Xengar

Them: "Oh, you don't drink? Will it offend you if I do?"

Me: "I'm not the boss of you."

Squashed squirrel, flattened bullfrog, splattered snapping turtle.  Of the three, I only regret the turtle.  Snappers are cute.*

Floral report:  phlox, oxeye daisies, lupines, and iris blooming.  Locust trees are starting in on their prey-stunning perfume.  Day lilies and buttercups in gay profusion.  And again, as every year, I misdoubt the wisdom of the horse-farm pasture full of those buttercups.

Warmed up into the 60s F, wind light and variable, so I slathered on the sunscreen and biked upriver and down the other side.  Got passed by another bicyclist that vanished over the horizon in a distressingly short period of time, but he is probably forty years younger than me . . .

26.77 miles, 2:10:17

*For warped-writer-of-dark-fantasy values of "cute."  And from a respectful distance.

According to the internet, it rises at 0455.  I can't think of any reason why I had to witness it, on a Sunday morning.

Air temperature 54 F, dew point 43, wind north about 5 mph, scattered high thin clouds.  A bike ride may occur.

Writing may also occur.  Have slogged along to the end of Chapter XXIX, in which the legend of the Lorelei pops up.  Al doesn't like Rhine Maidens. 

I'm hearing from people who've found early copies of Casket of Souls, so I'm setting up the usual space for conversing, with the caveat that THERE WILL BE SPOILERS most likely, so if you haven't read the book, don't come in!

First red rugosa rose bloom full open in the sideyard.  Smells sweet.

Fog and drifting bits of ocean in the air this morning, air temperature 62 F and dew point 61, wind east at 5 mph.  Pair of mockingbirds across from the drug store, perched on a wire and giving that displeased "chup" call but not attacking anything.  Maybe they don't like damp feathers?

Still fishing for "reader reviews" of POWERS on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, folks.  Suppose they gave a book and nobody came?  Word of mouth (or screen) sells books, saves authors from panhandling on street corners.

Author Michele Fogal did a remarkable interview with me recently. She asked questions no one has before!

http://michelefogal.com/blog/author-interview-lynn-flewelling

With a very nice retrospective by my wonderful editor, Anne Groell. You readers owe her a lot!

http://sf-fantasy.suvudu.com/2012/05/50-page-fridays-lynn-flewelling.html

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

(Almost "Friday floral flourish" for the alliteration, but I spared you.)

First blue flag irises seen, blooming in a roadside ditch.  Lilacs and honeysuckle heavy enough to scent the road.  Also first day lilies and spirea bushes blooming.

No roadkill.  Guess all those vultures have been busy.

Still dank, but temperatures in the upper 50s F and not actually raining, so I got out on the bike.  More wind than I wanted.

15.31 miles, 1:12:20