Boy, can you tell that summer is quickly coming to an end.  The temperatures are still up there, but I have learned in the past that this can be something that changes at moment’s notice.  The first sign of fall coming, in this yard, is the leaves beginning to change colour.  Then, there are signs that the children are getting ready to return to school, which means that the sales for school supplies are on... note to self, check out the sales to see if they are selling bic pens... I only have a dozen left.  

Today, I finish off the HM Veggie soup that I began yesterday.  Yes, it would have been done already and in the freezer to munch/slurp up during the winter, but I forgot an item.  The frustrating part of that was that I was looking over the item I didn’t buy to do this with, because I didn’t think I needed it.  (eye roll here).  Anyway, this gets done today.  Then, looking out the kitchen window at an apple tree that is so loaded that the branches are bowing,  it looks like I have to do something about the goodies on that tree in a couple weeks... note to self, buy flour to make pie dough with.  I will put a few apple pies into the freezer, ready to cook, but I think I will spend more time making little apple whatevers, we never did put a name on them.   I will take pie dough, roll it out and cut it into larger squares – I will fill the squares with apple, sugar and cinnamon and bake them… they freeze well.  When I feel like a not too sweet treat, I go into the freezer, take a couple out and warm them in the microwave… yum.  It is a good thing others are standing in line for some of these apples as well, because there is WAY more than I need on my own.

Today I get the completed cover from Cora for Kings of the Empire.  I will load it and the book will go in for testing.  If it passes, I will order the first copy for proofing, if it passes, I will order MY group of books.  

I finished the reworking phase of Merika’s Story, and I am going to take a break to read a few books, until the end of the month.  I am hoping to get 4-5 books read.  I will then begin to write Lost Kingdoms of the Empire, as that one is coming in a lot stronger now.  I will follow that up with The Phoenixes Choice, and the first chapter of Teryka Rose, book 2 of the Daughters of the Valley Trilogy.  Again, over the winter, I want to get The Goddess finished.  (As well as The Siren Connection – part of the Tantalus Series).  That should put me into 2018/2019 writing schedule, which I have to make up yet.  (Giving groan).  I will dedicate next summer to relaxing and my Ottawa trip, where I will be one of the signing members of RTC Ottawa, August 3-5.  

What is happening to the anti-social bratz, you ask?  I seem to be in their bad mama box type graces.  They are ignoring me, unless I am in bed and yes, they are ticked that this is not happening nearly enough.  (Especially Tath)  They seem to think I do my best writing in there with them.  Point taken, but not happening cats.  So, they sit in my favourite chair and wait for me to move them… this when I have so many other things to do.  Lately, they have taken to chasing me as I move, to be underfoot more, and laying on the chair, while they watch me continue to do what I feel has to get done.  Yes, my to do list never ends.  Where does all this work come from? 

No matter, this has gone on long enough, and it is time to move on.  It is time to get the soup stuff ready to go into the pot, and something tells me I am going to need a larger pot, again.  Until next week, here is hoping that we can find an end to the job list, so I can write undisturbed... all together now... one, two, three…. yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk … yuk.