Happy New Year

I just wanted to take the time to wish you all the best for 2023. We are heading into a brand new year and all things are possible. I spent part of the last day of 2022 going through what I had accomplished throughout the year. The list was good, it buoyed me up to read it.

Then I turned a page and tried to list all that I hope to accomplish and finish in the new year of 2023. That list was no longer, but contained a few things that had been on last year’s list but never got complete. I’m okay with that. I feel I gave it my best effort, so if a few things fell off the table, I’ll just give it another try this coming year.

We went with our daughter and two grandsons, aged 5 and 8, to see the light show at the world famous Butchart Gardens for New Year’s Eve. Here are a couple of photos from our visit.

Lights that look like butterfly wings in the dark
Trees captured by the lights.

What did you do for New Year’s Eve?

Cover reveal – Aqatain, the Prequel

Prequel to The Last War series

A stunning prequel to the popular Last War series from best-selling author Sylvie Grayson.

Second waited years to take his father’s place as Emperor. Now he’ll rule the territories his way, with an iron fist. He has a son with his mistress. A son with his wife. His own hareem, and his own army. He can do anything he wants.

Then he encounters Jenna, a counsellor’s daughter, and immediately falls into lust. Why can’t he have her, too? After all, he’s the Emperor. But General Romero Regiment spotted Jenna at the same time, and determines to pursue his interest. Jenna, however, has plans of her own. She meets Sergeant Ryall Norcross of the empire military and the two fall in love. With determination, Norcross sets out to make her his own. He soon finds himself in opposition to his own commanding officer, and the supreme ruler of the Empire.

Second has a bevy of counsellors to obey his orders and help manage the empire, none of whom dare to question his demands. So as he sets out to capture Jenna, what could possibly go wrong? Yet, when rebellion arises south of Headquarters, his rage knows no limits. As the insurgency gains support throughout the Empire, it swiftly heads out of control. Second has to set aside his pleasures and lead his military into war. Will he be able to save the Empire, or is it already too late?

COMING SOON

First Skiff of Snow

I can’t believe it but we’ve already had our first skiff of snow. It started yesterday, snowing, then raining (melting the snow), then sunny, and back again. We have the strangest weather that blows through. Then it snowed again, then stopped. Here is what I found this morning

The amazing thing is it didn’t melt overnight, because the ground is not frozen yet.

We have some micro-climates around us. Today it was pelting rain on the uphill side of the house. But when I looked out the window of the same room, toward the downhill side, it was sunny and clear. Rained like that for about an hour, but clear out the other window.

How do you explain that? I can’t. 🙂

Covid cancelled our trip!

Hubby and I were booked for a trip to Eastern Ontario and Quebec for a friend’s milestone birthday and a chance to visit two grandsons at university in Ottawa, our capital city. Two days before leaving, we both came down with Covid 19. With two vaccines and two boosters, we caught the latest version. I gather it is more contagious and moves fast.

We spent days (when we weren’t in bed, sleeping) cancelling hotel reservations, flights booked, car rentals, train tickets and visits with friends.

Thank heaven for the vaccinations. It could have been a lot worse, but it still knocked the stuffing out of us. Very sore throat, dizziness, nausea, congestion, relentless fatigue. I have great sympathy for anyone who has contracted it.

Meantime, we have recovered. Have a great fall.

Eagles chapter two

The eagles have been very busy. They have continued to increase the size of the nest until we could no longer tell if Mama was sitting on the eggs, if there were eggs. Here’s what it looks like now, nearly twice the size as it was in March when I last posted, cascading down the tree, hooked on 3 or 4 branches now.

My husband and I were standing on the driveway talking when an eagle flew low overhead and landed behind a high rock. Eagles don’t do that as a rule, they stick to the trees unless they’re after something. A minute later, it flew off with something in it’s claws, went to the nest briefly, then darted into the nearest tree. Here it is resting in the tree.

We climbed up to see what he was after, and found a large clump of moss torn up. He must have placed the moss in the nest as a cushion for the eggs. Does that mean the eggs are yet to be laid? We don’t know. Wish I had a mirror fixed in the tree that would show me what’s in the nest. 🙂

What do you think is going on? Drop me a comment.