Lesson from Nature

It was too hot to stay in Seattle so Winston and I headed north to Shangri-Lar. This is our view upon arrival

and at sunset:

I know you are all sick of my cute Winston photos but bear with me. An important writing lesson has been derived from nature in the past day or so.

First, a flock of gulls tried to send me the message as they hopped a ride on a log floating past.


Then, Mr. Winston did his best to give me a clue.


Here's my interpretation of these images. Sometimes, you just gotta let it ride, let it rest. Whatever "it" is.

For me, of course, it's this rewrite. Thanks to those birds and my new buddy, I think the message is finally hitting home. If those gulls and Winston could talk, they would steal the words right out of St. Theresa's mouth (at least, I think it was St. Theresa; some good Catholic out there is sure to set me straight): "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all shall be well."

And it shall.

BEA went to the dogs

Thanks to the amazingly kind Laini Taylor DiBartolo, for this great photo from BEA.


The big poster, third from the left, is for Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle, due out from Little Brown in November. My good buddy, Mary Nethery, and I got to tell this heartwarming story of Major Brian Dennis and the stray Iraqi dog he ended up adopting.

Nubs is so adorable -- it's his fault I got Winston!

Speaking Spuds

This is the best book review ever of the Two Bobbies (along with a smashing review of my friend, Barbara Jean Hicks' The Secret Life of Walter Kitty):



Thank you, Ida and Spud!

My New Muse

As a matter of fact, I have turned into one of those people who thinks their dog is adorable. And quite possibly smarter than your dog.
Winston awaiting his next research assignment

I have a second floor office in our home and the weather has turned un-Seattle-like hot. The Cool Breeze fan takes the edge off but I will confess to drooping eyelids as I did reading/research yesterday.

Not Winston. He was taking on Rumble Rabbit, a gift from his Auntie Mary Nethery and her "mews" Dash.

Now, Rumble Rabbit is as big as Winston and may possibly outweigh him. Does that stop my fearless Fido? Need you even ask?
A blur of activity

The research and revising I'm wrestling with right now feels huge to me, as big as Rumble Rabbit is in comparison to Winston. Frankly, it's overwhelming.

But I noticed that Winston takes on that humongous hare without hesitation. He dives in and grabs whatever is handy -- a leg, an ear, the nose. I realized, like him, I don't have to tackle the entire rabbit at once.

One small part at a time. That's all I need to handle.

Woof!