Ordinary Things

It's nice and cool in Spokane--fall is definitely in the air. It's time to put on a pot of bean soup, and I've even thought of lighting the fireplace. :) Like my mother, I am fond of a nice, crackling fire--one of the dozen-million things I love about this time of year.

Plans for today are pretty ordinary. I plan to finish Chapter 2 of "A McKettrick Christmas," get a haircut, and ride April around the property. Although I've been extremely lucky at the casino lately, I'm a little burned out on that. I want to enjoy the scenery.

I love my hairdresser, Lisa, but I am notorious for waiting too long to get a trim and a touch-up. I simply HATE sitting in that chair. Unless I'm headlong into a book, I'm no sitter. I have to be moving. In fact, my family and staff always have to remind me to sit down and eat, instead of standing at the kitchen counter or walking around gnawing on something. On the other hand, once my hair is back in control--I have a lot of it, and it has a mind of its own--I feel so much better.

Have a good weekend. I'll be back on Monday.

Dog beds and Hear All Creatures

My talented sister, Sally, and I are designing a line of specialty dog beds, with a western theme. We're picturing ourselves on QVC. :) (Hey, you've got to think big!) Once we're up and running with the project, you'll see the line on my website. I'll be making regular donations from the profits to the Humane Society of the United States and another favorite charity of mine, Habitat for Horses.

My friend, Karen Anderson, a lifelong animal communicator, has written a book called "Hear All Creatures". It will be published by New River Press and available in September. In the meantime, you can read an excerpt and preorder if you wish at http://www.karenanderson.net/
Karen, I assure you, is the real deal.

Well, I'm due in storyland, so I'll wrap this up. I promised a report. Going back and forth between "Christmas at Stone Creek" and "A McKettrick Christmas" is working just fine, since one is contemporary and one is historical. On a previous blog, I gave the title of the Silhouette Special Edition as "A Stone Creek Christmas", but the above is the right title.

Have a yen for more McKettricks and an O'Ballivan or two? You'll get both in "The McKettrick Way", coming in December from Silhouette, along with a cantankerous ghost, a charming child, and a couple of animals you'll automatically love.

PS

Since touting Wikipedia on this blog, I've had several credible emails warning me that the facts need to be cross-checked because anyone can post anything on this site. Therefore, while I still think it's a great resource, I have to advise caution.

The Legacy

My brother and I, as well as each of our two sisters, received a small legacy from my wonderful, hardworking father. We've all been deliberating on how to spend it in a way he would approve of--family vacation? Fancy sewing machines? (My sisters sew. I'll have to be put into Witness Protection if I even attempt to stitch a seam!) He worked so hard to put aside this money, and we all want something we can point to and say, "I have that because of Dad."

I decided on new, sturdy front doors for the main house, and a saddle. Do you know how difficult and time-consuming it is to buy two simple doors? I was fit to chew nails by the time I got through to the guy at Loew's. He was working very hard, bless his heart, and he was unfailingly pleasant, even though dealing with a half-mad, hungry woman who'd already written the first chapter of a new book that day and was in No Mood. It was as though we spoke different languages, but I ask you, how hard is it to work your way through, "This door, in this color", while standing next to the display model?

I don't expect to have nearly as much trouble with the saddle. :) But maybe I'm being naive. Saddle. Goes on the horse. Has to fit my backside and be comfortable for the other animal.

Anyway, I got to thinking about Dad's real legacy, which is much more than money. True grit. Persistence. A love of justice. Pride in being American, respect for the high price so many other people paid to allow us to make decisions (even annoying ones about doors) for ourselves and complain about the President to our heart's content. In my case, a devout love of horses in particular. (The love for dogs came from Mom, as did a quick wit, a passion for books and a good vocabulary.)

When the doors are installed, beautiful and weather-proof and planet-friendly, I will think of my dad each time I pass them, each time I turn the key in the lock, each time I go in or out. Yes, sir, my dad would like the idea of those doors, and as for the saddle, well, that goes without saying.

A cowboy, or cowgirl, places a very high value on good gear. It's second only to a good horse, and April surely is that.

Lots to Catch Up On

Well, I intended to write a blog yesterday, but I was goofing off over at the casino and never got around to it. :)

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful notes of condolence that have been coming in since the last newsletter went out. You continually touch my heart, and so many of you have similar stories of loss. I find enormous comfort in your kindness, and I am grateful to each and every one of you for taking the time to reach out.

I finally got to ride April! Wow, it was great, to be back on a horse again. The plan now is that one of my helpers will saddle her for me, every afternoon when I finish writing, and she and I will explore this wonderful, timbered place where we live. She had rough going at first, when it came to blending in with the outfit, but Skye, Coco, Banjo and Buck have finally accepted her. Were they ever jealous when she and I went by. She is the gentlest horse in the world, but has a mind of her own. She's so obedient that she doesn't need a bit, just a halter. But she didn't want to go where I wanted to go, so we're going to have to work out an arrangement.

Sadie had a wart removed, and it was benign, thank heaven. She's still a cone-head, though she got her bandages off today. When the sutures come out, the cone comes off.

Finally, I won big at the casino on Sunday evening. Hot dang, that was fun. Love those swirling lights and all the fuss. I won enough to buy another horse. Hmmmmmm....

Now, it's back to work. I hope you all had a marvelous weekend. I sure did.