Move on

Time to move the spider down on the blog list, don't you think? Although, I must say, it was traumatizing enough to keep up for a week. Haven't been posting much because I haven't felt like I have a lot to say. I've been pretty busy with other stuff--researching for another new book. This one is more contemporary. Thinking of taking a break from the American west and try something new. I'm doing a lot of research right now on my next, "can't know enough about" and that is Ireland. Since I was named after my parents heard "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" I think it's fitting. One day I would love to have the time to research my family history. My Grandpa Grady is where we end on the Grady side. I wonder, are we really Irish? Or are we simply wannabe Irish? Who knows? Either way, I'm still doing the research. Would love to learn Gaelic, too. We'll see.

Happy Friday to my friends Calista Fox and MacKenzie Mckade who are at RWA Nationals having a fabulous time, I'm sure. Wish I was there. Good luck to Carrie Weaver, RITA finalist who is also there!

The spider and the driving lesson

So I decided to give my 15 year old daughter her very first driving lesson. It was early Saturday morning and we went to the high school, where the parking lot was deserted. It was a great place to practice such feats as go, stop, turn right, turn left. My daughter was thrilled to be behind the wheel and making great progress in her parking lot navigations when suddenly she stood on the brakes and screamed. I'd glanced away from the road to watch her feet for a moment since she had a bad habit of using both and her scream made me look up in horror, expecting to see headlights, a semi bearing down on us, and of course, certain death. Instead I saw something worse.

The biggest spider I'd ever seen what racing across the windshield. On the outside, thank you God. The pictures above are from the internet and they do not do this beast justice. It was huge and it was fat and it was hairy. It had fangs and an attitude. For the next 10--count them 10--minutes the hairy beast ran crazed over the car, the roof, the doors, everywhere, defying gravity and wind velocity. I turned on the wipers, hopin to fling him off and guess what? He hopped on and held on and when the wipers were turned off, he merrily pranced away.

Finally, we could circle the parking lot no more, but we couldn't leave it either because my daughter is not yet street legal for driving and we were prisoner of the car. I jumped out, screaming of course, and searched for the spider. Where do you think he went? Clever devil crawled under the door's cracks and was racing inside as soon as the door opened. I am telling you, this was the cujo of spiders. I had a piece of paper in my hand and determined to save my daughter from being eaten alive, I flicked the spider off the door and onto the pavement. He hit the ground running and so did I. I slammed the door shut, screamed for daughter to move over and raced to the other side where I launched myself in and hit the gas.

You'll be happy to know we escaped, but we are both scarred for life now.

Long time between posts

It's been a busy week to say the least. I feel like I haven't come up for air, but the good news is I have pages to show for it. I'm thinking of posting the prologue and see if I get any feedback. I don't know. I'm always a little shy about my works in progress.

Erin Grady, who?

First Mondays after vacation should be banned. No matter how good the vacation is, the first Monday back will always make you think, was it worth it? Looking at my pictures, I suppose it was. But back to reality really sucks, you know?

On a lighter note, the writing is going great. I'm thinking of a new title--instead of Vanished, which everyone on earth seems to have named their book this year, I'm thinking of calling it The Beckoning. And funny thing, as soon as I changed the title, my mind opened up to a million new ideas. So far so good. Thoughts?

I have friends who go away for weekends and focus on their writing. I wish I had the time/budget/lifestyle to allow such a thing.

A very nice woman named Ruth came to my house today to get some autographed books for friends and family. She heard me speak at the Southeast Regional Library when my book ECHOES came out. She missed me when I spoke there for WHISPERS, but saw the article the Arizona Republic did on me and got in touch through Howard at the library. Made my day to think she'd gone through so much trouble. She especially liked my bookmarks and door hangers.

I'm tired, it's late and though I should be writing, I barely have the brain power to blog. Such is life. To bed with me.

On the road again

I'm the only one awake right now. Vacation time is ending. We've had a fun few days. San Diego Zoo on Saturday -- but it was HOT HOT HOT. Still, lots of fun, shopping and dinner with our good friends Tracy and Mark on Sunday. Monday we went to our old nieghborhood and saw our friends there. Tuesday we were with my husband's family in Chula Vista. And now it's Wednesday again adn we're going to be packing and heading home. Sigh. If only the work week went so fast... :-)