So it took a few hours of dinking around, but I finally got myself settled in front of the computer yesterday and hammered out about ten pages of the Hollows novella I’m currently working on. Chapter one is in the “cabinet of awesomeness.”
Some of the procrastination was necessary. (sun/moon tables for Sacramento and Cincinnati, road maps, etc.) but most of it was me trying to pull myself off my front porch after a week of working out there. I knew it would happen. It wasn’t unexpected. Annoying would be the word I’d use. Today should be easier to focus.
I like my porch, and I recently found out that according to some pictures a neighbor (he’s in his 90s) shared with us, the corbels helping to support the roof (cute gingerbread ornamentation) are over a hundred years old. Dude. How cool is that? The local robins like it too, and I shared my week with Ms. Robin, here. She’s not on the nest as much as you might think in this hot weather we’ve been getting, and yesterday, I figured I could chance a picture without chasing her off for good. I had no idea what I’d find when I stood on tiptoe, aimed the camera down, and clicked the shutter. 🙂 Fortunately for the plant, her nest is built up high and I can water without ruining her nest.
Kim Harrison 
That cabinet sounds pretty tempting – can’t wait to see what you’ve stashed in it 🙂
Most of it’s already on the shelf, but I’ve got about an inch of new stuff that has the potential to fill a cabinet all on its own. sigh. Live is good. Busy, but good.
Your mama robin must have a touch of Martha Stewart in her. That nest is just gorgeous, and set in the middle of her own private, perfect, safe, flower garden. I had forgotten just how intense “robin’s egg blue” can be. Of course we’ll want updates on the birdies, and hey, how’s Mr Frog?
Isn’t it beautiful, JKH? I’ve not seen Mr. Frog in a long time. I think he’s over in the swamp, partying. 🙂
last year a family of Mockingbirds nested in our Pomegranates. 🙂 the soft little chirps were a beautiful ambient during the day, but a rather rude alarm clock come the dawn…..
Can I ask whose POV is the new Hollows novella about? I would love to spend time with Rachel’s mom. She’s an amazing character, and I’d really like to see her day-to-day with Donald.
Oooh, I love Mockingbirds! They are vigorous defenders of nests!
I’m probably going to have several new pieces in the upcoming anthology, one will be from Trent’s POV, and I’m really excited to get into his head and see what’s really going on.
Four eggs? She’s gonna be one busy momma when they hatch. All those peeps as they grow will be good background music during coffee breaks on the porch.
You said a mouthful, Jeannie! I think she has a week or so more of peace and quiet before they hatch.
Hi Ms Kim-It’s Jim from Warren. I’m glad you have spare time and stuff,you deserve it for all the good things you do for us,your readers.If things start to drag, just load up the pups and drive to Jeff Bezos’ office and tell him if he doesn’t put the Truth series on Kindle you will “turn loose (pause) the dogs”.You may have to practice saying this in a deep,threating voice. I’m sure he will put the trained chimpanzee to work right away,(That’s what it looks like from the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel on Kindle) If Alex and Zander can work up a few threatening growls and maybe flash some fangs(like Ivy’s mother could) he will be putty in your hands.
Oh Jim! You gave me a good giggle! Kim would probably have to get little leather vests for her pups, and teach them to “make an Elvis face” — I don’t think a Chihuahua can snarl, but they could yip until you had a headache….
Hi Jim. OMGosh, that is too funny! All it would need is a soundtrack.
The Truth series is on Kindle, all of the “Cook” books are.
V^^^^V
Omgosh!!! Those pictures are AWESOME!! That is so ridiculously cool! What kind of plant is that?? I LOVE those pictures!! p.s. if you haven’t been back in a while, you HAVE to check out the “eaglets” on ustream. They are hilarious as they jump & flap as they get ready to leave the nest. Ya know…in case you need a break. hahaha.
Judi
Hi Judi. It’s a Fuschia. I can keep three kinds of plants alive on my back porch, and this is one of them.
Wow, the eagles are getting huge!
Howdy ma’am,
I am back! My computer overheated Sunday night so it’s been in the shop a couple of days.
While I was in Ky., my sister had a Robin’s nest in the wreath on her front door. We could see them through the window on the door. I managed to get some pictures of them the day before they flew away. If they’re any good, I’ll post a link to them once I get them uploaded to Photo Bucket.
Your picture of the eggs is amazing.
V^^^^V
This is the wreath. The nest is on the upper left.
Not a great shot. I didn’t want to scare them off the nest.
Vampy, hon, I want to see that nest! Isn’t it a misery about ‘puters? My BiL just told me my laptop is rapidly becoming obsolete, and he shudders at my DSL. Like I can just drop $1500 on a new set up anytime…
Ouch! So sorry to hear about the computer, Vampy.
Okay, after looking at those shots, I can’t help but wonder if Momma Robin built it there so the kids could watch the people. Wow!
I was lucky. my repair was just about $30.00.
The nest was cool but it wasn’t ith out it’s drawbacks. My sister couldn’t use that door or her porch until they left and they left a huge mess for her to clean up. 🙂
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That is soo cool I wish I had a nice porch to sit on and write
My mom has pictures of me sitting in really weird places, reading. The best is on a float in the middle of a lake, I think.
A cabinet of awesomeness?
Swe-e-e-e-t.
I got a ‘junk drawer’ in the kitchen where I keep old service manuals, paper clips, rubber bands, matches, twist ties…nothing approaching awsomeness.
I’m guessing the next novella will feature Trent heavily? We haven’t had a story from his viewpoint yet. As a fan, I can think of a few things I’d love to see in a short story/novella:
A) Trent. Not my favorite, but he’s so important to the series that just for completists sake, I’d like to walk a mile in his expensive, Italian shoes and see the world through his eyes.
B) Ivy and Daryl. Daryl’s enemy, Sylvan, is still loose.
C) The werewolves. We haven’t seen them in a while.
D) Rynn Cormel and Trent Kalamack. Two national figures representing powerful groups. And–they now live in the same small city.
E) Vampires, Ivy, and Rachel. This is where the series took off, afterall.
Be good! 😎
Yes! My cabinet-of-awesomeness! It’s a bit full right now since it has not just notes from everything I’ve ever written, but any ms that isn’t on the shelf yet.
The next novella has Trent in it, yes. Though I’ve got ideas for Trent’s mom and dad, and then one from the demons POV. Mmmmm.
Soooooo cool!
Isn’t it, Kat?
How cute is that, she’s nesting in your Fuschias! I must say that she has a much sturdier nest than the poor mourning doves that like to nest in my yard. I swear I don’t know how the eggs stay in the nest at all because it is just some twigs they put down and don’t actually make a support structure for the eggs.
Sun and Moon tables for Sacramento? Now that I find interesting since that is where I happen to live. 🙂
I’ve only seen a mourning dove nest once, and I remember it being very sloppy. This nest is truly a work of art.
Thanks for sharing this amazing shot. Ms. Robin’s nest is so absolutely picture perfect. I spent a long time just looking at the detail in the building of it. I swear it looks like she went out and bought the thing at the Mall or something, it too perfect. AMAZING!
Isn’t it perfect, Patty?
I worked at a flower shop a few years ago and there was a robin who had built a nest on the large fake wreath hanging on the front door.It was kind of surprising with the foot traffic going in and out.
Wow, that is impressive, Jenny. I thought I was doing good just being able to sit out there with her on the nest, but right out in the middle of things is over the top!
Hi Kim:
What a great shot of the robbin! Is that Bleeding Hearts that the Robin is nested in? I love Bleeding Heats, the name is just a perfect description of them. Have a great week 🙂
Isn’t is beautiful? I was pleased with the results. It’s actually a Fuschia that she’s nesting in. You have a great week, too!
Nature is such a beautiful thing! What a blessing to find this life growing, though I must admit seems such a odd place for a nest!
Actually, Jessica, it’s not uncommon at all! I had to chase out a pair of sparrows the week before. I would have discouraged the robin, too, but she did this all in a weekend, and I never caught her doing it until she was done and sitting. And well . . . then it was too late. 😉
Okay, those pictures are just pure awesome. How cool is that?! Sorry, I grew up in the city (Vegas), and we never were a family for the outdoors much, so this is just amazing to me. Those eggs are gorgeous.
It’s always hard to shift gears at work, even if you love what you do. That’s one reason why I have so much respect for what you do. It takes an incredible amount of discipline, and you pull it off while making it seem easy. I can’t wait to see what comes out of the cabinet of awesomeness.
Thanks, Greg. Today is going to be a real eye-opener as I try to get into Trent’s head. It will be interesting, to say the least.