert

10/09/2016

When I moved to the High Desert nine years ago, I knew I would love the wide, open sky. Especially at night, filled with bright stars. I had no idea how spectacular the sunsets would be.

Puppy Love

Smokey

Yesterday (Feb. 13th) marked the 32nd anniversary of my first dog's birth. Though I wouldn't meet him for another seven weeks, in time for my birthday, I often referred to him as my little Valentine. Part yellow Lab, part Golden Retriever, Smokey was 100% my best friend for the next twelve years. 

Wrapping up 2015 with a Few of My Favorite Things

One the many things my best friend (henceforth to be known as M) and I share is an unhealthy attachment to cats. M's cat, Michonne, had kittens in November, so she had the opportunity for these adorable Christmas kitty pics! (We might have to use them for Christmas cards next year!)

A Midnight Rambling: Getting Nostalgic in Novica

LOML and I had an impromtu date night Friday, and wound up in Downtown Novica, of all places. My hometown, the place I love more than any other on Earth - I drive by at least once every couple of months, but almost never pass through downtown anymore. If you're from Novica, you know you don't drive the "main drag" through Downtown - you go around, unless you have all day. But, we had time to kill,

Random Ramble - the hummingbirds are back!

While I was procrastinating turning on the computer yesterday, I did some watering in the front yard and this hummingbird came to visit. She flew right up in my face, hovered there a second, and darted around the stream from the hose. Then, she landed near the spigot, and proceeded to take a shower.

I posted about hummingbirds last spring, and how I should apply some lessons learned from their daily routine in my garden to my own writing routine. I'm still working on the routine part ... it's getting a little better ... ? Not here, though. I've been neglecting the blog. So, I post a random glimpse of my random routine....

I'm easily distracted, especially by animals - cats, dogs, birds, horses, ducks, rabbits, wallabies. Iguanas, and lizards, too, though I'm not a big fan of snakes. (It's a problem. I may need a support group.) You can imagine my delight when this little bird decided to hang out. Here's a video....  

 
And another....

In conclusion, this post has nothing to do with writing. It's just about this hummingbird, and its cuteness. Because, yes, sometimes cuteness is important!

I hope you're having a beautiful day!
Roari

December Roses, Wrapping and Unwrapping Gifts with Friends, the Return of the Rain and Release Day Delay

It's December thirteenth, there are still roses blooming in my garden, and A Shadow in Doubt isn't ready to be published....

Wait, what?- you say? Oh, you caught that last part. Did you see how I tried to soften you up with a flower?  I know, this puts me on the naughty list, but I'm used to it.

I won't bore you with the details as to why A Shadow in Doubt isn't ready yet, because if I tried to explain it, you'd probably be more confused than I am right now. It's complicated, but I hope you, Dear Reader, will understand. Trust me when I say you'll be glad for the delay ... it's worth it.

Okay, now the hard part's over, and if you're still reading, hopefully you've forgiven me! I will say two factors in the push back were/are NaNoWriMo and "the holidays". It was pure insanity to think I would get it there in that time frame. I'll announce the new release date on New Year's Eve - hopefully it will be late January.  But let's move on for now....

Simba

Mufasa

Wrapping presents is more fun with friends, don't you agree? My little lions, aka Simba and Mufasa, were tiny balls of fluff last year, and hid under the bed while I was wrapping. Now, they're Mommy's little distractors helpers. Aren't they sweet?

The holiday frenzy is finally in full swing at my house, a little late, but better than never. The tree still needs lights so we can hang the ornaments, then maybe I'll share a pic of that ;)





The Beasties unwrapped their Christmas present early this year (actually, unrolled it in this case) and they think they've gone to heaven. Instead of going to crazy midnight sales on Black Friday, I slept in, and spent the afternoon running back and forth to Home Depot, picking up sod. Then, while I worked away on finishing my NaNo novel, the love of my life installed it while our darling children supervised from the trampoline.

As you can see, Thor and Athena are delighted.

The the next day we had the most rain we've had in years, yesterday we had even more, and, according to the last reports I saw, we should have one or two more storms next week. I hope so, because the Beasties are already getting spoiled by having a plush carpet outside, and our parched state definitely needs it!

And I think that wraps it up for today! I hope your day is a beautiful one....

Roari

Sometimes you just have to listen.

This one is for the woman I met in the bookstore yesterday.  A book triggered her grief, and she needed someone to listen.  I'm glad I was there.

To K-

The sadness was plain in your eyes.

I wondered, "What causes the tears she cries?"

Weary wells, windows of your soul,

They poured it all out.

A stranger, I might walk away,

The choice to stay was just as simple.

Could I not lend my ear? 

You didn't expect me to listen,

Much less respond, sharing in kind.

But, I had to.  Someone did.

You needed a tether to the world,

And I let my own fall away,

That afternoon, I needed to hear what you needed to say.

I didn't have the answers you sought to find,

But, I hope it gave you some small comfort,

Knowing I am just as unknowing.

One thing I've learned about grieving, everyone does it their own way, in their own time.  She thanked me as we parted, for taking the time to listen, but I should be thanking her.  It was a reminder of what is important - how we treat those around us.  We share this world together, for the little time we have on it.  Small acts of kindness cost nothing, and are more rewarding than you think.  When others have shown me kindness, I appreciated it more than they probably know.  I do believe things happen for a reason, even if we never understand why in this life.     

K-, this rose is for your mother.  I hope you and I meet again one day.  Even more, I hope your heart finds peace.

I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Roari