New stuff

                                                             New book. I was one of the crowd yesterday at the launch party for Lone Star Sleuths--a big crowd, around 150 people, at the Alkek Library at Texas State University in San Marcos. Good Texas music, good food, and lots of people with books to sign. Lone Star Sleuths is an anthology of selections from the published work of mystery/crime writers, from Texas or writing about Texas. A piece of Rosemary Remembered is included, so China is now an "officially recognized" Texas sleuth. About 15 of the 30 authors were there. Good to see fellow writers Bill Crider and Mary Willis Walker, and many of the faculty from my former incarnation as a university administrator at TSU--called Southwest Texas, in my days there. The launch was held at the university because the anthology was hatched there (by editors Cunningham, Davis, and Newsom) and published by UT Press. Bill Crider and his wife took photos and posted a slide show on Flickr. If you couldn't come to the launch, you can see it here. Too bad, though: you missed the chippies and dippies.

Also new, at our house. A "roof-over" in blue steel panels, which meant that the roofers were tramping around overhead all day Thursday. We might have gone another few years without doing this, but last summer's torrential rains opened up a few seams, so it was a good idea to do it now. Of course, the last rain was in September, 2007, and it will probably never rain again. But just in case....

And best of all, a new uplink. I am now on satellite broadband. Yay! We've kept the dialup as a backup, but I can now load pics to this blog and surf around the Internet at a reasonable speed. One happy camper here. There are a few bugs to work out: can't get to my Google Desk Top Search via the satellite, have to go through the dialup. I'm learning, though, that there are some things that just never work exactly the way you want them to. You live with the work-around and stop whining. But if any of you have found a quick fix to this problem, please let me know.

Finished Wormwood (China Bayles #17) this week and will send it off to NY as soon as Bill has read it. Made several entries in the current journal project (An Extraordinary Year). Took Zach to the vet--his treatment for Cushings isn't going well, and we need to find an alternative. Fixed the fence and moved the cows and sheep to a new pasture. Pruned roses. Pruned more roses. Pruned still more roses.

And admired the daffodils.

Reading note: I would say that there exist a thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else . . . The farthest star and the mud at our feet are a family; and there is no decency or sense in honoring one thing, or a few things, and then closing the list. The pine tree, the leopard, the Platte River, and ourselves--we are at risk together, or we are on our way to a sustainable world together. We are each other's destiny.--Mary Oliver

Comments

[Sandy]

I see that I am behind on the Herb Series! That is good, more to look forward to.

We are due to get snow tonight. I would trade it for a look at your daffodils, for sure. Spring is still in the planning stages here.

[Jinni Turkelson]

Your daffodil is beautiful and makes me anxious for spring. I'm afraid we are several weeks away from even crocuses blooming. Have already broken the record set in 1900 for the snowiest Feb and more is coming before the month ends.The good news is they handle it well here in Michigan. The bad news is that only about half the people know how to drive in it.
Congrtas on your broadband. It will be worth the effort it takes to adapt. I'm even more impressed with all your blogging knowing it has been done on dial-up.

[Liz Dudley]

Plant a big kiss on Zach's nose and tell him it's from Liz in Pennsylvania.

[clarice]

Congratulations !!!! On the book and the dial up (you will never look back!!!) Blessings Clarice

[Leslie Shields]

I'd settle for grey and slushy. Here in CT. it is white and frozen and will be for a while. We just had our dose of spring with the Flower Show in Hartford so I have seen daffs and spring bloomers but only inside. I envy you your early spring and late fall,but not your summer heat. I so enjoy your postings.

[CarInUtah]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Texas Sleuths book. Today I am going to pre-order Nightshade on Amazon-- might as well order Sleuths as well!
I am in need of a big dose of Texas right now since everything here in Utah is grey and slushy.
You mention the lack of rain; I hate to think there won't be any wildflowers this spring!
Carolyn