Welcome to Fall and a Meme to Share

Welcome to Fall. Yes, the clock continues in its' never-ending move forward and we're entering our next season in the Northern Hemisphere - we're moving into Autumn. Fall is actually one of my top seasons - I love the colors, the vibrancy, and the harvest that Fall signifies. Of course, it's usually a bit truncated here in the Frozen Northlands, but I'll take what I can get. I've been enjoying the turning leaves I've been seeing over the past week or two, and it's almost time to take a drive and shoot some pictures for personal enjoyment and inspiration. 

TJ Klune's latest released yesterday and I'm pushing it 
up my TBR list and making it my next read after finishing 
the series I'm currently deep into. The reviews came 
in at 4.5 to 5 stars across the board, so it's another hit for 
TJ - an author I've followed and recommended for more 
than a decade. 

TJ Klune's newest book released yesterday, and it's getting stellar reviews - exactly what I had expected. It's in my TBR, and I'll be pushing it ahead of a LOT of other books and making it one of my next two books to read. There's nothing better than a good book to settle down with over the winter months, and winter is knocking at the door up here. I know I'm going to love it already. 

Who better for this short Meme than one of my 
absolute favorite actors in one role he played 
to perfection? Love me some Gene Wilder. 

I'm stealing this meme from Bleodswean, a friend of mine who is a talented writer and photographer. It looked like a fun one, and I've been meaning to do it and share with all of you, so here goes ...

1 - When did you last stay in a hotel, and where?

    I actually think it was in 2019 when I attended what would be my final Bead & Button Show. The 2020 show was cancelled, and the corporate went out of business in late 2020. My summer this year was empty and vacant without meeting with my fellow beaders in Milwaukee. I'm finding that I am really missing that shot of creativity I got from that show every year (although my pocket book was happier with the saved cash). 

2 - Have you ever had any teeth pulled? 

I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled when I was in my mid-teens. I was petrified, and it wasn't the greatest experience, but I didn't have to repeat it, so I was quite grateful in the end. My Dad agreed to get contact lenses for me as a reward, a true win/win. 

3 - What is one of your favorite comedy movies? 

I don't do a lot with movies in general - I guess I'd have to go with any of the Minion movies, I adore Gru and the girls, and the Minions just make everything perfect. I love animated movies in general, and really don't pay much attention to other movies except LOTRO and Harry Potter. 

4 - Do you have a crush on anyone you haven't really talked to before? 

No. I'm quite far beyond crushes. There are certainly people I would love to talk with, but I'm not crushing on them. 

5 - What is your least favorite Sour Patch color? 

Ummmm ... all of them? I don't like candy much, and really don't like sour candy. I know ... I'm barely human. LOL 

6 - Have you ever won a competition? If so, what was it and what did you win? 

I have the blue ribbons on my wall that prove I've won in some of my beading competitions, but I also have quite a few reds and a white or two. I think the thing I loved the most was my beaded hobby horse winning People's Choice at the gallery. I didn't "win" anything except bragging rights for that one, but I was delighted that other people loved "Horse" as much as I did. 

7 - Did you ever take classes for a musical instrument when you were younger? 

I started out learning piano, but after a few years (and several different teachers) I knew that wasn't the instrument for me. When I was 10 years old, however, my elementary school was getting all of us fitted out with instruments for the school orchestra. Although I wanted the French Horn, they put a cello into my hands and it was magic. The cello was my instrument for the next eight years, until I graduated from High School. I was first chair in the City, as well as the State for my age group, and fought hard with a frenemy for the position. She's currently still playing and we're still sometimes friends, in contact on Facebook. 

8 - How often do you walk around barefoot? 

I don't. My feet are quite flat and I really need my orthotics for comfort. I have outdoor shoes, which I switch to indoor shoes at the entryway. I'm not even barefoot in my shower - preferring to wear shower shoes (flip flops with holes throughout the soles purchased at Target for cheap - but perfect for their intended use). 

9 -What architectural style was your childhood house? 

It was a tract house from the early 1960's with a main floor and a full basement. My Dad ran his accounting business from half of the basement, my Mom taught piano in one of the other basement rooms, and we had a playroom/sewing room and a small spare bedroom next to the furnace room. Upstairs were three bedrooms, 1-1/2 bathrooms, an open living room/dining room and a small kitchen, leading out to a nice backyard with a sheltered porch. The garage was detached with barely enough room for the two cars - my Mom's Chevy and Dad's Plymouth. Laundry was line-dried behind the garage and the incinerator was also located there (while that was still an option). We lived in that house through elementary school, but moved when I started Middle School. 

10 - To whom to you usually say "Good Morning" to first? 

Hubby, if he's awake. Otherwise, Chickie when she arrives at work, or the delivery guy from FedEx who's usually at the door at about 8:30 am if he has something to drop off. 

11 - When was the last time you visited the park? Who did you go with? 

That's been a long time. I drive through them a lot, but rarely stop to park and enjoy. Probably because parking can be a PITA. When I do go, I prefer to go on my own. I hate to rush through, and would rather look at things as they take my attention. 

12 - What language did you take in High School? 

I took German because I was lazy. I grew up with parents who spoke German regularly, so it was a way for me to coast through a language requirement. 

13 - Have you ever been to a drive-in theater? 

Absolutely, and I remember them with great happiness. 

14 - Have you ever been on vacation with someone other than your family? 

Sure. For many years, my Bead & Button roommate would fly into the Twin Cities from her home in California and we would drive out to the show together, spend the week there, then drive back to the cities and I would drop her off at the airport for her flight home before returning home myself. Poo and I had wonderful times together for many years doing that routine and it worked out great for both of us. 

15 - Do you think doctors should be able to prescribe vitamins? 

I think it's good/bad, let me explain. My doctor already does, in essence. She tells me I need to take Vitamin D and C for my bones, so I do. I don't, however, want to have to get an actual doctor's prescription for a vitamin. That would be nothing short of ridiculous. 

OK, so, there you go.  A longer than usual post because of the meme, but I enjoyed this one and hope you did too. Have an excellent Wednesday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Today I See the Allergist - and The Newest Release by TJ Klune

Today I have a 7:40 am appointment with my allergist. I knew I'd be fighting time, so I didn't take my usual two-mile run this morning. Sure enough, it's 5:45 right now and if I had chosen to run, it would be much closer to 7:00 am - the time when I really need to be getting into the car so that I could drop off my laptop before heading out to the clinic. As much as I hated giving up my morning run, it was the correct decision. Now if the doctor can only figure out something that will work to tame my allergies, I'll be grateful forever. My skin right now is extremely painful and unattractive, and I'm certainly NOT on board with that! 

Hopefully I won't have to find out. I'm really 
trying to be one of the first people through the 
door when they unlock at 7:30 am, so that I won't
be late for my 7:40 am doctor appointment. 

This weekend is our annual Gem and Mineral Show. It's on a different date (it used to be in October, after Ren Fest had ended for the year) and at a different location (it'll actually be in one of the buildings at the State Fairgrounds instead of one of the far southern bedroom communities for the Twin Cities). Nonetheless, despite the schedule and location changes, we're still looking forward to going. It does mean we'll be skipping a week of Renaissance Festival, very unlike us. And missing Ren this weekend means we'll have to attend on closing weekend, weather be damned, since it will be our only opportunity to purchase our 2022 Season Tickets. 

DH and I aren't especially fond of agates, but just take 
a look at this photo. I might make an exception for this 
agate if I ever saw it. It looks like a lakeshore in the 
late fall or early spring, with windswept waves cresting at the 
near bank, and the hint of the far shoreline appearing 
mid-view. This example of an agate is simply stunning. 

Although I think my current allergy attack hinged on a food trigger, I think my body just decided to puck up that ball and run with it, and that there are a lot more things going on right now than a tomato sensitivity. I'm hopeful for a couple of things. (1) I'd like to get a full allergy testing regime done. I haven't had one of these since I was a kid, and I know allergies change over time. I really need to know what's going on with me now, 50+ years after my first round of tests. (2) I also hope there will be a prescription (or several prescriptions) that I can use on my current flare-up. Normally, things that can be used on the body, can't be used on the head, and head medications, often can't also be used on the face and eyelids. I need it all, so I may be looking at several different meds, but I need something that packs a punch to get this under control. 

It's the "Happily Ever After" part that's the real fairy 
tale. In real life, that actually take a lot of hard work. 

So, I dream of a happy ending. I don't want my Prince to coming riding up and whisk me away. I'd probably leave him with a black eye, steal his horse, and return to the dwarves who love me. No, what I want is to look and feel like a human being once again - something that's been out of my control for the past few weeks. Crossing my fingers that I can get some solid answers. I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with some good news. 

Go and buy your copy of "Under the Whispering Door" 
today. I've been waiting for months, and I'm settling my 
always-open Barnes & Noble account right now and getting 
this into my in-box. As soon as I've finished with my 
current book I'll dive into this one (or maybe I'll
shelve my current book and read this first). 

Oh ... and for those of you who adore TJ Klune ... his latest "Under the Whispering Door" has now been released. I'll be finalizing my order as soon as I've finished today's blog. Run to your latest store (or website) and get this book. It's going to be fantastic. I'll be back tomorrow, please have a glorious day and be kind to those with whom you interact today.  

A Book Recommendation Because It's That Good!

Today's post is short and sweet because we all need something wonderful in our lives. I'm focusing today's post on a reading recommendation - something that I rarely do because people's tastes in books don't always follow my own. But I'm stepping out into that maze because this book is worth the "Read this book" shout-out.  

I couldn't pull myself away from this book. It's a
good thing we're not super busy at the shop these
days since I spent most of yesterday reading. 

TJ Klune is an author I've followed for more than a decade, actually probably closer to 15+ years. I fell in love with his book "Into This River I Drown", his first major success, and then followed him as he moved, got engaged, faced tragedy and death, but kept writing. Each book became better, each series was unique and different. 

Last summer, amid some controversy, he left his publisher and was signed by TOR/McMillan for a six-book package. The first of those books was released this week with a 100,000 copy initial run (!). It's stunning, a true delight from front to back. It's a story about finding a family and love in the most remarkable place. It features a unique cast of characters, all of which have distinctive voices and behaviors. It transcends the mundane. It deserves to be pumped and pushed. 

I normally only buy e-books these days, sometimes accompanied by the audio book for authors I love. I'll be buying the audio book AND the hardcover of this one because I want it in my library alongside his others. He's one of those rare authors - the ones I collect in all formats. 

So, give yourself permission to lose yourself in a unique and happy story. Pick up a copy of "The House in the Cerulean Sea" for yourself and urge your library to carry it. It's that good - pass the word. This one book and the love it shows towards all of the unique characters in the pages, is well worth a "shout out". 

As always, stay safe, stay well, and be careful out there. I'll be back on Monday. 

I'm Addicted to Reading

I've often said that I'm a reading addict, and as I moved my unread 2018 books onto a new listing and counted up the books I read during last year, I was a bit astounded. I guess I do always have my nose in a book! LOL. I read Nook books on my phone, and I almost exclusively buy e-books because they only take up virtual space. I guess you'll get an idea of why I insist on non-physical reading materials now. My grand total of e-books read during 2018 - 139! I also listened to more than 8 audio books, and read a variety of magazines, newspapers, and various articles (not counting surfing and researching on the internet and jumping down that rabbit hole). I've already started my 2019 TBR list of books. 

I didn't read TJ Klune's "Into This River I Drown" in
2018, I read it years ago and re-read it and re-read
it again and again. In 2018 I listened to the audio
version,  and loved it. I wept as much as the first
time I read it. 

It was a year of wonderful offerings by some of my favorite authors, and there's something so satisfying in getting a release notice about a new book in a series I've been enjoying. I have approximately 50 e-books that I carried over to my 2019 list. I already finished the first of my carryovers yesterday, starting the next in the series last night. I usually don't have that large of a carryover, so I'd better try and get caught up! 

For an outstanding audio book series, start with
"The Lightning-Struck Heart" by TJ Klune. There
are four books in the series, this is the first one,
and the rendering by Michael Lesley will have you
laughing (and crying because you're laughing
so much).  

I mention audio books because I really enjoy them too. I've learned that there are certain narrators I adore - their individual talents at separating character from character, adding appropriate sound effects, and generally making the words come alive are above the pale. Two that immediately come to mind are Greg Trembly and Michael Lesley. Both of these men are so talented, and anyone who can make the ending renditions of title, author, sound effects used, etc. interesting to listen to are talents with a capital T. 

The Broken Earth series - a trilogy - was a set
of books that I recommended to all of you last
fall. It was outstanding and worthy of the
many accolades it has been given. 

I never start the year with a reading goal - my only goals stretch to books that I know are in the process of being written, not to an end number. When I was young and my schools and local libraries did reading contests, I always won. They got to the point where they requested that I not participate "officially" so that others could win. I was pulled from a book into class roll call many times. Books suck me into their worlds and my happiest times are days when a book and I are joined in new worlds and adventures, with munchies and a beverage nearby and a comfortable place to sprawl. 

The basic story of my life since I first learned to read back
in the days of stone tablets and chisels. Once introduced to
the written word and the imaginations of authors, there
was no looking back. 

May you read something that catches your imagination today - book, magazine or audio book. May you expand your world and exercise your powers of inner vision through the words of others, enjoying that small piece of escape from the world as a whole. Sometimes escape is a necessary evil in today's tense and angry landscape. Enjoy your Friday and I'll return tomorrow. 

Grab Yourself A Book and Read - A New Book by TJ Klune

Today I'm urging you to discover/rediscover one of my favorite authors who has just released a new book - his first self-published book. Many of you already know the author's name - TJ Klune. I've written about him before, and his "Into This River I Drown" has been in my personal Top-10 list since it was first published in 2013. He'a a young man on a precipice - he'll be very well known within the next year or two. He's been offered and has accepted several multi-book contracts by a major publisher. His name will be known and recognized and it's a bright future that is well deserved. 

TJ's newest book is a stand-alone, although readers who
know "Big Eddie" from "Into This River I
Drown" will be pleased to have a cameo
of this beloved character appearing here. 

That doesn't change the fact that his newest release "The Bones Beneath My Skin" is now available. Nor does it change the fact that I'm highly recommending you to go and buy it - ebook or print - settle down with the beverage of your choice, and lose yourself in a remarkable story written by one of the more talented young authors writing today. 

"The Lightning-Struck Heart" is the first book in a four-book
series. I'm actually not as fond of this series as
some of his others, but it's tremendously
popular and the characters will stay
with you for a long time. 

What makes a great author for me? It's got to be someone who can pull me into a book within the first few pages, and make me sad to leave it behind at the end. It's someone writing something I think back on - the plot or the characters - having it pop into my head at odd times, and sometimes reading and re-reading it time and time again. It's got to be someone writing a book that's well-crafted, well-researched and well edited - no typos, no mixed character names, no slippery time issues. I've read 1000's of books in my life, not many authors are on my "must read anything they write" list. TJ Klune is one of those rare authors for me. I'll read anything he writes. I enjoy his angst more than his humor, but that's just my preference. 

TJ's favorite book is this one - "How To Be A Normal
Person". If you just want to stick your toe into the
vast pond of his works, this wouldn't be a bad start
for you. 

So I'm urging you to give yourself a treat today. Purchase a unique book with characters that won't leave you for a long time, and enjoy some talented writing. It's a great way to spend your weekend. Does it have to be the one I'm recommending to you? Of course not. But grab a book - a good book in a genre you adore - and settle down for a weekend of down-time and immersion. You deserve it. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Monday. 

Questions Answered and Two Book Recommendations

Thanks to all for the positives on our backyard re-do thus far. It's a lot of work, with years still ahead of us until we're finally done, but it's coming together. Sunday's sod project was essential. I've had a couple of questions that I'll try to answer. 

We're trying to avoid erosion like this in a rainstorm. We're
part of a larger watershed district and need to keep our
property intact during high waterflow times. 

The creek - I'll try to get a photo or two tomorrow, but the creek is actually quite a bit lower than the top of our yard. At least MOST of the time. When we get a real dousing thunderstorm, the creek acts as the water cache for the rain for the entire neighborhood. It flows between Oasis Pond, less than a mile to our south, and a larger lake forming the northern boundary of the Christian university located directly to our north. It's part of the watershed, and during a big rain, the water level can easily rise 10 feet or more in a matter of minutes. Scary! Our tree-filled lower banks and the work we're doing on the sculpted banks now are what will keep my house flood-free from the east. We can still have problems from other directions, but we've shored up our defenses against water from the creek. 

Snapping turtles are common in our area. They live along
the creek on our eastern border. 

The turtles - that's another photo I'll try to get later on this week. The "nest" itself is non-descript. If DH hadn't seen the turtle bury the eggs, we would have no idea where it was. Snappers bury their eggs and then leave - not warm and fuzzy parenting. The eggs usually hatch in early August and the little turtles are on their own. We've rescued baby turtles before, and I suspect if we see them we'll try to take them to a safer place again. The road to our north is very busy and we don't want flattened snapping turtles on the pavement. 

This book is lovely - beautiful, with sad and happy
parts and wonderful characters. 

I have two book recommendations for you today. Some wonderful authors. First is "The Inexplicable Logic of My Life" by Benjamin Alire Sanchez. I first found his work in a wonderful book called "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe", a coming of age story set within a Mexican-American framework. It resonated with my heart. "The Inexplicable Logic of My Life" was the second book I've read by this author and it's gentle loving characters and the cadences of language and life brought me back to the Southwestern US, a place I've loved for most of my life. I highly recommend either of the two books, but "Inexplicable" is the one I finished earlier this week. 

I adore TJ's books, and have been looking forward
to this release for a LONG time. Happy me! 

Also, today is the release day for the second book in TJ Klune's Green Creek saga. If you loved "Wolfsong", you'll love "Ravensong". I've been on pins and needles waiting for "Ravensong" to be released - have had it sitting in my cart as a pre-release for a week now. TJ Klune is a young author whose work I've followed for years. I'm not fond of 'shifter' novels, but "Wolfsong" pulled me in and it was wonderful. I've been reading excerpts from "Ravensong" when he's released teasers and it's going to be magnificent. Remember this author - he's got two $100,000 contracts for books coming in the next few years and there are talks of movies based on some of his work. He's been one of my Top Ten Authors for several years now and I'm keeping that status for him. I can hardly wait to finish my current book so that I can dive back into Green Creek. 

So there you have it - Le Tour is over, projects are ongoing, and July is coming to an end. It sounds like a wonderful time to pick up a book and spend some time reading, doesn't it? Happy Tuesday to all, I'll be back tomorrow. 

Some of My Top Ten Books

I love it when books, or the voice of an author, reaches out and grabs me. I love it even more when that feeling of "Oh yeah!" comes again and again, to the point where you trust that anything you read by the author will be good. By good, I mean the book will catch you, shake you, and won't let you go. Since the time of my childhood, JRR Tolkien has had that affect on me, and I like most of the reworked subsequent books that were assembled and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien as well. But there are others, of course, because I always have my nose in a book and Tolkien is only a single author. 

My first paperbacks of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series
were these - the original Ballentine editions. I first purchased
them in 1967, but they were released in the US in 1965. I
was in Junior High school and an amazing world opened up
in front of me. I've never looked back. I have a full shelf in
my library devoted to Tolkien, and many editions of LOTR. 

Moving back into my personal Top-10 Authors/Books list, I have to put Ayn Rand. I'm fully aware that her writing and her philosophy isn't everyone's cup of tea. I also know that the three major soliloquies in "Atlas Shrugged" are marked off in my well-used paperback copy, and I usually skip reading them. But I've read "Atlas Shrugged" about fifty times. I guess I can be forgiven for skipping them. The technology is dated, but the idea - the pulling back of the idea people who are exploited and almost raped for their minds - the idea is stellar. 

My edition of "Atlas Shrugged" is older than any
image I could find, and my copy is held together
by string. I've read it more than 100 times and
love it. It's not an easy read, but the characters
are compelling and the world - well, there are a
lot of similarities between the world of Dagney
Taggert and the world we live in today. 

Other books I love? I have to include "The Wind in the Willows" for no other reason than the chapter "Piper at the Gates of Dawn". Even now, with the book several rooms away, the thought of that chapter brings a tightness to my heart and tears to my eyes. A book has power if it can do that again and again. I think I first read this one when I was ten years old on my first trip to Mexico. The book and that trip are tied together in my mind, but I've read the book many, many times since then. 

My copy of "The Wind in the Willows" has the original
woodcut images, but I really liked this interpretation of
the "Piper At the Gates of Dawn" chapter. 

A few years ago, a young man began writing as a sideline. I purchased his e-book "Into This River I Drown" and have never looked back. I've followed the career and life of TJ Klune since that time. I've read and re-read "Into This River I Drown" many times and I still put it into my top-10 list. A lot has happened in TJ's life since that book first was published, and now he is a professional author and has a raft of books to his credit. I've loved every one of them and continue to purchase them every time he announces a new one. He's starting to write a young adult's series now under his "real" name, has an agent, and has a publisher. He's made his lifeline into a career and he's happy. Given the past few years of his life, I'm celebrating happy right along with him. 

I rarely purchase a hardcopy of an e-book, but I did
that for TJ Klune's "Into This River I Drown".
I think I have all, or at least most of what he's
written at this point - mostly in e-pub format.
He's one of those authors I'll read no matter what. 

In the 1960's I came across another author whose books I adored, read, re-read, and never stopped loving. Anne McCaffrey's amazing world of Pern captured my imagination and my love. It's hard for me to not embrace dragons, and her society of dragons, their riders and keepers, and the semi-feudal society they protect, is deep, multi-layered, and well conceived. There were characters I loved, others I didn't, and some books within the series I adored more than others, but it all started with "Dragonflight" and I was lost, enthralled, and entrapped. 

In 1968, Ballentine Books published the first
book of a new series by a new author. I have
this edition in my library. The cover is
dated, and there have been many editions since
this one, but this book caught me and never
let me go. 

This list isn't complete, and I know I've mentioned some of these before, but this is where my brain took me today as I leave for the pool with TJ Klune on my headphones and Amy Lane on my Nookbook app on my phone. My books are my life - I'd drop everything else from it, as long as I could still have my books. For me, reading is breathing, and I can't imagine a single day without burying my nose in a book, moving my mind to a different world. 

I'm sure you have authors and/or books that you love to read, that you would pack to take with you from place to place no matter what. Think through, choose one, and share it with me. Happy Wednesday to all! 

Withered + Sere - Read This Book

There are authors out there who work within the language with grace and style, introduce their readers to characters that imprint upon your soul, and who form plots that grab the reader, pulling them in into new worlds. It's what all authors strive for, but not many achieve. When TJ Klune wrote "Into This River I Drown", I read it and recommended it with my highest recommendation. It shot up into my list of Top Ten books and it resides there still.

TJ's newest book, "Withered + Sere" is stunning. I give it my unqualified recommendation. It's one of two books in Immemorial Year, the second due out by the end of the year (already in editing with the publisher, so we won't be left hanging too long while awaiting the second half of the story). In this book, the characters live in a dystopian future in a land filled with the aftereffects of world-wide nuclear devastation.

Sammy at "The Novel Approach" states it so much better than I can. All I can say is "Get this book, read it and remember how amazing good writing can be." Here's Sammy's review:

Title: Withered + Sere (Immemorial Year: Book One)

Author: TJ Klune

Publisher: DSP Publications

Length: 280 Pages

Category: Sci-Fi

At a Glance: This book is dark, full of despair, nightmares, living and dead and blood—lots of blood—and, oh my golly, it is brilliant!

Reviewed By: Sammy

Blurb: Once upon a time, humanity could no longer contain the rage that swelled within, and the world ended in a wave of fire.

One hundred years later, in the wasteland formerly known as America, a broken man who goes only by the name of Cavalo survives. Purposefully cutting himself off from what remains of civilization, Cavalo resides in the crumbling ruins of the Northern Idaho Correctional Institution. A mutt called Bad Dog and a robot on the verge of insanity comprise his only companions. Cavalo himself is deteriorating, his memories rising like ghosts and haunting the prison cells.

It’s not until he makes the dangerous choice of crossing into the irradiated Deadlands that Cavalo comes into contact with a mute psychopath, one who belongs to the murderous group of people known as the Dead Rabbits. Taking the man prisoner, Cavalo is forced not only to face the horrors of his past, but the ramifications of the choices made for his stark present. And it is in the prisoner that he will find a possible future where redemption is but a glimmer that darkly shines.

The world has died.

This is the story of its remains.



Review: Not since his novel Into This River I Drown has reading the work of author TJ Klune left me so gobsmacked—so completely overwhelmed, but Withered + Sere has done just that. How long do I have to wait for the sequel? More than thirty seconds is just much, much too long. What does a bad dog who may or may not be able to communicate with his master, a deranged, bible quoting robot named SIRS, and a psycho, bloodthirsty killer/weapon named Lucas have in common? One man with just one name, Cavalo. If you are thinking this might be a comedy for which Klune is undeniably a master in creating, think again—this one is no laughing matter—not by a long shot. It is dark, full of despair, nightmares, living and dead and blood—lots of blood—and, oh my golly, it is brilliant!

Set in a post-apocalyptic America where people have lived beyond the radiation and once again can have children and attempt to live off a land that was left smoldering from a nuclear shitstorm, our hero, or maybe antihero, Cavalo, manages to exist. He tries his very best to stay well away from other people, notably those living closest to him in Cottonwood, and stick to the non-human types. His companions include his dog, Bad Dog by name, who is loyal to a fault, and the robot SIRS who live with him in the correctional state prison Cavalo has chosen to call home. Abandoned and crumbling yet still functional in many ways, the prison is the only place Cavalo feels somewhat safe. So when he and Bad Dog decide to go hunting and end up in the badlands, and are nearly captured by the unspeakable monsters who live there—cannibals who kill anything that wanders into their territory—it is not surprising that Cavalo captures one of their own and brings him back for some good old post-apocalyptic justice in Cottonwood.

Lucas is one of the Dead Rabbits—the name of a bloodthirsty, lawless gang controlled by a mysterious leader named Patrick. All Cavalo knows about Lucas is that he is most definitely a psycho, a killer, and mute—the result of having his neck sliced clear across in the past and yet somehow managing to survive. But there is something more to Lucas—something that Cavalo recognizes, that Bad Dog calls “smells different,” and for that reason when Lucas is found being tortured by some newcomer at Cottonwood, Cavalo decides to rescue him and take him home—to the prison—and thus begins a journey that will wrap you up in alternating bouts of horror and fascination and keep you frantically reading to the very end—to the cliffhanger end that Klune promises he will make good on in the next installment.

I cannot begin to describe every good thing about this novel. First, there is the alternate world that is gripped in harsh storms and bone numbing cold, even though it is only October and still early in the winter season. Every moment spent in this incredibly well-crafted world gives you a better glimpse into the brilliant mind of this slightly demented author. You can feel this world deep in your bones and sense what it must be like to eke out an existence there. Next the wealth of characters, often mere ghost memories from Cavalo’s tortured memories, are never so many as to confuse the reader but rather, just enough to give this novel a feeling of fullness—of community—even though many in this little hamlet are already dead. The living are more harsh, hardened from living an almost hand-to-mouth existence, yet there is still some civility—a school for the children, sentries at the gate to warn of those horrible Dead Rabbits, families clinging to each other, and then those swift, frantic moments of stolen couplings that keeps them remembering what it once was like to be loved and love in return. And through it all we have Cavalo and that dog, Bad Dog, who I swear is the most precious animal I have ever seen, written into a story.

I could go on and on—I cannot wait for the next installment. With Withered + Sere, TJ Klune has unleashed nightmares that will rock you to the core, but he also has given you characters that will cling to your heart far beyond the last page. I cannot say more than this: I highly recommend this novel to you. It will rock your world in all the right ways.

Here's hoping I gave you a book to keep you involved while you deal with the heat or storms of the weekend. Have fun reading and I'll be back on Monday. 

It's Friday, Right? - MEH!

So, it's Friday and I'm very "Meh" about today. I feel fat and old, I feel uninspired, and I have no real desire to go to work and sell things to customers. But - like so many of you - I really don't have much of a choice. I have to sell things to put food on the table and pay the mortgage.

Maybe I just need some Happy Feet of my own today...

I haven't written anything original in more than a week which is a real dry spell for me. The Tolkien Weekly drabble prompts for the "Birds" series just really didn't do much for me. I have some basic ideas jotted down, but haven't been motivated to actually settle down and compose at all.

I'm just burned out today. 

Maybe I'm experiencing a bit of burn-out, or maybe I'd rather just have my head in a book and leave the writing to those who do it better than I do. At least for a while. I'm a bit frustrated on the writing end, though, because I'm feeling that practically every author does a much better job at the craft of writing than I do. It's a momentary depression and I'll really concentrate on not allowing it to take over my mind, but it's my daily struggle pushed to the next level.

Why stay with one flower when so many are calling out?

I think that part of why I'm struggling is the knowledge that I am not a unidirectional creator. I know people who work in one media and through that one media, they fine tune and eventually achieve success. I bounce all around like a ball in a pinball machine. I write, bead, paint, craft, enamel, and draw, and I'm sure there are other media that I enveloped into the above list or forgot completely like book binding and silk painting. I find it difficult to stay with a single flower when there is a field of blooms standing before me.

TJ and Eric - two people deeply in love whose world
crashed down within the past year. The highest highs
followed by the lowest lows. 

I think one thing affecting me this morning is the total destruction of a Happily Ever After that was so deserved, and so looked forward to and supported by so many. A love affair of several years that was due to find its culmination in marriage later this year crashed and burned because of the serious illness of one of the two partners. I'm stunned that the illness of one which now seems to have resulted in paralysis below the neck has been followed by a nervous breakdown in the other causing him to pull back to rebuild his own psyche. They have friends, supporters, and a network of people behind them, but their own physical realities have caused them to have to pull away from each other and their best support, their love for each other, may well not survive this blow. I've been reeling from this for the past few days and I guess I just have to think and internalize a bit more before my own balance is returned and creativity can come back.

In the meanwhile, it's Friday, the weather is beautiful, and a passing owl gifted me with a gorgeous feather which sits on my desk in front of me as I type this. I know things will improve, and apologize for using my blog as a toxic waste dump today. Back at you tomorrow and have a fabulous Friday.

How Can It Be Monday Once Again?!?

I call this time of the year 'schizophrenic' because our weather can range from snow one day to 60 F temps the next. But as this craziness works its way into April, the show piles are beginning to melt, the bare branches of the trees are beginning to look more fuzzy and fuller, and the first green blades of grass are peeking from the fields of brown left by melted snow pack. Those who enjoy winter sports are moving them indoors - the outside ice rinks are beginning to melt down, the ski slope 'resorts' are only operating with manufactured snow to augment the remaining snow pack, and the cross country skiers are simply out of luck. Me? I can live with it. As long as we don't get a really fast thaw, we won't flood and if we can dodge that bullet, my spring will be perfect. The end of March through end of April are dangerous times for my home, so I'm crossing my fingers and toes and enjoying the fact that I can wear jackets other than down.

This lovely picture is ice melt ponds in the Arctic Sea, but this is happening on
a much smaller scale at every frozen lake in my state. Given that we have more
than 10,000 of those lakes, there's a lot of melting going on. 

That said, we'll still have snow for at least another week or two. It probably won't stick, but it will be enough to make traffic a headache. It will melt soon, but melting snow and ice refreezes overnight. This is the season for slipping on the ice and the injuries that come with that. Since I have osteoporosis, I try to be a bit cautious about ice as I'm walking to and fro.

I'm thinking perhaps some ice traction like these or like Yak Tracks
might be the way to go while we're in our freeze/melt cycle. 

I need a new travel coffee mug. I purchased my mug in January 2001 at Caribou Coffee because I wanted a cranberry colored travel mug to match my new PT Cruiser. I still own my Cruiser and I still use my coffee mug every work day. I used to have an acquaintance who sat nearby at our old Caribou hangout (before they remodeled) who also had one of these mugs, but he lost his. To the best of my knowledge, I have the oldest travel mug in continuous use in my immediate group of friends and acquaintances. But it leaks. Just sometimes and not predictably, but it can be very inconvenient if it drips onto a clean blouse before my work day begins. Caribou emailed me a picture of a new mug they will offer starting tomorrow. It's green, and it looks as though the bottom will be the right size for my cupholders. If so, I might consider it. But then again, a little leak vs saying goodbye to an old and faithful friend? I'll probably end up dreaming but not taking action.

My cup holders in my car are rather narrow. I've been caught
before by purchasing a new mug that didn't fit properly. If I
decide to buy a new one, I'll have to check that out carefully. 

For my friends who know how much I enjoy the writing of TJ Klune and how fantastic I found his relationship with Eric Arvin, another wonderful author, I have an update. Eric underwent emergency surgery in December to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem. He's doing well and TJ has hardly left his side. The artist, Paul Richmond, painted a great cover piece for Dreamspinner Press's anthology "Grand Adventures" and he gave the painting to Eric and TJ. With Dreamspinner's permission, he is selling prints of the artwork through their website, with 100% of the proceeds going to these two young and talented authors. If you enjoy reading their work, or like the artwork of Paul Richmond, you might want to consider purchasing a print for yourself or as a gift. Just follow the link. They are only available through April 30th.

And finally, for this Monday and last day of March, I wish only the best for you and yours today and through the month to come. March came in like a lion with snow, cold, freezing winds. It promised a fantastic lineup of authors and artists for B2MeM. It more than fulfilled that promise by presenting excellent stories and wonderful artwork throughout the month, accompanied by much milder temperatures by the end of the month. Lent is more than half-over, and Ostara has come and gone for another year. It was an eventful month. End it with a bang and get yourself ready for a new month starting tomorrow.

Weather is weather, you gotta love it! 

Happy Monday - Happy March 31st!

A Wow Factor

What have you done or seen lately that caused you to stop and think "Wow!"? While watching a variety of TV shows lately, it seems like people were waiting for that "Wow!" to hit and it started me thinking (always a dangerous thing) about what I have done lately in my own life that would be "Wow!". Have I left my mark on this world? How will I be remembered?

I have blog posts - lots and lots of them, consistently, six days each week for years. That, as a work, could be a window into the psyche of an aging hippie if nothing else. I have a collection of works in progress - crafting, artwork and my original fiction pieces, but that's all in-progress. I have a wonderful house, husband, and a bunch of possessions (which are a little over-the-top right now until we get the latest "crap" put away), but they are just possessions.

Various earth works by Andy Goldsworthy.

I want to be able to look back at what I've produced and be happy with the mark I've left. I want to be able to write, paint, and work with my other art medias to allow my inner visions to finally be expressed. I have so many things in-works, and so little time to deal with them. I look around at my art books and I want to make things that make people's breath catch, just like mine does whenever I look at the art of Andy Goldsworthy or Vincent Van Gogh.  I want to write something that will hit the heart and emotions like TJ Klune or Marion Zimmer Bradley. I want to impact the world in a creative way, not just ring a cash register.

Like many of you, I had a poster of this on the wall of my dorm when I
was a college student. There's just something about this piece from Van Gogh. 

Don't get me wrong. I've helped hundreds of people with their personal quests to learn artforms, choose colors, and decide on projects. I've encouraged creativity in the shy, praised the efforts of the beginners as well as the experienced, and generally have tried to make a positive impact. But a positive impact isn't a "Wow!" factor. It's important - no doubt, but it's not a "Wow!".

So am I totally off-mark to want to leave an impact or at least something behind me that will be remembered after my death? What about you? What is your legacy for the future?