Author: Charity

A rose walk in the snow

So technically, it isn’t winter, not yet. It’s sure doing a good imitation of it:

Brrr. It’s cold out there today. And tomorrow? We’re getting three to six inches of snow, which I think means winter has officially arrived, no matter what the calendar says.

This made visiting the Giardino delle Rose even more enjoyable. Just for fun, I used a free Photoshop template and pulled together some of my favorite sights from the Rose Garden.

I also made a utilitarian one of images that directly related to the scenes I’m writing. That’s been helpful to place myself there as I write. Of course, I also have to put myself there when it’s dark, and the garden is closed. There’s not much I can do but make up that part of it. I did not sneak into the Giardino delle Rose after dark; I have no desire to cause an international incident.

Honestly, I doubt there’s a bad view from the Giardino delle Rose, but this is one of my favorites:

When the turkeys come to you

So I was working at my desk and happened to glance out the window in time to see this:

The turkey on my deck railing

So … is she visiting? Volunteering as tribute? I’m not sure, except she’s part of the gaggle that’s been wandering around the neighborhood and in and out of the woods this week. I suspect they sense what my weather app is currently predicting: cold rain, snow, and dropping temperatures.

I took what might be my last morning walk of the season this morning. I had to get at least one more in (and frankly, the afternoon is so lovely, I may take another).

In writing news, I get to visit the Giardino delle Rose in Florence this week!

Well, virtually, that is. I’m setting a couple of scenes there. This means scrolling through my Italy photos and creating a collage. The pain of it all!

I don’t suppose I actually need to do that, but I took pictures in part because I had a notion of setting at least one scene there.

In any event, it will be a nice counterpoint to the cold and snow coming my way.

Quiet Sunday

I’m happy to report that, a week later, kitty is so much better. I’m relieved. I’m also relieved that it’s the last day of antibiotics as well. Because, yes, there’s nothing like giving a cat some medicine.

So, I’m hoping for a much quieter Sunday. Knock on wood.

Some fun things from the past week (or so)

This last bloom of the year:

This view on this morning’s walk:

This hockey game (my son, playing for the Frost Giants):

I also started, in earnest, work on The Marigold Miracle. Mainly notes and thinking on paper, but that’s all part of the process.

Today’s goal, I hope, is to finish Possession. I’m not behind in the reading, but I’d like to finally finish the book.

Belated check-in

So, I spent a big chunk of Sunday at the emergency vet with our sweet old kitty (well, she was kind of spicy at the vet). We got her some antibiotics and will follow up for another underlying health issue later. But all things considered? Things turned out so much better than I expected, considering she’s a cat of a certain age (17).

Today, we (all of us) are tired, resting, and relieved.

Meet my nephew, the children’s author!

My nephew, Ryan Bani Tahmaseb, has a new book out today:

Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters is a middle-grade nonfiction book all about Persian mythology. It also has some gorgeous illustrations. I can’t wait to see my copies—one for me, one for the Little Free Library—when they arrive today.

Ryan was also featured in Publishers Weekly: Four Questions for Ryan Bani Tahmaseb.

He also has a picture book that was published last year:

Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen is adorable (and the copy I added to the Little Free Library vanished within days, or possibly hours).

Congratulations to Ryan! We are all so proud of you!

Of Halloween and cats

This morning’s observation: Cats do not care about the end of daylight-saving time. Cats want their breakfast. They want it NOW. So, get up, lazy human, and feed them.

This week was, of course, Halloween. And this year, I’m excited to report that we had many, many trick-or-treaters! I always put out a table by the Little Free Library since the dogs lose their minds over the doorbell and people coming up the walk. This setup makes it easier for everyone, even if I don’t get to see all the costumes.

It was raining, so the candy bowl had a lid.

When I went out later in the evening to check on the candy, this is what I found.

No one could bring themselves to take that last piece of candy.

Halloween achievement unlocked!

We also had the city’s book and pie sale this week, where they sell … books and pie (and sloppy joes). I donate books every year, but I’ve never actually been. The sale always ends before I was done with work, but not this year. So I headed on over and bought some books (not that I needed any) and a piece of pie. Not a bad way to round out October. (Well, minus the cat.)

Interview over at Long and Short Reviews

I meant to post this yesterday (and managed to send it to my email list), but then … the carpet installers showed up. They were awesome! The basement looks great! But! Chaos reigned for the rest of the day.

So, I’m sending you over to my interview on Long and Short Reviews. I think the contest to win a $25 bookstore gift card is still open. So comment and enter to win!

Take stock November

Sunrise on this morning’s walk.

First, how is it almost November? Seriously? How?

Second, I am looking forward to November. I want to take stock, look ahead to the upcoming year, and consider what I want to write in the coming months. Obviously, more Pansy. That goes without saying.

Now that I’m no longer in burnout from the day job, I’m trying to figure out how much writing I can tackle.

Full-time writing isn’t something I have experience with. I’m so used to squeezing in my fiction writing in the margins of my life. I want to be more expansive without burning out on the writing itself. I suspect this will take experimentation and balance.

In other news, my daughter and I have cleared out the basement and pulled up the carpet and the tack strips. Y’all, we did this Friday, and I’m still sore and achy. But hopefully this week, we’ll have the new carpet installed (this is not a task we’re performing—we’re not that masochistic).

In a week or two, this should be the cozy space we’ve been wanting for a while. Perfect for pondering plans (or possibly world domination, but I’m feeling a little too sore for that).

Here’s to November! (I think.)

Release week recap

Well, I’m pleased. After four years of publishing absolutely nothing, The Pansy Paradox had what I consider a very good release week.

I was lucky enough to garner a BookBub New Release for Less deal:

So, how did I celebrate? On Thursday, I had my annual exam and got the flu, COVID, and shingles shots. As one does. I did not time that well. I’m still a little achy, and I’m running a low-grade fever. I’ll keep this short and hopefully have more to say next week.

The Pansy Paradox in the wild!

It’s release day for The Pansy Paradox!

You can buy the novel almost anywhere. You can read for free with a Kobo Plus subscription. Or request it from your local library (in eBook or print).

It’s also release day for The Capstone Conundrum, also known as that time when Henry almost met Pansy.

It’s free for my newsletter subscribers as well. But it’s also on sale everywhere, since I know a lot of people don’t want another newsletter in their lives.

If you’re on the fence about The Pansy Paradox, you can always download the extended preview.

If you decide to read, I so hope you enjoy Pansy, Henry, and their adventures.