It’s late summer here in the New Mexico mountains, almost autumn, and the meadows are filled with the rich gold of sunflowers, accentuated by tall spires of mullein. We’ll be here another week or so, enjoying the warm days and crisp, cool nights–a big change from the uncomfortable heat and humidity back in Texas. The skies, too, are crystalline, and the stars at night are diamond pinpricks against an infinity of black. No haze, no light pollution. Just. Stars.
Bill and I spent a lovely Labor Day weekend with family in the Colorado Springs area: daughter Robin and husband Jeff (table ends), niece Abby and husband Tyler and their two girls. Robin and Jeff are master scuba instructors with over 800 dives to their credit; Abby and Tyler are career Air Force, both are pilots. Abby commands Wings of Blue, the Air Force parachute team. Awesome achievements, all!
On the writing desk: not much this week. I’m currently working on another novella trilogy, this one featuring crime reporter Jessica Nelson, who first appeared in Mourning Gloria. The triology will be published early next year in digital and (later) in print–audio too, likely.
But I’m mostly cleaning up a few little publishing chores this week. I want to move the recipes from the old websites to this new WordPress site–hoping to get that done in the next couple of days. Thanks to those of you who’ve suggested that I do a cookbook. Instead, I’ll try to get all the book recipes posted, so you can have them, free. Which will take a while, so please be patient.
On the reading list: I’ve been digging into true crime, one of my favorite genres. Currently reading The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, by Hallie Rubenhold. The book provides a panoramic view of a social world we don’t often glimpse: late 19th century lower-class London. Bill and I (as Robin Paige) explored a possible connection between the Ripper and the Royals in Death at Whitechapel, so I have several reasons to be interested in Rubenhold’s book. I’ll be reviewing it on BookScapes in a few weeks.
And speaking of the Robin Paige mysteries, we’ve just signed the contract for the first three books to be published as audiobooks. If they do well, the rest of the series (a dozen books in all) will appear in audio. Happy about that!
Time to get to work this morning, but first, something personal from me to you: I have greatly enjoyed all of your notes and comments as we’ve moved from the old websites to the new. Thank you for being a reader. Thank you for being in touch. I appreciate each one of you.
Reading note. Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.
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So nice of you to post the recipes for us! We had one mullein show up in our evergreen bushes a couple of years ago but it didn’t come back after the one time. Too bad as we were impressed by its size. We are in Michigan btw. Lovely pictures of family and plants, Glad you are enjoying your visit!
A beautiful picture. Enjoy all your books and have been reading them for a long time. Thanks for the blogs.
I heard Hallie Rubenhold speak about her book on a Queen Mary 2 cruise. She was very good and her presentation was very interesting.
I love the sunflowers too! Love to watch the birds go after the seeds. We have a chipmunk that gather’s them also. Love to read all your books. I want to read the Jack The Ripper book title, sounds interesting. My trl] list is huge!
I was so sad when your and Bills Robin Paige series ended. Wish there were more. I love the Ruby trilogy.
My TBR list is too long, but this one looks like it belongs there. Thanks for the tip!
Looks like you’re in a wonderful place! I’m stuck here in Dallas with the heat, but it’s a good time to read! I’m reading nonfiction right now, Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen. It’s not as much fun as a mystery, but it’s very interesting. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be one of those books that, after you’ve read it, you think that everyone else should read it, too.
Maybe I didn’t try hard enough, Andrea. We certainly had it at home in Illinois when I was a girl. I’ll give it another chance. 🙂
Here in South New Jersey, where the word “humid” was invented, the mullein grows tall and beautiful. I’m surprised that Texas is not favorable. I just finished the Chrystal Cave trilogy. Great reading although too short, lol. Keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading.
Beautiful flowers! I visited the hometown of a friend of mine, Questa N.M. During the summer we would go to Red River, Espanola,Taos and Angel Fire. What a great place to grow up. I believe there was also a Rio Grande State Park. I really need to get back for a visit. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for the posting and pictures!
Thanks, Susan. I’ll take a look!
The sunflowers are gorgeous! As to your interest in the Jack the Ripper cases, I think you should check out. “A Knife in the Fog” by Bradley Harper. It is fiction but with a lot of the actual facts and characters. The “detectives” are real people, including Arthur Conan Doyle. I think you would enjoy it.
It does grow tall here, Becky–reaches for the sky! I’ve tried to grow it in Texas, but it’s too humid.
Love the mullein, it grows much taller in New Mexico as compared to WA State.
Love the picture of the sunflowers. I always have sunflowers for our anniversary remembrances and this year will be 55 years of sunflowers. Thank you for sharing🌻
I have so enjoyed all your series of books, especially the Darling Dahlias! Kimberli
I love New Mexico can’t wait to go back!
Beautiful sunflowers and mullein. Love your descriptions of New Mexico. Never been there but on my wish list. Always wonderful to read about your “doin’s”
Watching and waiting to see what Hurricane Dorian brings us in Central NC. Praying for those on the coast. Heartbroken for the Bahamas!
Thanks for sharing the great mullein!
How wonderful to be in New Mexico Susan! (especially right now….Texas is HOT!) We are heading to Colorado in a couple of weeks, then going to Red River for a few nights before heading home. I love LOVE the west! I hope we get to see some fall color!
Enjoy your visit!