Trick or Treat

Somehow, we have arrived at the last day of October.  Time is flying by, and soon it will be Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a whole new year.  Ugh.  We'll just stick to Halloween for now, if it's all the same to you.

I finally christened the Dream Dutch Oven on Friday.  I made a huge pot of Chicken and Dumplings.  Yum.  I haven't made either for years, and though the dumplings were a bit like gnocchi, they were still good.  

I meant to take a photo just after I took off the lid, when the dumplings filled the pot, but I forgot, so this is a crappy picture with half the gnocchi dumplings, and minus two bowls of the chicken.

In the future, however, I will stick to the tried and true recipe passed down from Granny, to Mom, to my sister and me.  I lost the original somewhere, so had to use a different one.  Oh well.  Live and learn, I guess.  I asked Mom to email me the right one for future dumpling making events.  The Lodgeware lived up to its reputation, and it cleaned up like a dream, too.

Yesterday my mother drove up from Grants Pass and we hit all the thrift shops in town.  It was really fun, and she found some really cool stuff.  I bought three Hawaiian shirts (I'm addicted.  I could have bought a dozen, though reined myself in and only got the three to add to my collection.  I don't know of a better thing to wear on a hot day than one of these shirts.  Big, loose, comfy.  Maybe I love them because I lived on Maui for a time, or because they're beautiful, or just because.  Whatever.  I now have three more.)

After she left, I spent the evening doing the last tweaks to The Book.  Today I will attempt the pdf nightmare process, send it to CreateSpace for the final, I'm-really-done-this-time-I-swear-it, proof copy, then tomorrow NaNo begins.  Yikes.  So not prepared, but what else is new..??  I write in the "divine inspiration" style, and though it freaks me out, it somehow works.  I think.

So, have a great All Hallows Eve, don't eat too much candy, and beware of what goes bump in the night.  Here's an adorable Halloween photo to brighten the day.  This little kitty is just too cute, especially with those wee ears poking out of the hat...

Clever Bookstore

A great way to advertise the opening of this new bookstore In Arizona.  You can't help but feel for the employees who will have to restock those shelves, though no doubt it was worth it, and a whole lot of fun to set up...and knock down.

Video courtesy of Presurfer

Friday Nature Walk

The rains have stopped, for the moment at least, which made for a really nice walk in the park with Ozzy this afternoon.  I have been waiting for a few days to get some photos of the changing trees, and managed to get some shots today, though the rain and winds had stripped several beautiful ones before I could take any pictures.  Oh well.  At least I got these...

We went to Stewart Park (the Central Park of Roseburg).  These trees are on the edge of one lot where we usually park the car.  We drink our coffee--usually at a picnic table--while Ozzy snacks on his treats, then we cross the street, toward that avenue of red trees, and start the hike.

The clouds chose the very instant I snapped this photo to cover the meager sunlight, making it a bit dark.

Sun came back out, brightening everything.  I love the deep red color.  Nature is astounding.

Part of our walk meanders alongside the golf course.  These two trees would totally distract me if I were trying to golf.  They look so vibrant against the darker evergreens.

This is our turnaround point.  Across the next street is a kids playground area, a long, steep slope, then the Umpqua River.  We don't go that far usually because a) screaming kids, and b) teenagers making out.  (Now, don't get me wrong.  I did my fair share of making out in my youth.  I just didn't do it in broad daylight, in front of anyone taking a bloody afternoon walk..!!  Honestly, kids today...)

Headed back to the car.  The tree on the right--a few days ago--was absolutely brilliant red, and laden with leaves.  Now it's looking a bit sparse after the rains and wind.  (Lovely golf carts in the background.)

Closer shot...minus the carts.

I just love the amazing variety of colors.  These would make a dynamite lipstick, or fingernail polish, wouldn't they..??

Back at the car, ready to drive home, the Nature Walk over...at least for today.  I love Fall.  (And yes, I capitalized it on purpose.  It's a word filled with beauty, dazzling colors and natural wonder.  It deserves to be capitalized.)

Just One of Those Days

I'm having a semi-busy day, plus don't really have much to blog about...other than grousing, which is boring. 

The house painting is a not happening at the moment because of the weather; we can't use the garage because they have painted the floor (which won't dry...because of the weather); I am finishing the last, forever, the end I swear it, editing of The Book, which should be done by this evening; I haven't had time to carve any pumpkins...for the first time in years, and that makes me cranky because I love carving pumpkins...boo...hoo.

So, instead of moaning on here, I will post a video or two, which will be ever so much more fun than reading about my minor angst issues.  That is, if I can post the vids.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  Here goes... 

This is the cutest video of Misty the Cat, and Lucky the Jack Russell.  I loved this one.

 

And, buggers...the other video won't load.  See..??  It's just one of those days.  Still, the one above is good enough.  Morag, in Scotland, sent me a great Halloween video, but there was no link to embed the code and no matter what I try, it won't work, so, no sharing, in other words.

I'll leave you with this photo instead...and how funny is this..??  One tired, wee puppy, for sure.  And, judging by the size of his feet, he will really need that food to grow into them..!!

Photo courtesy of All Creatures

Not Much...

Alrighty then.  I finished The Book this afternoon.  It really helped to refresh my memory, though hasn't helped too much with my looming NaNo project next Monday.  I hope when I sit down to start Book Two, my brain will engage and the continuation of the story won't seem as elusive as it does right now.  I hate this part.  The angst and the worry and the can I do it again bit.  My stomach roils.  Ugh.

The house painting hasn't progressed one jot either.  The guys come, the rain pours, they leave.  We just missed the window on this...of course.  Two weeks ago I was still sweltering in the high 70s; since last Thursday we've been in the 50s and under deluge after deluge.

On Sunday I watched a major storm front come across the valley from two directions.  When the two merged, there was thunder, lightning, lashing rains...it was great.  Except for the house painting part.

One part of the storm came from the right, and down the center, sweeping across the valley...

...to imminently collide with the other part coming from the left.

It rained and stormed all day Sunday and Monday, and most of yesterday.  Today wasn't as bad, though everything is soaking wet and dripping.  Tomorrow is supposed to be better, though only for the day.  I hardly think the entire house can be painted and dried in one day, so who knows when (if) the job will actually be started, let alone finished.  And I was worried about finding the right paint colors in time.  Buggers.

Since I've spent the last two+ days reading The Book, I haven't done much else to blog about really.  Ozzy seems to have recovered from his back thing, Alan drives me nuts (as only a husband can), and I'm fretting about NaNo.  Same ol', same ol' then.

Maybe what is needed here is this, from Miss Cellania:

A man goes into a restaurant and takes a seat. All the waitresses are gorgeous. A particularly voluptuous waitress, wearing a very short skirt and legs that won't quit, came to his table and asked if he was ready to order. "What would you like, sir?"
He looks at the menu and then scans her beautiful frame top to bottom, then answers, "A quickie."
The waitress turns and walks away in disgust.
After she regains her composure she returns and asks again, "What would you like, sir?"
Again the man thoroughly checks her out, smiles, and again answers, "A quickie, please."
This time her anger takes over, she reaches over and slaps him across the face with a resounding "SMACK!" and storms away.
A man sitting at the next table leans over and whispers, "Um, I think it's pronounced 'quiche'."

Good one.  Hope it made you smile...it did me.

Busy Monday...

Time Out

A totally miserable (read: wonderful) Sunday in Roseburg.  High winds, lots of lashing rain...ahhh...it's heavenly, and feels so much like Edinburgh.

I have been buried in the lounge chair, book in hand, highlighters at the ready, for most of the afternoon, other than taking a break to go down the mountain during a lull in the storm to take Oz to the park.  Now that we're back, and so is the rain, I'm going to nestle into that oh-so-comfy chair and get on with my reading/work.

Time out for the blog today.  I'll leave you with this adorable little Chihuahua in his/her Halloween costume.  Hope it brings you a smile (though the wee dog doesn't look too pleased).

Photo courtesy of Pat McNulty

Eureka..!!

When I woke up this morning and made my way to the coffee pot, I walked past the 10,000 color charts/chips that I'd left scattered all over the kitchen counter top last night.  Suddenly the two colors I wanted for the house were right in front of me.  I grabbed the chips and dashed out to the deck, in the natural light, and Houston, we have liftoff..!!   I was so excited, I forgot I was in my pajamas on the front porch.  After a bit of searching and finagling, I even found the color for the three doors.  Ah...what a relief.

The body of the house will be in a color called Rock Cliffs, which to me seems like it would be gray.  It's not.  More a warm desert sand color.  The trim is Jamesboro Gold, though again, isn't actually a true gold color at all, but rather a rich, deeper shade of a brownish gold.  The doors will be in this dynamite shade of green called Dark Sage.  I tried to take some photos of the chips, but it was impossible to get the right tones/shades.  I'll just have to take pictures of the before and after when the guys get around to painting the house.

As I was flipping through the paint colors, I was struck by the names.  Some of them make no sense at all to me (Rock Cliffs being one), but others conjured up whole plot scenarios in my mind...or would make brilliant book titles.

Make No Sense Names

Ghost Ship  -  Wouldn't you think this would be a misty gray..??  No.  It's brown.

Twilight Stroll  -  I see this like a dusky rose, or mauve-ish purple.  Nope.  It's teal blue.

Niagara Mist  -  White and foamy and ethereal..??  Wrong.  It's a yellowish green.

Foggy Beach - This one really throws me.  I can easily see a foggy beach, and have been on several in my day.  Never were they an olive color. 

Plots/Book Titles

Winter's Breath

Midnight Hour

Moondance

Cathedral Glass

You gotta wonder who puts names to these colors.  Some of them are great, others don't match any kind of reality.  Oh well.  I don't care anymore.  I've found the house colors and now can get on with other things.

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Earlier today I was walking past the big window that overlooks the backyard.  At the top of a large pine tree sat this lovely creature, a female Blue Jay.

I took the photo really fast, thinking she would spot me and fly away.  Not so.  It seemed like she was posing for me as I took these:

 

Such pretty birds.  I love the males, with their punk rock topknots.  I'll probably never get a photo of one though as they are always squawking and flapping and flitting around...sort of like any typical male.

So now that the Great Color Search is over (deep sigh), I'm going to gather my highlighter pen, post-it notes, tablet and pen, and The Book...and nestle into the big, comfy lounge chair, as the rain pelts down outside, and read.  A good Saturday afternoon after all...

Rewind

Since my last real post was Tuesday when I said we were meeting with the paint contractor on Wednesday morning, I'm going to backtrack a bit.

Rick, the contractor, came bright and early Wednesday morning, we told him what we wanted, he did the measuring and figuring, then sat in his truck with his computer and in 20 minutes gave us an estimate.  Which, I have to say, is the least expensive thing we've tackled since we arrived in America.  Natch, we told him to go ahead.  And were pretty amazed when he said he'd have the crew at the house on Thursday morning.  He's a really nice guy, and yet again, by accident and good fortune, we found another excellent local contractor.

Course, the next thing to do was decide what colors to paint the house.  And I have been struggling with that dilemma ever since.  Rick gave me about 10,000 color charts that I have been pouring over, and Alan and I have driven all around town looking at other house colors, but damn if I can find the colors I have in my mind.  It really is crucial to do this right as once the house is painted, there's not much you can do about it except live with your choices.

Today the guys spent most of the day working on the garage floor that Alan wants sealed and painted.  The weather was pretty dicey, so after they did some prep work on the house, they concentrated on the garage.  Which was a good thing.  The faster they finish the prep work, the less time I have to pick the paint colors.

 

I feel under the gun, too--in getting things organized and/or decided--since I only have a little over a week before NaNo starts.  And I haven't gotten too far in rereading the first book so I can smoothly reenter the plot of the second book, plus I have to make a few corrections in the first one which I don't have time for, and now won't until after November.  Arrgghh.

The weather has taken a definite dive, and the weekend promises to be really stormy, so with any luck I will finally make a decision on the frigging house colors, which will free my mind so I can get back into my story.  Sounds like a plan, doesn't it..??  Uh huh.

Short one...

I had a longer post planned for today, but just spent all my blog time instead talking on the phone to my BFF in Idaho.  I'm telling you, once we get chatting...

Anyway, we are starting the house painting process, which thankfully is supposed to be done and dusted in about seven days, if it doesn't rain.  So, of course, for nearly the first time in months, there's a big storm coming over the weekend.

I'm actually glad of the reprieve.  I can't decide on the right colors.  One minute I'm positive, the next I'm not.  Ugh.  You would never know I am a quilter and can match color combinations in fabric all day long, with my eyes closed.  It's entirely a different matter when it's your house, isn't it..??

The crew came this morning, dropped off their "paint wagon", did all the pressure washing and called it a day.  Ozzy is going, "Oh crap, now what..??"

Speaking of Oz.  I think he's doing good, then he moves wrong and yelps.  His meds are over, so I'm really hoping his back will stop tweaking him soon, otherwise it's back to the dreaded vet for him.  He does love to lay on his big bed in the sunshine almost as much as running through the grass at the park.

Tomorrow I will catch up on what's been happening over the past few days around here, and with any luck, I will have settled on the wretched paint colors.  I live in hope.

Tuesday Tidbits

We met with Matthew, the landscape guy, this morning and drove all over the valley looking at his previous projects. He does really good work. It helped us to decide what stone to use for the wall in the front of the house, and what to use for the pathways (one to the Sink Hole near the back door, and the other off the back deck to the Path of Doom). After we had made our decisions, I was ready for him to start right away, but unfortunately, he is so busy, we are on his schedule for sometime in January. Nuts.

When we were finished with Matthew, we took Ozzy to the park, and while we sat in the glorious mid-70s sunshine, talking about the landscaping, we remembered we had planned to have the house painted early next year. Well, it doesn't make much sense to have all this wonderful work done to the yard, then have painter people trash the new shrubs and trees while they paint. (Can you hear the sound of coins clinking--lots and lots of coins--as they drop into the money pit..?? Yeah, me too.) 

We're now trying to figure out how to find a reliable paint contractor, which is difficult when you're new to an area and don't know anyone. We totally lucked out when we found Brian, the deck guy, as he and his crew did the best job we could have wanted, plus recommended Matthew. I called a company that Alan noticed the other day as we drove up the mountain.  They were doing a building, which from the street, looks really good.  They are coming tomorrow to give us an estimate, and though I realize it would be better to get the painting done first, then the landscaping in the new year, I'm having trouble thinking clearly over the ka-ching, ka-ching noises. 

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I forgot to post a few photos the other day. My sister brought me two totally great things when she came last weekend (besides the Trader Joe's stuff). She and Scott went to Port Townsend a few weeks back--a place they love, and manage to visit several times a year. She ran into some folks from the local Writers Workshop and told them about my NaNo experience last year, and my book, etc. Here's what she brought me:

Is that funny, or what..?? I will have my morning coffee in this mug, starting November 1st.

Then there was this...and though I will never use it as intended--it's too cool--I have it on my reference book shelf where the heavenly aroma of lavender fills the study. I had a good laugh at the cleverness of the label.

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Have you ever coveted a piece of cookware..?? I am usually fighting domesticity with everything I'm worth, so there isn't much that makes me drool, cookware-wise. Except...a Lodge cast iron Dutch Oven, in bright, gleaming red. 

Alan and I were grocery shopping at Freddie's the other day and as we turned down the housewares aisle, this stunning, gorgeous red thing captivated me. When I saw it was a Lodge, I had to stifle the whimpers before I embarressed myself in public. If there's one pot/pan/whatever that I have always wanted, it would be this. I told Alan about Lodge cookware, and how much I'd love to have this pot one day...and bless him, he decided it would make a perfect anniversary gift (remember last week, the anniversary-that-wasn't..??) I tried to muster the suitable, "No, no. Not now, just sometime before I die, I would love one of these Dutch Ovens." He could tell my heart wasn't really into refusing, so he gave me the please, spare me look, and put it in the trolley.

When we got home I left the groceries on the counter and unwrapped my treasure first thing. At least five times a day I fondle the sides, or lift the lid. I can't even have it out of my sight, so it sits on the stove top.  God knows how I will ever cook anything in it...it's far to beautiful to be sullied with food.

And how could I possibly mar this pristine, white porcelain interior with...ugh...food..??

Still. There's also my fantasy of making a big pot of chicken and dumplings on a cold, winter's night, so maybe when that day comes, I'll actually be able to use my dream Dutch Oven. Maybe.

Class Reunion

My friend Morag, in Scotland, sent me this video today.  It's really good...and funny.

Quiet Sunday Afternoon...

It's a quiet day now, though the weekend itself has been anything but. 

My sister was driving down to visit Mom for Friday and Saturday, then coming here for Saturday night and Sunday before driving back up north in the afternoon.  That was the plan, though when our mother ended up in the hospital Friday morning, that added some drama to the weekend.

Mom had some kind of gastro-intestinal attack and had to be admitted for tests and meds, and hospital time, to solve the mystery of why.  All ended well, with Mom now home safe and sound, but the pleasant weekend my sister had planned with her/me didn't quite work out as expected.

Still. Once everything went from high anxiety to everything is fine, my sister came here late Saturday and left about noon today.  It was, as always, great to see her, though it seemed like she'd barely arrived, before she was leaving.  She brought me several yummy treats from our favorite store, Trader Joe's, so I'm stocked up for some great meals in the future.

I made Ina Garten's (Barefoot Contessa) Mac and Cheese for dinner--the best recipe ever--and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  This is the first time I've made the cookies since being back in America, so it was an extra treat--besides eating them--to have the right chocolate chips, instead of the British version.  I made a huge amount of Mac and Cheese, so she could take dinner home with her for tonight, then Alan and I will suck down eat the rest for our dinner.  Naturally, I made plenty of cookies so I could send a bunch home with my sister--and hopefully they will all make it home for her to share with her husband..!!

Last night, after dinner, we were standing outside as the sky darkened.  I took this photo of a beautiful sunset, which somehow came out very surreal and smudged, though the colors are accurate.  My camera must have been in macro mode as I have a brilliant image stabilizer function on everything except macro.  Or maybe it was the two bottles of Lambrusco the three of us drank before, during and after dinner...

After my sister left today, we took Ozzy to the park.  It's a glorious Fall day, in the high 60s, blue sky and just about perfect, weather-wise.  Oz is doing much better with his back injury, and the meds are obviously working as he's no longer squeaking and/or yelping every time he moves or gets up off the floor, though it was pretty crappy for the first three days after he hurt himself.  I took my camera as the trees are finally starting to turn.

This one, in the middle of the park, was just spectacular in the sunshine.

We didn't stay long as we are still minimizing Ozzy's exercise until next Wednesday (vet's orders).  After we got home, Alan and Oz took afternoon naps, and I sat out on the front porch in the sun.  This is my favorite view from my deck chair.  I love that gnarly oak tree, which is perfectly centered in the view.

If I stand up, this is the picture without the stair rails.

I think it must be about time for a cup of coffee and a few of those chocolate chip cookies.  And, yes, that's one of the few advantages of adulthood: you can eat dessert before dinner if you want to.

Got a Kleenex..??.

This is heartbreakingly cool.  A vet returning from Iraq after 14 months away from his two dogs.  What a welcome home.

Bad Day for the Oz Man

When you start your day, you often think you know how it will go.  You've made plans, have an idea of what needs to be done, etc.  Inevitably things happen, or change, or get in the way of those plans.  Take today, for instance.

We were going to the pet store to get some birthday stuff for Cooper, my sister's Jack Russell.  She's driving down this weekend and I figured I could send his toys back with her--his birthday is next week.  We also had to hit Michael's to get some things to finish the last of the pictures we want to hang.

So, as we're preparing to leave, I see Ozzy, gazing forlornly out the front window.  We were just going to dash down the mountain and come right back, but honestly, could anyone resist this pathetic wee creature..??  I put down my purse and grabbed my camera.

He heard me take his picture, turned to give me a look, then went back to window gazing.  Well, hell.  Of course, he had to come with us.

We raced into Michael's, got our stuff in record time, then went across the mall parking lot to the pet store.  Ozzy, of course, could go in with us.  We're wandering down the toy aisle when suddenly Oz started screaming like someone had stabbed him.  He cried and writhed around and totally freaked me out.  I quickly dropped to the floor, trying to figure out what had happened, but the minute I touched him he started crying and yelping.  I took off his harness, thinking maybe there was a burr or something that was gouging him.  Nothing.  When I tried to pick him up, more screaming.  It was totally horrible.  After a few minutes, he calmed down and I was able to carry him.  Needless to say, we left the store and came home immediately.

He cried briefly when I lifted him out of the car, but then raced up the stairs like nothing was wrong.  We were stymied.  He had his lunch, no problem, but afterward he kept making little squeaking noises.  Now, this isn't out of the ordinary for him.  When he thinks it's time for a walk, he doesn't hesitate with the "poor me, take me to the park" stuff.  We decide to go to the park earlier than usual in the hope that will settle him down.

Into the car, no issues; get drive-thru coffee, all is good; then when I lift him out of the car at the park, he screams like I've just zapped him with a cattle prod.  I gently set him down, and he promptly runs across the grass like life is groovy.  Cripes.  Mystified, Alan and I sit at a picnic table while I call the vet on my cell.  They say it might be his back and bring him in for x-rays.  At this point he's laying in the grass, and seems none the worse for wear, and as we are only five minutes from the vet, we figure we can finish our coffee.  I take one sip, and as Ozzy rises from his laying down position, he staggers, and suddenly his back legs give out and he's flailing.  Alan and I forget the coffee and head for the vet.

Long story, short.  After the x-rays, the vet determined that Ozzy apparently, somehow, wrenched his back, probably slipping and/or twisting on the slick floors at the pet store.  I didn't see him do that, but whatever happened, it happened there.  His x-rays looked good, though he has slight deterioration in two discs--mainly because he's getting older--but no spinal injuries or anything crippling or horrifying.

He is now restricted from all walks, has to be carried down the stairs to the backyard, and is not allowed to jump up on the couch, the bed, or do anything really, except rest.  I looked at the vet in total disbelief.  He laughed and said, "I know, I know, but he has to rest for at least a week."  He's on anti-inflammatory meds, though not steroids, thank goodness for small favors, but when he feels better, heaven help us.  He really, really loves his walks, and trips to the park.

We came home and Alan immediately had to head back down the mountain to buy this:

The only option we have to keep Ozzy from going up or down the stairs.  Course, this means I have to go out the front door, down the steps, and through the garage to get to the laundry room, but hey, it's only for a week...right...??

Here's the poor wee guy this afternoon.  He is definitely having a bad day.  I think hiding behind the couch makes him feel better.  Not a happy doggy.

So.  The things I thought I would accomplish today have been blown out of the water, Ozzy is in painful misery, we now have an attractive new decoration: a baby gate, and who would have thought when the day started, that it would end this way..??  Best laid plans, and all that rubbish.

Just Tuesday

Yesterday Alan gave up on his computer. It just wasn't working, and his new desk was laden with too much equipment, including my old laptop. So, he did some research and found a brilliant deal on a laptop (and may I interject here by saying: That's what I said to do in the first place when we were still in Edinburgh; not only more convenient spatially, but it would save on shipping the behemoth British computer to America...sigh).   Anyway.  We went down the mountain, to Staples of all places, and he has now been happily ensconced at his desk with his new HP ever since.

We took Ozzy to River Forks park again in the afternoon, before the trip to Staples.  He really loves that place and runs with such wild abandon, it's a joy to watch.  Fall is just now starting to show its colors, though it's a far cry from anything I'm used to in Scotland.  The past two days have been a bit chilly in the mornings, but definitely not cold enough to kick-start the trees into changing yet, and by afternoon it's back to sunny and warm.

This is just about the only tree in the park that is showing signs of autumn, and even so, you can barely see the red in the upper branches, even if you click on the photo.

Last night as I was closing the blinds, the darkening sky opened a portal to who-knows-where.  It was beautiful, and eerie as it only lasted for moments.

Today we went into Sutherlin to pick up a sewing machine cord for my Pfaff.  I bought this particular machine in the UK because it has the ability to switch from UK to US electrical systems.  All I had to do was get the US cord, flip a button on the base of the machine, and I would be all set for America.  That's a great plan if you live in a large city, rather than the wilderness.  Eventually, about two weeks ago and after several phone calls and internet searches, I found this quilting/sewing place in Sutherlin, ordered the cord, and yesterday this very helpful woman who owns the shop called to tell me it had arrived.  At first glance, I thought I was doomed as the plug into the machine didn't match, but when I got home, I managed to fit a square plug into a round hole.  Go figure.  Which just disproves that old adage (square peg, round hole) because in fact, it can be done..!!  I flipped the switch, turned on the power, and yippee...my excellent machine is good to go.

I forgot to mention this interesting thing.  The other day when Matt, the landscape guy was here, he told Alan his father-in-law belonged to the Scottish Society of Roseburg.  Alan already knew about them and had sent a few inquiring emails from Edinburgh, but the funny thing was, the in-law's last name is a name in Alan's family tree..!!  How weird is that..??  Those darned Scots are everywhere, aren't they..??  And as the name is very odd and different, Alan told Matt he would get in touch with the father-in-law and compare notes...or tree branches...or something.  And good grief, wouldn't that be strange if they were somehow related..??

My sister called really early yesterday morning.  I thought something had happened as we never talk that early in the day, but instead it was good news.  She had just finished reading my book...!!!  We talked for about an hour about the characters, the plot, what happens next, etc.  Her enthusiasm was just the hit I needed to boost my energy levels for NaNo in November.  She has never read a paranormal book in her life, and still she loved it.  She said she shed a tear or two, laughed out loud, and flipped the pages like mad to find out what was going to happen next.  Wow.  It just totally made my day.  Though...now she's insisting on weekly updates when I start Book Two.  What have I done..??

That about covers things for a warm and sunny Tuesday up the mountain.  I should get something planned for dinner before walking Ozzy and finishing the laundry.  Or...maybe I'll just sprawl on the couch and read.

Photo courtesy of Pat McNulty

Jesse

OMG, this is the most clever Jack Russell I have ever seen.  It just goes to show that even though these cool little dogs have a reputation for doing their own thing (to say the least--and trust me, I had one), they are amazingly trainable.  What a great YouTube video.

Found at Miss Cellania

Rainy Day Thoughts

A gloriously, wonderful, rainy Sunday in Roseburg.  I can't begin to describe my elation at the weather.  Rain, sort of cold, almost autumnal, and so like Edinburgh I finally feel comfortable.

I changed my Meandering photo last night.  I was in a funk apparently--judging by my boohoo-I'm-tired-and-grouchy blog--so after posting, I wistfully shifted through my digital photo albums and the picture, taken between Crieff and Dunkeld, in Perthshire, just hit me as the one I wanted to look at.  (When my sister came to Edinburgh to visit us a few years ago, we were returning from the Highlands and stopped to take pictures of this view.  As the three of us stood there, admiring the mountains, the farm road going off into the distance, the quiet, a cuckoo began...singing..??...cuckooing...??  Whatever.  It was cool.  My sister and I agreed that we had never heard a live cuckoo before.)  Alan and I went on a long drive one day last year, ended up in the same place, and I took this photo.

I miss Scotland so much, I had to call my ex-neighbor and friend Morag this morning, just for a hit of "home".  We talked for quite awhile, catching up on the neighborhood news and other topics.  During the course of our chat, she asked me where my collection of vases were in the new house.  I told her I would take some photos and post them in the blog today.

So, for Morag:

The kitchen...and the vases above the cabinets.  And the doggie cookie jar, next to Jack the terracotta Pumpkin, on top of the frig.  I'll be setting Jack outside in a week or so with some real pumpkins when I get back to Kruse Farms to buy them before Halloween.

A closer look at the dog/cat cookie jar.  I bought this years ago in a great shop on the south side of Edinburgh.  They had the most amazing selection of unique and unusual cookie jars; this one was just too perfect to pass up.

More vases, and my Italian pottery at the far end, by the clock.  It's great to see the Italian stuff, which had been in a box, in the attic, in Edinburgh for literally years.  (Pretty hard to see in the photo, though I love looking up and seeing them on the cabinet.)

A broader view of the kitchen...and thank goodness for those outer cabinets that surround the kitchen.  Without them, we would be doomed for space to put things.  And believe me when I say: they are stuffed.

Better view of the vases, cookie jar and Jack.

After taking the above photos, I wandered into the study and took these few pictures.  When I posted the cubby box photo, in a blog last week, I didn't have the futon couch set up.  Here's how the guest room part of the room looks, now that the study is totally finished.

When company comes (and Morag: you figure out when you can come, and we'll take care of the rest..!!), I can move my desk/table to the left a bit, unfold the futon couch, and Bob's your uncle.  This will be a great room to work in, too.

Except for maybe...this part.  I sat in my chair, at my writing table, to take this shot.  What a distraction.  On the other hand, it might free my mind to soar.  Well...in theory at least.  (And see how crappy the weather is..??  Outstanding...)

So...there you go, Morag..!!  I can always picture you, and Poppy, and the neighborhood; these photos might answer your questions, and give you a better visual of my space.

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An interesting thing.  Today is that once-in-a-century date: 10/10/10...and coincidentally, this is my 110th posting in 2010.

Okay...maybe that factoid is just interesting to me...??

But here's the best part:  I have done absolutely nothing today.  Yahoooooo..!!  Except for get homesick and call Edinburgh, take Ozzy on a rainy afternoon walk in the park, and write this blog, I truly haven't done a thing.  Bliss, perfection, heaven.  Now I am going to get my book, cuddle up on the sofa, and...**gasp**...READ..!!  A most excellent Sunday.