A week ago we were about to lose my dear mother-in-law. Her therapy kitty, Babs, is also a grand old lady. We brought Babs and her kitty flat mate, Dibs, to live with them a couple of years ago. The cats brought them endless joy. Babs and the rest of us miss you Mom. #caturday

Finally diving into this one as I escape the 100 plus temps and sit by the river.

Amazing to watch this firefighting helicopter pump water from the river just meters from our house. Such impressive flying! #oregon #wildfires

Had to fly home early from our trip to Wales and London for a family emergency, but super thrilled to be upgraded to business class for the long flight to Oregon.

Mind boggling. Stone foundation of a 2-3000 year old round house, part of a village of these footings, on the western tip of Wales. #wales #anglesey #druids #archeology

Neolithic monument in Wales: Pentre ifan. Capstone weighs about 16 tons! Is balanced on just 3 points.😲Stones are same type as Stonehenge. #archeology #wales

Caerohilly Castle, Wales has a famous leaning tower too! First built in 1268. The largest castle in all of Wales! So cool inside! And of course the region is the origin of Caerohilly 🧀. #wales #medieval #cheese #castles

A little hard to see, but this is what my kitty does on hot days, lies on the porch right in front of the door and aims his belly for the sun. Happy #caturday !

Puzzle tree. The bark of the Ponderosa pine is a marvel--and, fun fact, it's a natural de-wormer for goats! When allowed, they'll nibble it (harmlessly) from the tree and prevent intestinal parasites. #nature #trees #Oregon #goats

This handsome fellow passed through our yard yesterday. I count eight points. We live on a busy highway, and I hope he's as smart as his age implies! Grants Pass, Oregon.

My first go at bonsai. Stage one of coaxing a box leaf honeysuckle, Lonicera pileata, into a small tree. From what I understand I leave it in this pot for at least a year to grow a good root ball, then trim it down and repot. So much to learn! #bonsai

Up close. The annual shedding of bark by a white leafed manzanita, Arctostaphylos viscida. #nature #trees #oregon Visitors often think there's something wrong with the trees. 💜🌳

Stunning, Very old manzanita. Such personality! I'm lucky to have a forest of this not far from home. Cathedral Hills trails, Grants Pass, Oregon. #trees #nature

Thanks for hunting down and destroying this dangerous roll of toilet paper Kitty cat. #caturday

Hiking a public trail near our house and noticed this metal lid that once served as a trail sign. The madrone tree has made it part of itself. So easy to miss. Don't forget to look up! #trees #Oregon

First print proof from Ingram.

I literally grew up with a skeleton in our closet. He's inside this trunk. He's real. A medical specimen. Now after 70 plus years, I'm trying to figure out what to do with him.

Happy #caturday !

This is why I like staying home. My backyard office by the river.

I had so much fun judging 🧀 last week in Minneapolis alongside the amazing and lovely Kyra James. 1600 cheeses, 40+ judges, & 2 days. #cheese #americancheesesociety #cheesemakers

Cat says, "This one's mine. You guys can double up." Happy #caturday

I'm a new fan of iris flowers🪻. All of these I found l growing on a different part of this property where they wouldn't bloom. Moved them here, stuck in some lavender plants, and I just love how it looks and smells in the spring. Honey bees are pretty happy 🐝

Working on a family tree for my book coming out in the fall.

Moving day! We are resettling into a 30-foot travel trailer, while we remodel one more house, hopefully our last! I do a door tiny spaces, though. This kitchen makes me happy! "Enforced low-clutter".

Inspecting the first proof of my new book. What you think kitty cat? Me, I'm still out on the ground wood/eggshell paper from Ingram Spark. #indieauthor #cosyhorror

Six years of sentiment turned to ash. In downsizing and not wanting to leave too much behind, I burned the stacks letters V and I wrote to each other while dating long distance in the days before email and easy phone calls! Hard to say goodbye to the proof 40+ years later.

I can't wait!🔥🔥🔥 **2 DAYS!**🔥🔥🔥 until this #FREE #LiveAuthorReading featuring #womenauthors and #nonbinaryauthors of #sciencefiction #fantasy and #horror #books. Pre-registration required. #SWSWQR tinyurl.com/m5n37k5n

How often do you update your author photo? I kind of want people to actually recognize the current me, whether I'm getting old or not. Plus, what if there's a new tattoo? :-)

Register here www.eventbrite.com/o/strong-wom... for a live, online event Friday April 3, 9AM Pacific time. I'll be reading from my upcoming eco-folk cozy horror novel, Assisted Living, AND giving away copies of my first novel, The Binding. Please join me and five other fantastic authors live! #SWSW

Another shot from the kitty knee hammock. Happy #caturday