my favorite photographer

John Matsko took this photo of me last summer. A great day; we visited with two shepherds from Peru. We admired each others' dogs and took photos together. Some of the shepherds' dogs are incredible. Once, my German shepherds met a Great Pyranees (sp?) looking after a flock of sheep. No aggression between any of the dogs--on the contrary, a friendly meeting--but I think that big white dog told my two to keep away from the sheep, because that's what they did.

dance troupe

Bellydance catapulted me into mood stratospheres. We all danced with Ismail during Jam, trading him around. He was sociable, no ball python neuroses, and I thank him and girl dancer goddess friends. Next week, maybe Laka will have shed and will join us. She likes to dance, is also mobile, comfortable, social . . . Her photo above.

and performing circus

Wrote today on my next Harlequin Superromance Everlasting Love, very romantic and full of DOGS. The heroine dumps her fiance because he raises Norfolk Terriers and she has German Shepherd Dogs. Just kidding. It's because she's in love with the hero, of course, and has been since she first noticed boys.

I'm really happy with positive words about HOLDING THE BABY, my October Harlequin American.

Enough work. I'm learning to spin poi, using practice poi and some excellent ones with LEDs. Also, have a flowstaff and practice with that, combining these things with bellydance. Laka (spider ball python) is great dance partner, beautiful and teaching me how to move. Hadi's pretty shy these days, not keen to dance, would prefer to tie himself in a knot. More socialization necessary.

Ismail eats!

Yes! Two dead mice. He seemed to want privacy in which to eat them, which makes sense. When a snake is eating, he's quite vulnerable. I'm relieved that the hunger strike is over.

Got copies of HOLDING THE BABY. My family members are reading it and saying great things. I believe they're sincere, though I think they'd resist actually trashing my writing.

Ismail is shedding

This handsome guy is getting ready to shed and isn't sociable or hungry. Cornsnake Ahmed got shirty when I offered him a mouse, rattled his tail and struck defensively at the mouse. A clear, "No, thank you! Go away!"

back to the wild

Just returned from the Bay Area and the Romance Writers of America conference. Great parties with wonderful people I hadn't seen for years and am crazy about. Toured The Crucible with the father of my child and longed to stay and learn to spin poi and weld. Rode CalTrain and BART and had an excellent inspiration. A romance grabbed me and won't let go. I'm home and inspired.

Also reunited with Eldar Good Puppy, Gudrun Good Girl, and the other denizens of the Wild Kingdom. Sadly, Lucy, my Togo Starburst tarantula died while I was gone. I suspected it might happen. She was my only wild-caught spider, brought from Africa as an adult, age unknown. She'd been with me >5 years and was an unusually sweet member of the species. In all the time I had her, I never saw her in a threat display. It was sad to lose her.

Everybody else is great. Pastel ball python Ismail has been less voracious than usual this summer. He eats frozen thawed mice. I bought an extra-large size, older breeder mice, and he doesn't fancy them. Only the cornsnakes notice no difference--or don't let it stand in the way of eating.

Bellydance classes don't start for a couple of weeks, but I've seen my buds around, and it's great to be home. Tomorrow--running with Baby Gu (aka Gudrun). Eldar and I have been to the post office. Dogs need their nails clipped. Will happen tonight or tomorrow.