February’s Off to a Pretty Start

Just a few photos from the last two days, driving in to work. Nice to see a bit of blue sky, it’s been so dark and rainy for so long.

 

Sunrise Colors

Breaktaking colors this morning, and a shot of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in the eastern sky just before daybreak. Venus is the top, brightest one, then little Mars, and Jupiter.

Hood, geese, river of gold

sunrise colors

sunrise

Sunrise colors with shadow from Mt Hood

Venus, Mars, & Jupiter

 

 

Rain + Sun = Rainbow

Left side

Right side

Just a few shots from my morning commute. There was a double but I just couldn’t fit it all in the image. I kept wanting to stop and take pictures on the way in but didn’t have time! Grrrr. Hence some lousy framing and road signs.

I love the sun on the green trees with the dark clouds behind. It’s so dramatic. These are completely unretouched except for a little cropping and compression.

Sunrise

Oregon Airshow 2015

I didn’t go to the airshow this year. Actually I haven’t gone in many years, but I’m close enough to the airport that I can see some of the action from my street, and the Blue Angels (when they’re here) fly out over my neighborhood to make turns and line up for various maneuvers. So herewith: a few photos I got standing in the street. The heat was too much for me after 45 minutes of being out there,  even in the shade. I don’t know how anyone could sit out at the airfield in that heat. It was 95F in the shade at my house. It had to be over 100F at the show. All photos taken July 18, 2015.

#6

1, 2, 3, & 4

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5 & 6

Visitors

Another suspected feral cat. He takes off like a bolt of lightning if I open the door to try to get a picture, but if I just talk to him through the screen he keeps eating. He’s so pretty. No further sightings of Socks, the black and white one. And Pumpkin is confirmed male. Progress with Pumpkin: he actually let me touch the top of his head twice while he was eating, just a quick stroke with one finger, then I backed off.

And this guy was hanging out in the backyard all day Saturday. By all means, get comfortable.

And his girlfriend

Unidentified Driving Object

I just know everyone’s going to want one.

So… this thing whizzed past me on the road yesterday while I was waiting at the light. Pretty sure it’s not street-legal, but whatevs. Glad I was able to get a pic at all.

Unidentified Driving Object

Clearly a one-seater, here’s a wider shot to give a sense of scale. It appeared to have three wheels – one on either side in the front, and one in the back.

Yellow bullet going on down the road

I’m Meeeellllttttiinnnnggg

Going into our third straight week of temps in the upper 90s. This is crazy, this is Oregon. It shouldn’t be allowed. Wonder if the crazy old coot down the street feels silly about his “Stop Global Cooling” bumper sticker yet?

I think I gave myself heat exhaustion yesterday. Went out kind of midday, which I thought would have been ok, and mowed the yard, washed the car, and watered the veggie garden. Apparently it was already too hot because I felt really ill later. I brought water out with me, but forgot to stop and drink it often enough, I guess. Be careful out there.

In writing news, I’m making slow progress on the Revenants Abroad sequel, and also working on a couple other things. I probably shouldn’t split my focus, but when you get an idea you need to write it down. Or at least I do.

It is BALLOOOON!

Morning moon

asters

I can’t help thinking of this every time I see balloons up.

Revenants Abroad Paper Copies SOON!

I want to sincerely thank everyone who downloaded the ebook of Revenants Abroad over the holiday weekend! I hope you will enjoy it.

And the new proof copy of the paperback arrived today, and while the color is not quite as rich and bold as the electronic version for the ebook, it is lighter and you can see all the detail in the art, which is what I wanted. So… since all the pages seem to be present, and everything looks right, I will be approving the proof, and should have paper copies available on Amazon in the next few days! :::faints::: Honestly I was afraid to open the package when it arrived today. I think if it had looked the same as before I would have… well, I don’t know what I would have done. But it wouldn’t have been pretty.

The ebook is still available via KindleSelect, so if you have KindleUnlimited it’s still free for you. Otherwise it’s back to $2.99 now. The paper copy will be priced at $12.99. I couldn’t go much lower or I would have owed money to Amazon every time it sold. BUT… I’m thinking of doing some giveaways so stay tuned, or sign up for my newsletter. I won’t be sending that out ,more than about once every 3 months or so, so don’t worry about me flooding your inbox. Sign up here if you’d like to be included.

After the storm

Sunbeams

Fancy commute

Lazy circles in the sky

Long Weekend and a Freebie

I’m making Revenants Abroad free for the long holiday weekend on Amazon! If you’ve put off buying it, now’s your chance to get it. The free promotion is scheduled to run Friday, May 22-Monday, May 25. Amazon warns there may be a slight time delay as to when it begins or ends, but there should be enough of a window in there that’s not in question. I do hope you’ll take advantage of the offer, and get to know the gang. Of course, if you have kindleunlimited, you can read it any time.

I’m making slow progress, but still progress, on the sequel. Thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding. When you’re working a day job with a long commute it’s not always possible to crank out thousands of words a day. Believe me, no one is more frustrated about that than I am. I’ve got four days off this weekend for Memorial Day so I’ll be spending as much of that as possible writing. Joy! Truly, I am happiest when I’m writing.

Anyway, herewith a few pics from the last couple of days.

Water lily

Behind me

Leafed out

Poppies

P. sativum arvense

Golden wings

poppy patch

puffy clouds

wild rose

baby mallard

Golden duck

Mama and babies

Interested in Reviewing “Revenants Abroad”?

I should have posted this long ago, but wanted to say if you’re a book reviewer interested in reviewing Revenants Abroad please contact me for a complimentary copy in your choice of electronic formats. There’s no obligation. You can also check out the first 20% of the book at Smashwords (anyone can do this) to see if it piques your interest. Amazon doesn’t give you quite as much to preview, I don’t think. You can contact me through the “Contact” form (see above in the menu) or email me at fillingspaces (at) gmail (dot) com.

And some recent pics. I saw something on the way home a couple nights ago I’m dying to get a pic of as soon as I get the road to myself and don’t have to worry about some tailgater trying to kill me if I slow down for 2 seconds.

Also, I have a huge bouquet of lilacs on my desk this morning stinking up the place.