It’s primary season in California. We have twenty-seven people running for governor. I need your vote, too, but I promise to keep this super simple! 😉
My upcoming GYPSY PRINCESS BRIDES series is set in Las Vegas and features four sisters of Romani descent. Their late father, Kingston “King” Parlier, named them after strong, beautiful, dynamic women—Princesses Alexandra, Katherine, Elizabeth and Grace (Kelly). Thanks to their Gypsy fortuneteller mother’s prophecies, they know they will marry a prince…of sorts. What Prince Charming these days doesn’t need a little work? (Okay, maybe Harry is a keeper just as he is, but he’s taken…or will be tomorrow.) 😉
First up is Grace’s story: PRINCE CHARMING UNDERCOVER. My amazing cover designer, Rogenna Brewer, outdid herself with three viable choices. I love them all and need help deciding which to pick. I have a contest that includes a $10 gift card prize to one winner happening on my newsletter that went out today.
Don’t get me wrong. May is a great month. It provides a lot to celebrate:
1. The birthday of my second born granddaughter. (Next Friday, she and I will be shopping, getting nails done and going to lunch. Photo op!!)
Turning 12, but already so smart, connected and involved.
2. My late mother’s birthday. She’s been gone almost ten years, but I still miss her.
Deb and Daisy back when big glasses were all the rage.
3. Mother’s Day – since my mom is gone, I celebrate the amazing women in my life who are currently busy raising great kids.
4. The release of the final book in the West Coast Happily-Ever-After series.
Click image for buying options. 😉
Yup, I love May. I’m just not ready for it to be the fifth month of a year that is zooming by too fast. Are you? Any suggestions on how to stay present and not fret about time passing by too fast?
As you may remember, we experienced a flood of major proportions this spring. Part of our recovery process is clearing and burning debris piles in preparation for the summer fire season.
Here’s pile #2:
While working on this burn pile, I heard my dog, Jessie, start barking. She’s a Blue Healer. She barks at anything that moves–especially cars that she doesn’t recognize, but I could tell from her location on the mowed path between me and my house she wasn’t barking at a car. In fact, only one thing upsets her more than a strange car–a snake.
Since I already had my McLeod wilderness fire tool in hand (blade and rake combo works great to eradicate thistles), I hurried to lend a hand.
Sure enough. Big, angry snake, tail rattling in that very distinct, chilling sound. Twelve buttons. Coiled, but with its focus on the dog, it was no match for the McLeod.
I chopped off its head and carried it back to the fire. When I shared this photo with my son and daughter (their children walk this path every day), my son texted back: “You are one badass country mom.”
I HATE killing snakes, and I’m sure the flood and fire has many critters confused about where they belong, but we can’t take any chances with small children around. We did make a video of the snake’s body moving in the grass for my three-year old granddaughter to see. “This is what a rattlesnake looks like. This is the sound the rattles on its tail make. If you see or hear one, run away as fast as you can.”
Hopefully this is the last one we see this summer…oh, wait, it’s only April…well, I think I’ll keep my McLeod handy, just in case.
Do you have dangerous creatures where you live? Have you ever had to kill one?
Deb
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PS: In case you don’t get my newsletter, my READ4LESS mailing just went out and I have a special Mother’s Day bargain book that hasn’t been on sale before. BLACK HILLS WHITE KNIGHT is just 99¢ until May 15.
