Trying to write…

While visions of my vacation are spinning in my brain. I leave Monday and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

Trying to focus on a large project is killing me. Three full length novels still waiting to be completed. That’s just the series books! I have three more books begging for completion. I also have edits for my October release sitting in my files, I have a holiday theme submission at the editor’s office (which I’m afraid it’s too late for a holiday story this year).

All I can see is the bright blue sky overhead and the red clay trails beneath my wheels, or the cold, clear water of the creek. The wildlife that inhabit the forest around my place. The serenity, the peace of being in the middle of nowhere, getting lost in the sounds of leaves being gently ruffled in the warm breeze. The sound of the water as it bubbles across the stones that fill the creek bed. The singing of the birds. The white cotton balls dotting the azure sky.

Who knows what treasures await us this year. Two years ago my best friend and her son stepped out onto the front porch, I was going to join them. They opened the door and the smell of wet garbage assaulted our noses. It was the distinct odor of wet bear. Fortunately Smoky remained hidden in the darkness.

Last year the deer were everywhere and they sighted two large black cats in the area. I’m not talking house kitties, if you know what I mean…We didn’t see any of those. I took the gang down to swim—my job is always snake/danger patrol. I stood on the edge of the creek while the boys stepped into the water.

Across the creek I spotted it. The brown-gray stick that moved against the current. I calmly told the boys to get out of the water. I was quite proud that they did so without question. As we stood watching a second snake joined the first and we did get a glimpse of the lovely white interior of a mouth.

Fortunately, these were brown. Now I have heard all the tales on cotton mouths but I have to say, from my experience, the black ones are EXTREMELY mean—as in chase you to bite you aggressive, while the gray-brown are pretty easy going. What’s the difference? Besides the color I mean? I have no idea.

After they swam off in their own little direction, I waited for a time and finally deemed it safe for the boys to go back in. R---iiiii-----g-----ht that so wasn’t going to happen. So I jumped in, dunked under several times, floated, all trying to entice them back in. It only took an hour…

Then there was the rattler, the green snake, the black racer. Not to mention the spiders, deer, frogs and skunks.

I’ve spoken to my dad and he said that last month they had a cattle stampede of sorts. He was down at my place helping me out by getting it all cleaned up and ready (I couldn’t get down there early enough) and while he was inside Trixie (a beautiful black lab with a dime size white patch on her chest and a bright blue husky eye) began going bonkers. She was barking, yipping, howling and whining.

He stepped outside to find her crouched on the ground, every silky black hair on her body standing on edge. The cows were going berserk, tearing through the barbwire fence and racing off in different directions.

A large bear was in the pasture. The pasture behind my place. Maybe this year we will see it rather than just smell it.

Also the wild boar are getting out of control. But my dad and grandpa are helping bring the population under control. A large boar killed granddad’s calf so he trapped it and for the last several months we’ve been supplementing our diets with wild boar roast.

My friend’s are not worried as they trust me to know what to do, plus they’ve insisted I carry a gun this year. Should I tell them I can’t hit the broad side of a barn? LOL

Okay, I’ve tormented you and myself long enough. I’ve got a few final items to clean and pack.

I won’t be back before I leave next week so, I hope you all have a great time and be prepared for me to put up pictures and do a week long diary of my vacation when I get back!

Hugz
Donica