St. John's wort, blooming on Midsummer's Eve. In medieval Europe, this plant (Hypericum perforatum) was thought to be magical. Burned in the Midsummer's Eve bonfires, it was supposed to chase away the devil as the year spiraled down into the darkness of winter. With its sunny blossom, it has long been reputed to lift the low-spirited and cheer the melancholy; contemporary research suggest that it's as effective as OTC anti-depressants for mild depression. Look closely at the photo, and you may see a cheerful, non-depressed green spider.
Homestead report. Tomatoes, and lots of them. I made tomato sauce for the freezer last week. But the bunnies got my sweet potatoes. Grrrr... The snakes would like to get The Girls' eggs, but I have a surprise for them. I captured (and released) three bull snakes last week. The biggest was close to six feet. I sprayed him with a streak of white paint: if he comes back, he'll be deported in the next county.
Book report. Doing revisions on The General's Women, working through the full draft for the second time. Once more ought to do it--aiming to be finished by the end of July. I've started research on another historical, but I'll probably write the next China Bayles mystery (Queen Anne's Lace) first.
Reading note. Writers write. They write anyway. You don't quit because nobody buys the books. You just do it anyway because it's your nature. You have stories to tell.--Philip R. Craig