Drying Out

After days of rain, it looks like things are going to start drying out now. But nobody around here is complaining because we certainly needed it. As of now, Show Low is several inches above the average precipitation for this time of year. After several years of drought, we need a snowy winter to go along with it. The forest has been tinder dry forever, and the water levels in all of our lakes are very low.

Wait a minute. Did he say lakes in Arizona? Yes, we are in the White Mountains, and this isn’t the Arizona you probably think about. It looks more like Colorado, with the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world and beautiful lakes dotting the region. We even have a major ski area not far from us.

So, what have I been up to while it’s been raining so much? Writing every day. Obviously, I didn’t make my goal of finishing my new Tinder Street by the end of September, but it’s moving right along. Most days, I am getting in 2,500 to 3,500 words.

I printed out six more chapters for Terry, and she edited and proofed them yesterday. Today I will make her changes and then send them off to Judy and Roberta for them to go through. And as soon as I’m done with that, I’ll be writing another chapter or two.

It’s Thursday, so it’s time for a new Free Drawing. This week’s prize is a copy of A Game of Chess, the 23^rd title in Karen Harbert’s Murder at the Dog Show cozy mystery series. I featured Karen in this week’s Author Spotlight. A finalist in the 2025  Dog Writers Association of America competition in two categories, Karen considers it one of her best books.

When the much-loved relative of a friend is killed in a so-called hunting accident, his family members are suspicious. Especially since the guy who pulled the trigger is now trying to pressure the widow into selling their valuable property to him. Young forensic examiner Sabrina gets involved and has to convince a rural county attorney to reopen the investigation, over the objections of a small-town sheriff.

To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed. After 30 days, unclaimed prizes revert back to the drawing pool for a future contest.

***

Did you know that you can find all of my books and sign up for my free author’s newsletter on my website at www.nickrussellbooks.com?

And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.

Thought For The Day – Perhaps living your best life simply means pausing long enough to notice how good it already is.