Dear Friends,
June is busting out all over and so are the roses, gardenias, hydrangeas, and some curious mushrooms. Those I would not trust to eat, but they sure are interesting looking.
I hope everyone had a nice Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend. Sadly there seems to be more people to keep in our prayers every month. It’s important to be thankful for the blessings in our lives even if it’s only having a day with no drama, which is also rare. Be positive!
We are almost halfway through 2025, and the summer solstice will be arriving shortly. It’s the longest day of the year so enjoy it!
Besides the solstice, we have several holidays this month starting with Flag Day on June 14th. Many people have risked their lives and continue to risk their lives so we can live in a free country. Let’s join together and show our patriotism for our country regardless of politics.
June 15th is Father’s Day so remember to honor your Dad. He will always be with you. If not in body, then in spirit.
Back to the summer solstice. On June 20th it will mark “official” beginning of summer, when the sun is at the highest point in the Northern Hemisphere. At the same time, it is the beginning of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s today’s astronomy lesson. Speaking of astronomy, there have been some incredible “lights” in the northern skies. They call it a Geostorm: a coronal mass ejection from the sun. Believe it or not it can cause outages and telecommunication disruptions from satellites. Sounds scary, but if you’re reading this, I think we’re okay!!!
On to my animal kingdom. I have a big wrap around porch in the front of my house, complete with rocking chairs, which has been the inspiration for several of my book covers. Gave my 6 rockers and 2 benches a fresh coat of paint and some kick-ass cushions that damn near blind you. Hung up 10 ferns (yes ferns!) on the beams and my wildlife came to call, 8 doves made nests with 6 sticks and a string, and they set up housekeeping. Two little brown wrens made nests in the other 2. I sit out there real quietly and say my prayers, until Fred, the woodpecker makes his presence known.
In the evening, Oliver the Owl is still trying to cajole Olivia into some kind of tet-a-tete, but she won’t have anything to do with him; and he’s keeping everyone awake with his longing. Typical male. Ignore them and they keep coming back!
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of The Wild Side is now available in mass market, and will be part of this month’s contest. I mentioned in previous letters that my publisher―along with most―will no longer be publishing paperbacks in that format. They will be switching to the trade trim size – a little bigger, and a few dollars more. Trust me, it wasn’t my idea.
Two winners will receive signed copies of The Wild Side, as well as a signed limited Advance Reader’s Copy of Smuggler’s Cove, a new novel that takes place in a coastal community. New characters, and a few quirky ones; pirate lore, and sunken treasure.
A few more things. June is cataract awareness month. Believe me, if your doctor tells you to have them removed, please listen and take action. Waiting too long can cause serious vision issues. It’s also National Adopt a Cat Month; and let’s not forget National Accordion Awareness Month. Polka anyone? LOL.
Thanks for visiting. Hope you come on by again soon. Be safe, be well, be kind.
Sincerely,
Fern