Such is my fixation

I have begun to order plants--and planters--for next year. This gardening bug seems to be here to stay.

The plants are roses--three of the lovely, deep red Veterans Honor rose, a great favorite of my dad's. My stepmother sent me one of these roses last fall, but alas, it did not survive that wicked December weather. I tried hard to resurrect it, but it's not going to happen. Come fall (or spring, depending on the planting instructions), I will try again. I also ordered English roses in pink and yellow, along with several varieties bred to thrive in containers. I love English roses because they are so fat and thick--they look like my beloved peonies, only they bloom a lot longer.

I'm composting now and, as you know if you've been following this blog, learning to cook with some of the herbs I'm growing. I planted the tea and coffee seeds I mentioned yesterday--and will now eagerly anticipate the day they sprout! I was thrilled when my zinnia seeds popped up, and now they are actually blooming--they are not the same variety Dad used to grow, but they are very beautiful. I may still transplant them into the flower bed, now that they are strong enough to stand up to the sprinkler system.

Such is my fixation with gardening.

More tomorrow.

Seeds and Sprouts

I actually have a yellow crookneck squash almost ready to harvest, and my Swiss chard is growing before my very eyes. There will soon be tomatoes aplenty, along with zuchinni and eggplant and green peppers. I have a regular herb garden growing right on the deck--it's great fun to make tea or add dill to fresh fish and rosemary to chicken. (Now that I'm Not Smoking--okay, I can't resist boring you with updates once in a while--food is much more appealing. I'm trying my best to eat fresh, whole foods and to experiment more.)

I bought some tea and coffee seeds online--no, I'm not starting a plantation on my deck. :) I just thought it would be interesting to raise a coffee or tea plant--it's certainly different. The tea seeds are large, dark brown, and flat on one side. The instructions say to soak them in water for 24 hours and plant them with the flat side down. I have the pot ready and can hardly wait until late this afternoon, when I'll pass the 24 hour mark.

The coffee seeds look like pale coffee beans, and they also had to soak. According to the instructions, germination takes 6 to 8 weeks, but, hey, I can wait. :)

It's time to water the crops and get back to the book.

More tomorrow.

One Lazy Blogger

Today, I'm a lazy blogger.

Or maybe that's a tired blogger.

Or both. In any case, I slept in, I'm still in my p.j.'s, and I'm writing on my laptop. That's probably more information than you wanted or needed, right there.

I've been working all weekend, and at very odd hours, too. I think this book (The Texas McKettricks: Tate) may be the most challenging story I've ever written--and quite possibly, the best.

Don't worry--Independence Day did not go entirely uncelebrated around here. Mary Ann and Larry invited me down for a nice supper of cold chicken and all the good fixin's that go along with that. Our weather was beautiful, right through the Fourth--then along came the rain, cooling things down and blessing the dry ground. I faithfully water my patio garden, but the plants LOVE a good rain just the same.

And so do I.

Within reason.

Blog Challenged

Maybe it's the glorious weather. Maybe it's "Tate" and the rest of the Texas McKettricks. Maybe it's that I'm not you-know-whatting anymore. Yesterday I missed the blog entirely, and today I'm late, so there you have it. Blog-challenged. Not exactly breaking news, but you see, when I miss a post, my sister Sally gets concerned. She decides I'm in trouble and immediately begins mounting a rescue effort. :) So for her sake, and for any of you who might have so much free time that you engage in similar worries (smile here), I'm just fine.

This morning, I woke up at 4:30, which is usual for me, and took the dogs outside, brought them upstairs for their breakfast, and then sat at my table staring into space. The dogs always settle down on their cushy beds and go back to sleep once they've chowed down--and it looked like a fine idea to me. (The sleeping, not the chowing down.) So back upstairs I went to my own cushy bed and slept nearly four more hours. Luxury.

I'll be writing tonight, but that's okay. I'll be in good company--dogs and cats and McKettricks!

I'll be back on Monday. Enjoy your Independence Day and be safe.

The Bridegroom

Yesterday I received copies of my August book, "The Bridegroom", and once again, I was blown away by the great cover. (Harlequin's art department, and the fabulous Margie Miller, are the very best.) Margie was also responsible for the Creed covers, which I adore.

The same day I leave on my tour, July 24, this installment of the historical Stone Creek series (Gideon's story) will hit the stores. Even though I've had 80-plus books released over the course of my long career, the thrill is as big as ever.

In the meantime, though, things are poppin' down there in Blue River, Texas, where the new crew of McKettricks hang their hats. Who knows what Tate and Libby will be up to today. Just when I think I know what those two are about to do, off they go in a whole new direction. All my characters are unpredictable, but the McKettricks work harder at it than most. :)