October 1, 2008
My dear Readers and Friends:
Simply put a Mercury retrograde means that Murphy's Law kicks in. If something can go wrong it will. And so it was that on the last Friday of September I discovered water in the small part of our basement that is unfinished. But it had oozed through a wall that connected with my back office soaking the carpeting. Long story short we discovered - we think - the source of the leakage, and have now fixed it. The carpet was pulled up, elevated, and spent 72 hours beneath a huge fan while our dehumidifier roared removing water from the air. And I had almost finished fixing it all up on what is laughingly called my "vacation" time. LOL! Good riddence to September which otherwise was a lovely month here on the North Fork.
October is, of course, my favorite month of the year. On its first Sunday this year, the 5th to be precise, George and I will celebrate 45 years of wedded bliss. We're astounded to acknowledge how quickly time has past. It doesn't seem that way at all unless we look in the mirror. :) What ever happened to that beautiful thin girl with the 20 inch waist? Long gone, my dears, but not forgotten! And on the 12th of October granddaughter Cora will celebrate her 10th birthday. We gave her her birthday gift early. One of grandpa's beautiful saxephones so she might have her own instrument. She has been playing for 2 years now, and was picked for her school's "expert" band this year. And by month's end the trees will be close to peak. The entry to our little sub-division is lined in 100 year old maples that always go bright yellow. When Tom was a little boy he called them the golden arches. We might, however, be colorful a bit earlier this year as the dogwoods are already turned their dusky red. The old Farmer's Almanac says the northeast can expect a cold and snowy winter. NOOOOOOOOOO!
October will bring you all Book 3 in THE BORDER CHRONICLES. The story begins in the year 1461. It's heroine, Alix Givet, is the only child of Queen Margaret's physician. As our tale opens the queen, her husband, Henry VI, and their remaining retainers are fleeing north. The last of the Lancaster kings has been overthrown, and his enemies are on his heels. Dr. Givet is not well. Over the past 2 years he has endured the loss his wife, and he worries about what will happen to his daughter when he is gone. Sheltering with a loyal Northumbrian baron the queen sees an opportunity to gain a safe haven for her physician and Alix. But the marriage she arranges for her godchild goes awry, and with the death of both Alix's husband and father Alix is forced to flee to save herself from the letcherous advances of her father-in-law. And that is where Malcolm Scott, the dark and mysterious laird of Dunglais comes into the picture. But you don't want me to tell you any more. You'll want to go and get the book to read for yourselves. It goes on sale October 7th. There will be posted on this site the first week in October a book video by Circle of Seven Productions. It's very simple. Just a pretty teaser. Next year I hope to have a more complex video produced. But I want to know how you like it my first effort.
The end of October brings to a close my Celtic Year. I will celebrate at sunset on the 31st lighting up my fire to commemorate the passing of the old year, the coming of a new year, and to honor all those family and friends who have gone through the door we Celts call death into the next life. It has been a good year thanks to the Celestial Actuary, and I am grateful. I hope your year has been good too. On the home front all of us are well. Nicki, who will turn 21 on the 3rd of the month, continues to sing his sweet songs. Finnegan turns 9 on the 6th of the month. He is getting his winter coat. And Sylvester is making himself a little nest between George and me these autumn nights. There is nothing like a good bedcat who understand the concept of middle!
Remember to pray for peace, and for our brave military where ever they may be stationed. Until next month I remain your most faithful author,
