I keep thinking, I'll be glad when things return to normal and then find myself wondering exactly what "normal" is. It's been a long time since we've had that elusive thing!

I took a few more pictures around the neighborhood:

This is taken one street over from us, in an older section of the subdivision. There used to be a brick wall to the left of the log. It was cut off almost even with the street and at one point blocked the street.

This is two streets over from our house. Luckily this tree fell aways from the house. There's still a lot of debris around the neighborhood, though it is odd to see some streets with so much and then others, like ours, with relatively small piles. There was an element of randomness in the event.

I hear that the National Weather Service is going to study the way they rank storms. Ike clearly didn't completely fit a Cat 2 slot! I know Ike was more than powerful enough to assuage my author-based curiosity about hurricanes! From now, I'll stick to imagining and get the heck out of the way of them!

My contest on Author Island runs until the middle of October, so if you haven't entered yet, there's still time.

Other than that, not much news in my life! Hope all is well with all of you.
Perilously yours,
Pauline

I'm from Wyoming. It's a quiet state. Not a lot of people. Mostly small towns. "Don't call attention to yourself" is kind of a mantra. I know not everyone is quiet, but the noisy ones get LOOKS. It was easy for me to not call attention to myself until I started publishing. If you want people to read your books, you pretty much have to do something to let readers know they are there. So I struggle between my Wyoming/hermit tendencies and my need for acclaim. (grin)

Then The Romance Studio announced  they were having a Promo Diva contest, my first reaction was, no way. My two sides wrestled right up until registration day, but let know one say I can't do the hard stuff--even if it's fun! So, I signed up. To participate in this Idol-like competition as a reader, you register here. Free stuff IS involved, btw. There are three rounds and a bonus round to survive and most of the judging is "blind," in that they will remove identifiers from our stuff. But there will be rounds where websites and other web presence sites will be judged.

So, if you're in the mood, stop by and check out the contest. As I said, free stuff is involved. Win-win for you. (grin)

In other news, I have procrastinated the day of our taxes and now I'm up against the deadline. I look at how much we pay and hear the candidates talking about taking MORE and realize the hungry giant of government won't be happy until they get it ALL. Punks.

Our son and I had to apply for passports. Who knew it would take TWO days and OVER THREE HOURS? When we finally got to the desk, well, I still can't figure out why it took so long, other than rampant inefficiency. I couldn't help thinking, if they are this lousy with a simple passport, what could they do to health care?????

Okay, I'm giving myself nightmares. And still not getting the taxes done. Twelve days. I can do this. 

I can't stop without talking books, now can I? Since I'm writing, haven't been reading as much, though I do have several reads-in-progress scattered around the house. I used to read one book at time. Now I have books all over the place, so I can pick them up when I have a minute--no matter where I am. Of course, there is a point in any book, the tipping point, when I can't stop. I try not to reach that point just before bed. I either have to kill myself and finish or lay awake wondering how it ended. 

I am excited by the response to my Elizabeth Cadell contest. It's been fun to introduce (or remind) readers about this wonderful author. I'm hoping we can gin up enough interest to get publishers to reprint her books, so if you love her, too, spread the word. 

I'm also delighted by reader response to my Author Island contest. You all rock. :-)

Is it just me or does rerun season on TV arrive sooner and sooner each year? Before long, the season will end before it starts! With Stargate gone until July, the son and I have racked up some time watching Foyle's War (when are they going to release the last episodes over here?????) and playing Wii. 

Yes, I've been playing Wii--not well, but hanging in there. It makes the Son laugh, so it's worth the humiliation. :-)

Well, I've procrastinated long enough! Hope that your week is filled with good friends, great books and NO TAXES!!!
Perilously yours,
Pauline