What it’s doing outside: Mostly it’s going to be a tad cooler in the Tries this week with mid-to low 70s, and one day dipping into the 60s the day after the day in the 80s. Also. more clouds. Clouds are nice, when they play hide and seek with the sun, not when they roll in and camp.

April is National Poetry Month, but we’re into May, now! And this month’s Quill & Parchment has a lovely review by Neil Leadbeater of my book Marking the Hours. Read the review here. See the information sheet for the book here.

Wildfire:

We had a bit of excitement, the other night (Wednesday). For several days, we’ve had winds, in the 25mph bracket. Some less, gusts more. On Wednesday, they thankfully went away, and it was just warm and pleasant, until noonish when a wildfire started not far from where I live. Read the newspaper article here.

Had the winds not died down, I’d hate to think what would have happened, because if they came from the west, Sammy and I could be living in my car about now. 😉

I tried to find a map of the area that showed the fire, but no such luck. Maybe people don’t read maps anymore? I dunno. Anyhow, it was kind of pretty, in a destructive sort of way. There were no buildings threatened, no humans lived in the area that burned, but it was home to wildlife. Deer, coyotes, birds, beaver, all sorts of interesting and deserving beings who did not deserve to have their home burned.

However, being the optimist I am, I do see one good thing about the fire — a lot of Russian olive trees are (hopefully) gone. They are an invasive species of tree, they are water hogs, and if you live in an area prone to draught, they should not only be outlawed, but destroyed. The olives are edible, but not much meat on the pith, and a lot of work for little sustenance.

While I admit they are pretty, at least before and after blooming, their flowers and pollen are a high allergen for people who suffer from hay fever. Of which I am one. Of whom I am one? Whatever!

Photos of the Week:

The fire, taken from just off my pack patio. 

And the next day from roughly the same spot. I zoomed in a tad more just to get the burned (brown) trees. 

And the next day’s flare-up.

Brag Time: My publisher (full disclosure here, she’s also become one of my bestest friends) called me the other night, very excited, and read me an email she’d received. Since I don’t have permission to publish the email, I’m not giving any names but basically it said, Would it be possible to purchase a signed copy of Lenora Rain-Lee Good’s Madame Dorion?   It is an amazing story and beautifully written. 

And, of course, it is possible; the book is ready to send as soon as I receive an address to which to send it. But isn’t that nice? Made my day, that’s for sure. Sounds like he’s already read it — and enjoyed it. 😉

Entertainment:

Netflix: My Octopus Teacher, a documentary by Netflix. A couple guys in my poetry group recommended it the other day, not knowing that I consider Octopus as some of my favorite people. In fact, one of my favorite short stories of all time is Evileye by Dean Ing, found in Firefight Y2K, a collection of short stories by Ing. If you can find a copy, read it, I think you’ll enjoy it. But, back to the movie, this is about a man, Craig Foster played by himself, who is going through a midlife crisis of sorts, and goes back to his childhood home by the sea where he swims daily in the kelp forest and becomes a friend of an octopus (played by herself) who in turn teaches him about life. A strong 5 out of 5 Stars!

Thanks Dan and Jim for the heads up on My Octopus Teacher!

Books: For reviews of finished books go to Rainy Day Reads

Started reading Brother Blood – Sister Death by Bill Ransom. I admit to being a tad trepidatious over this book as it’s about Vampires, and not the Barnabas Collins type. In other words, I think it might be a tad bit more horror than I’m comfortable with, but I’m reading it. In full disclosure, I know Bill Ransom, and he’s not only a very nice person, but a bodacious author, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his other books. Based on that, I’m willing to try this one. After all, I’ve read some of his books more than once!!

Still reading I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong. Still enjoying it except for the freaking end notes. Put the bibliography at the end. Put footnotes at the bottom of the page where they belong, unless it’s an electronic copy. Mine is not electronic! Better yet, make eReaders so they can handle footnotes at the bottom of the page. Calling Elon Musk, calling Elon Musk….

Still blown away by Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Will read that one at least one more time, and fairly soon.

Education:

See My Octopus Teacher above 😉

Quote of the Week:  

“When our name is spoken for the last time, that is when we truly die.”—Kris McGinnis

Auntie Lenora and Sammy the Brave Dog wish you a fantastic week and look forward to meeting with you again next week. Same bat time, same bat channel.