The Curse of the Crow

Is it that I follow the crow? Or does the curse of the crow following me?

At any rate, these birds seem to haunt me to wherever I move.

Credit: Alexis Moussine-Pouchkine / Flickr

The first time I became eerily aware of them was visiting the amazing Trinity-Serius Monastery in Zagorsk, just about 45 miles outside of Moscow, in the then USSR, (the limit we diplomatic folk were allowed to venture out—albeit with a chain-smoking tail trailing after us; it was during the time of the tenuous Cuba Crisis).

It was a blustery November day, and the place was deserted – except for bunches of old women, bundled in black shawls, sitting around like – well, crows, I thought. Then I saw them. Flocks of them, silently waiting for – what? Death? It was an eerie scene; the women and the crows eyeing us suspiciously.

Years went by and I had moved to the jewel of the Pacific, La Jolla, California. I loved to sit on my deck, palms rustling overhead in the sea breeze, the temperature just right, no bugs – wait! What was that shrill noise? Ah, crows! Bunches of them!

I remember one consoling thought on my last day before the movers came for Arkansas.

“At least, I’m leaving the crows behind.”

Wrong!

Crows are noisy. Crows are cantankerous. Crows are smart.

They remember your face.

And ... they know where you live….

I am not too fond of crows.

Maybe that’s why I never put them into any of my stories.

Now, there’s a thought.

Remember Me Thursday

Yes, I know it's Friday.

But this message is important enough not to be picky about this.

I admit, I plum missed it myself until I was reminded by a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (imagine!) of this important day for those of us who have not yet found a forever home.

Princess Rosy and Annie (aforementioned blog-buddies at http://www.bearhugsforever.com ) are a great source of amusement and wonder for me and I go there often to see how the other half lives (by 'other half' I mean these two funny, obviously spoiled, but apparently very well behaved dogs).

Anyway, these two entertaining canines let everyone know not to forget those waiting in shelters all over the country. We were also supposed to light a real candle, but my mummy said 'no.' (I guess, ever since I stuck my tail into the flame, those things are out around here.)

I guess, I'll be safe with a virtual candle though.

Please, before you buy,check out your shelter;

Your sweet buddy may be waiting for you.

A Courageous Exploration of Our World

Cool Creatures, Hot Planet -

Exploring the Seven Continents

by Marty Essen

This award-winning book is a heart-felt, humorous account of Marty and Deb Essen's exploration of our natural world. And when I say world, I mean every single continent.

Here is my Review:
(Five Stars - what else!)

A delightful, extremely well-written and laid-out romp through the continents. It is evident that the author loves and respects all creatures with maybe two exceptions: His house cat and Mildred - the traveler from hell. Maybe three, if you count George W. Bush.

I expected slithery, slimy, crawly things - and got them - but in a way that was not only educational but fun and actually page-turning. Marty Essen not only looked for venomous snakes (his passion) but imagined himself (in Never-Cry-Wolf-fashion) running with the caribou way up north in the Klondike.

To boot, his intrepid, water-loving wife was game for anything. Though I had some doubts when I read that "she ran into the cold river, wallowed in the mud until her backside was all black." Oh, wait! I must have been distracted. Luckily, I realized that Kate was the dog! There are some tender moments with Annie (also a dog), as well as Deb (that's the wife).

A wonderful reading experience. Don't let the high page-count scare you off. Traipsing through the thicket of seven continents does take time, and patience, and love for our planet; as well as courage.

Let's hope Marty and his intrepid wife Deb stayed at a safe distance for this photo op;

there's nothing quite so exciting as annoying a hippo (I've been told).

As you can see, Marty is no armchair adventurer.

He goes where the action is - and go he does;

from one continent to the next -- as so beautifully

told in this multi-award winning book.

Check out Marty's exciting blog:

http://marty-essen.com/

* * *

To sum it up, it was Marty’s love for our world that made his book one of my favorites.

Check it out on Amazon - it might become one of your favorites as well.
Cool-Creatures-Hot-Planet

* * *

Marty has a new book coming out.

Endangered Edens is already on pre-order at Amazon - Marty Essen - Author Page

You might also see the Cover Reveal and Description (with some great photographs)

on my other blog: http://devilwinds.blogspot.com/

Things that Keep you from Writing

The first, of course, is a handy excuse; anything will do.
The second could be "I'm hungry. I need to go to the store for ice cream."
The third, .... you get the point. We are writers.
Writers are inventive, especially when it comes to things that keep us from writing.

Not wanting to be 'banal,' I came up with a different one.
Going out on my deck, I idly looked at an old bird house; there was some leaf matter sticking out.

Hm, I wonder... I tapped a fingernail on the roof.

"Hey, lady, what'd you do that for! I was sleeping."

A few dried "cranberries-on-a-stick"

and a sliced juicy grape later,

we were friends.

I let the little Flying Squirrel go back to sleep.

Tomorrow, I'll try some almonds.

Tomorrow, I'll keep writing.