My Kryptonite is greenhouses and bookstores
Has everyone in my world got this nasty cold/flu/whatever virus that’s going around? It seems like it. Besides that, the CBW (cutest baby in my world) Peni, is teething, so no one’s happy. Between the heat index being 92’ as I write this, and no end for a few days of that, everyone’s miserable.
However, there is a thunderstorm slated for the weekend, and that lifts everyone’s spirits. Dan says lightning corrects the ozone in the air or the ions or something like that. In addition, our artesian well is now set up to fill an old iron tub sunk in the ground in the barnyard. The water is always 55 degrees, clear and clean, and the animals are loving it. They actually hum as they drink, stick their entire head into the water, and sometimes even their front legs (Speaking of alpaca here, not the chickens.) It doesn’t take much to make animals happy, just kindness and good care.
We had our first food from our garden last week: spinach, green onions, cauliflower, lettuce, and strawberries. Our corn is more than knee high. I had some places left in the herb bed, and the okra we’d planted had gotten nibbled off, we think by a rabbit. It warranted a trip to my favorite greenhouse, where they were running a sale; I had the back of my little Pacifica full in less than an hour. Dan just shakes his head. I went in for nine okra plants; I came home with two hanging pots, six new perennials, a few annuals, some herbs, a bale of potting soil, and a 25-pound bag of parrot food. Dan says this okra will cost $30 a pound if you factor in the residuals.
The field will need to be hayed again soon. I’m still dealing with a lot of arthritis pain and have been referred to another specialist. The upside is that since I can’t do much outside, I’ve had more time to work on my books. I’m almost finished with the next social work memoir and hope to complete the first draft and order the cover this week. It should be out in less than a month. I’ve also planned a new cozy series to start once the social work book goes to press, and after that, a sci-fi/dystopian/historical novel. Life is good. Thank you all for downloading my new devotional on overcoming loneliness last week. This week’s special is a jump into sci-fi. I appreciate everyone who reads my books and leaves comments—I love hearing from you.
June 14-21, The Multifaceted Mind will be a 99-cent download for one week.
Allyson was a high-functioning multiple-personality disorder lady raised in a loving home by professionals. Her various egos had their part in the family firm, from accountant to detective, from gardener to infant, from martial arts master to shy nerd; so many voices speaking at once with her gatekeeper alter giving each their time in the sun. When a co-worker is found murdered in her garden, Allyson must find a way to clear one of her fractured egos of a murder charge. If you want to move beyond creepy mystery and into the just plain weird, odd but possible tale, you have to get the Multifaceted Mind!
That’s all for this week! Wishing everyone peace and blessings. Are any of you going on vacation, or are you staying home? We’re cutting back on trips this year because of the economy, the heat, and family needs—it just made sense for us. What about you? Are you staying home or heading out?