This is just a good reminder. I'm currently dogless myself--but we won't talk about that. My grandson has a new puppy, and that's a much happier topic--although, since I've only spent a couple of hours with the newbie, I don't have much to report back on. Yes, it's another Frenchie and obviously he's adorable. And for my grandson, the timing was perfect, he was missing his last dog so much.
For me, it's still too soon. I'm still mourning my own pups AND my late grandpup, and haven't reached the stage where I'm open to another. Also, given the recent die-off among my cousins, I'm not sure how kind it would be to form a bond with a dog who might outlive me. Yes, I said it.
When my sister broke the news about our cousin, two of my four siblings were attending "celebrations of life" for someone else. That's a lot of death...which was not what this post was supposed to be about.
Anyway, puppies are cute and we should all try and be better people. lol!
This is another thrift store find. I couldn't resist the pool vibes. Does anything say summer more than a pool? I don't think so. My son just had a pool put in (no, this is not his pool) and we've all been enjoying it very much.
I grew up with a pool in my backyard, but in my adult life, pools have been hit or miss. We're just not stable people. But I love swimming (Pisces girl over here) and I look forward to making it more of a habit...one of these days.
It's actually funny, but I don't think I write a lot of pool scenes. I can't understand why. But here's a teeny excerpt from Sea Change, which at least mentions a pool in passing (literally). And hey, there's a cool pool on the cover!
It was late afternoon when they returned to the ship, still early enough that they had time for a pre-dinner cocktail on deck after they’d changed into their evening wear.
Cara sipped her virgin margarita and leaned on the rail, sighing sadly as she watched Avalon sink slowly into the sunset and out of sight. “I’d love to come back here, sometime,” she said wistfully.
Liam smiled at her. “Well, let’s plan to. Maybe this Summer we can sneak away for a long weekend.”
“Yeah,” she agreed softly. “Maybe.” That’s if they were still even speaking by then.
It was formal night and Liam looked heart-stoppingly handsome in his rented tux; at least that’s what Cara assumed the problem was, the reason why, every time she looked at him, she felt an aching wrench in her chest. When it was time to go in to dinner he held out his arm and she hesitated only briefly before she took it. For once, her body seemed willing to cooperate with her need to be close to him. Probably just trying to stay warm, she thought. The breeze up on deck wasn’t exactly cold, but it sliced right through the chiffon of her wrap and she was more grateful than usual for the warmth Liam offered.
Cara glanced longingly at the pool as they passed it. It had been so long since she’d been swimming, since she’d submerged herself in water and felt it flow over her, felt it caressing her skin. Maybe later, after dinner when everyone was busy elsewhere, she’d sneak back up...or no. She couldn’t do that, could she? She and Liam had other plans for after dinner. Plans that still caused a jittery, frightened sensation in the pit of her stomach and left her wondering how she’d manage to eat even a bite of dinner.
An Oberon Sequel Novella
https://books2read.com/Sea-Change-Oberon
In this sequel to the Oberon series (and yes, you'll probably want to read that first) Cara and Liam are still trying to find their footing on the sometimes rocky road to happily ever after...
When the going gets tough...the tough go cruising?
Love is supposed to overcome any obstacles—that’s what Cara always thought. But when love alone is not enough to help her overcome the trauma in her past, she knows it’s time to get creative.
Surely a change of scenery would help. A week at sea—new faces, new places, a fresh start with no expectations—how could that be anything but fun? At least that’s what her boyfriend Liam thinks when he books them on a romantic cruise vacation along the California coast.
Cara’s not so sure. She thinks the trip is likely to be a lot of things—memorable, life altering, a turning point. Fun isn’t one of them.
But, with so much at stake, and a New Year fast approaching, there’s only one thing the two of them can agree on: they’re both willing to try just about anything to make love last.
So, this is a mug I had made for my husband a verrrrry long time ago, when are kids were as pictured on the mug. It's faded considerably over the years. My daughter's skin was not yellow, her dress was pink, and my son was wearing a DARK green shirt.
Crazy right?
Oh, and also, the type in the picture below? Yeah, those were primary colors once upon a time.
Speaking of my son, he's a dad himself now, and his son is SUCH a mini-me that I'm not always sure whose photo I'm looking at.
So last week I posted about my love for enamel camp mugs--especially the blue speckled kind, so this week's mug should not be a surprise. I mean...other than the fact that it's actually ceramic and DOESN'T (usually) get too hot to handle.
This is (obviously) from Paso Robles, which is one of my favorite places that I've lived. It was like Oberon come to life--but with more wine. One of the houses we lived in there had been built for Frank and Jesse James' uncle. It backed onto an old growth forest, and was only three blocks from the downtown square. There was rumored to be a hidden tunnel in the basement, which we never did find. There were also FOUR fireplaces, two roof decks, a wraparound porch, a butler's pantry...GAH! I loved that house. Sadly, it was damaged in the earthquake that hit there twenty-something years ago and was rebuilt. Which is not the same at all.
I still miss that house.
