A whole new look

I've had the blog's new look up and running for about a week now. What prompted a make-over? Well...a couple of things.

The Sand-dragon eating its creator was a fitting symbol for a blog about writing. It fit in with the fantasy theme and often when writing it feels like the writing is trying to devour the writer. Lately, however, I find my writing moving away from the fantasy genre. To tell the truth, Loremaster, my 700 page novel, is about the only thing truly "fantasy" that I've written.

More and more, of late, my writing has moved toward stories more rooted in worlds we recognize very much as our own. It's true that I've put out some horror stories lately and I'm currently working on a science-fiction story with a real Twilight Zone feel to it but more and more I keep returning to my Patriot re-write and The Witch and Small Town Secrets, all stories placed in reality (more or less).

I also wanted a more personal touch to the blog. The Sand-dragon was not my picture. It was a photo from a competition held in Vancouver (I believe) and the picture spoke to me so I used it on the title bar of the blog. The tin-boat above is a photo taken by me during a vacation in Northern Ontario a few years back. I snapped this picture shortly after dawn while the mist was still dancing across the still waters of the lake.

The boat, incidental, was on loan to me from my brother-in-law. I've caught a lot of bass in that boat...

Speaking of a whole new look - on a personal level - after 42 years yours truly finally has an ass. It's barely noticeable to the casual observer, but to me it's positively magnificent. My wife attributes the bike riding and the elliptical machine at the gym. After a lifetime of having an ass you could use as a straight edge, I finally have a little curve at the base of my spine. And hard! Sweet Jesus - if you need to strike a match or crack a walnut - I'm your guy. (Well, not quite yet...)

Anyway - kids are heading to bed and want me to read a story so I guess I'd better get my brand new ass upstairs.

Playing Catch-up

In this post I'll try to do a little catch-up.

First of all - Baby Skunk Up-date... Last night I went out to check and one of the adventurous little fellas was walking the edge of the rail fence near the front of the house. Although he is about the cutest thing in the world, I don't want him around the house. Last night I tried to convince him that I am a large predator and that it is not safe for him and his siblings around here. I jumped up and down and loomed over the little guy, waving my hands and making noise.

Utterly fearless. He didn't even turn around and show me his tail. He arched his back and stood his ground. I wish I got a photo of that - fierce, yet adorable. I ended up tossing a wrapped newspaper in his general direction and that seems to have sent him on his way. We'll see.

BT Corner was dedicated last weekend. Here's a link to the picture in one of the local papers. It rained all day, but the ceremony was well attended.

Here's a picture of the signage:

Very pleased with the result. The rest of the park should be completed over the summer and into the fall. The great job done on the entry stands as the benchmark of quality that the rest of the park will need to meet.

Father's Day - always a hit - This year I received hand-made gifts from the kids - a portrait from the boy and a wallet from my daughter - entirely made from duct tape!

The purchased gift was Chef Gordon Ramsay's Cooking for Friends.

Finally - the end of school. Kids are done for the year and a long summer stretches before us. This year my summertime writing will be tempered by keeping an eye on two active adventurous kids. I have no idea how it will work out, but I know it'll be an experience.

Just because it stinks...

A few things have happened here - Father's Day - the end of school for the kids - the dedication of our heritage committee's little Corner, but all of that will wait.

Last night we had a few nocturnal visitors:

Here's a closer look:

Mama was no where in sight, so I hope they aren't orphaned but were merely expanding their horizons. As I approached they made little arched-back motions. None of them actually sprayed.

Earlier in the evening we had seen one of them lurking by our cedar hedge. He disappeared and we figured that was the end of it. Later - around 10:30pm - I was walking Willow and when we approached the house she dragged me to the side yard. Sure enough, a trio of the most adorable wild critters you could meet.

I haven't seen them around today, which is just as well. I hope they've found their mommy and they're gone for good.