I’m not quite sure what it is about this year – or me – but every time I mention a deadline I seem to be tempting fate too far, so I get something else thrown at my head to make all chances of meeting said deadline impossible.
Which is a roundabout way of attempting to excuse myself for missing all my self-imposed deadlines this year. I would say that from now on I will hit each and every one, but I’m making no promises – in case they turn around and devour me whole.
The good news is A Courtship of Dragons is finally out! You may have already noticed.
The other good news is that I’m working really hard on Storm Rising and hope that it won’t be long before it follows. I have a hard deadline set in my head, but I refuse to write it down for fear of aforementioned bitey things.
After that it really is time I returned to writing. Things have been so hectic around here this year that I basically haven’t written anything in more months than I care to imagine. Which would be frightening, except I have been just too busy to have managed anything. I’ve written copious reviews, but I don’t think they really count. I also cleaned out a fully packed attic, which is satisfying in many ways, but doesn’t write the stories for me.
Next up on my writing schedule is the long neglected Burning Sky (or is it Sands?), which is Dragonlands #4. I left some characters in a bad way there, so I really do need to go and take care of them. After that, I would love to try NaNo again this year, probably with Wingborn #5 (whose title is spoilery for those who haven’t read past book 1). Beyond that, a whole other series without dragons or miryhls in it keeps calling me with a siren song and I’d love to return and play with them. I also have Aekhs to work on and older books to tidy up for various reasons.
As always, lots to do, very little time to do it in. But in non-writing news I’ve been walking loads, have finally worked out a routine so I can yoga every day and I even have a new camera to play with. My dogs and I continue to get older, my cat remains cuddly and grumpy, family is awesome, and my good old British summer isn’t playing very fair right now (see the photo, that’s supposed to be July!). On the whole, though, I can’t complain.
But enough of me, how are you lovely people doing?
First up is Fernworthy, also known as Froggymead circle. This is a small circle, that might not be too impressive compared to some others, especially since it’s been surrounded by a forest plantation over the last century. And yet, I find it has its own charm. It was the first stone circle I went purposefully looking for on the moor, since it’s not too tricky to get to, so it’ll always remain something of a favourite. I like the way the stones get bigger on the south side. No one quite knows why. Then again, no one really knows why the Bronze Age stone circle builders did anything.
Like the flag irises in the pond.
Speaking of irises, this is one of my garden centre rescues. I have no idea what type it is, it was in the sale as a gorgeous pale blue bloom, so I snapped it up and every year I think it’s died and instead, out of nowhere, I’ll get this gorgeous fellow.
A bit like this evening primrose. I found it in Wells last year, when I met up with my sisters in search of where our great-grandparents are buried. (And to see my nieces and nephews.)
This is another mystery buy, some sort of daisy thing, but it’s a great big bush now that’s picked out its own little niche beside the buddleia. Every time the poor thing opens a flower it seems to get eaten, but it ploughs on regardless with bloom after bloom after bloom all through spring and summer. It first came out in April – which is a little late, as most things are this year – but it’s going stronger than ever right now.
It’s right at home alongside the buttercups. These ones in the main garden are doing considerably better than the ones in the wild garden, which are getting eaten by the mega slugs, who will eat everything they can, alas.
The ox-eye daisy has also just made a reappearance. I love how cheerful these flowers are. Big and brash and sunny – the bees and hoverflies seem to like them too. Haven’t seen any butterflies on them yet, but then butterflies are pretty scarce in the garden so far this summer.
Here’s another of my rescues. It was in the end of season sale and I felt sorry for it. Besides, not only do I like geraniums, but it’s an Orion something or other – I couldn’t leave it! This is another that I think has vanished when I go looking for it each spring, but it always bounces back in the summer to surprise me.
You can’t see them too well in that shot, so here’s some more down beside the River Dart. 
Becca Lusher 