Books 'n Rocks 'n Stuff: It's Hot Hot Hot!

Books 'n Rocks 'n Stuff: It's Hot Hot Hot!: "No, I don't mean my book, although it has its share of pulse-pounding scenes. I mean the weather. Unbelievably hot for the end of September...."

Millenial Setting

Yesterday at sunset, this handsome fellow was spotted relaxing beside the chicken house. The setting was too perfect not to take a photo, and though quite dark, we managed to get a decent shot. (Note the hens have all gone inside to roost.)

New Short Story!

The Open House was successful with earrings, as usual, being the big seller. The event was out on a second floor balcony overlooking the pool and tall trees. A local Cambodian restaurant offered up delectable plates of salt and pepper shrimp, brown rice, fried tofu and barbecued chicken; and a local winery provided tastings of four of their fine wines.

Today I've added a complete short story to my Books page. You can read it here.

My first autumn show!

Today I've been getting ready for my first autumn arts and crafts show tomorrow at the gym where I teach. Had to pack the tote boxes with display items, table coverings and such, then sort through all my earrings and pendants to see what I'll bring. I discovered most of my sterling chains had tarnished some, so I had to clean them and repack into sealed plastic bags. This time I inserted strips of anti-tarnish paper. Let's hope it works.

Below is a shot of my art studio. Check out the crazy carpet!

Everything does not always run smoothly

Always back up your computer. Always! Double and triple-check your data. Why am I telling you this? Early last month I sold a second story (my favorite book of all) to Turquoise Morning Press. No problem. I had it stored on my computer, stored on my husband's computer, even stored on the external hard drive. But when I went to format it to TM house standards, I was shocked to see only five of the twenty-one files. All the others had evaporated...in all three places! Fortunately, I located a single hard copy and set about retyping that sucker (not an easy task when you hunt and peck). It could have had a sad ending, but all is well...now.

I'm now doing a final edit on book three, due out next August, also gearing up for the autumn arts and crafts shows in my area (I have one this week), and getting ready for house guests.

Our mild summer has slipped into autumn, and the liquidambars are beginning their gorgeous display of vivid reds. We live in an area of mostly evergreen trees--Pacific redwoods, live oaks, firs and madrones--so we planted Palo Alto liquidambars, a Copper Beech, several hawthorns and Japanese Maples to give a seasonal look. Let the display begin!

Yesterday I finished a gold-wrapped moonstone for a customer and today am wrapping a fat teardrop-shaped Laboradorite. Photos to follow...

Rearranged and expanded

Back again after a VERY long time. This time I'll be incorporating jewelry designs with writing, mental meanderings and whatever comes to mind.

Right now I'm excited on two fronts: the autumn arts and crafts shows are beginning and I've lots of new items to display and I recently sold a novel to Turquoise Morning Press! Late Harvest, a California wine country story comes out in November. You can read an excerpt and see a book trailer on my suzannebarrett.com page.