Time to spare

I saw something disturbing on Friday. It was one of those cannot now get it out of my head moments.

A car hit a squirrel.

The disturbing part was that they had enough time to avoid hitting the squirrel. I was watching from my spot, waiting to turn. And in my head, saying, “Slow down. Slow down. OMG.” I didn’t say anything out loud because my youngest was in the car. Had she seen it, she would have had nightmares.

I think either the squirrel had been hit before or more likely just got confused being on the road with cars coming. But in two more seconds, it would have been off the road. Two seconds. That was all it needed to escape.

The car never slowed. Never hit the brakes. It had enough time to. Had enough time to slow itself so the squirrel could get off the road. Had enough time to stop really because nothing was close enough behind it to be a danger. But the car didn’t. I don’t even think they looked back.

I can’t help wondering why. Squirrels aren’t my favorite animals. They empty my bird feeders. They chew on things like my trashcans. But I’d never go out of my way to hit one.

Was the person on the phone? Didn’t see the animal trying to cross? Simply not paying attention on a road they’ve driven hundreds of times? Were they in a hurry? Couldn’t slow down because they had to be somewhere?

I’m not sure which I’d like to believe. Inattention or not caring. I’d like to think the best but after what I saw, I can’t. One tap of the brakes and the squirrel would have made it across.

I’ll never know the reasons why the incident happened.

But I replay the moment when the car is coming and the squirrel is crossing in my head often. Still can’t believe it hit the little animal.

Maybe now I’m driving a little slower. Paying more attention to what’s around me. So I don’t take out any small animals and leave someone wondering about me.

RIP unknown squirrel.

May the muses have two seconds to spare
Mechele

PS I posted at Ladies of the Club on my brain vacation.

Monday blah blah

Amazon is definitely the talk of the 'net. Yes, at least three of my print books are affected. They are saying, "glitch." I wrote to Amazon and would encourage everyone to do the same thing. If it is policy, let them know how you feel about it.

I posted at Ladies of the Club, Glitch or not, it's troubling.

I'm working on the next Blood Lines. Characters are very loud. A good thing. I'm almost done with the first chapter. I think this one is going to be more thrilleresque, more like Blood Kiss and Conduit.

Has anyone read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card? I'm going to read it and am contemplating letting the oldest read it. I think in some ways, she's getting bored with "children's" books. I wish I could remember when I started on more adult books...

I'm reading Snow Blind by Lori G. Armstrong. I had been putting it off because I know it's the last Julie Collins novel *sniffle*. I'm loving it. Julie is much the same, yet she's grown through the novels, too. I can't wait for her new mystery series!

Did I mention who I'm sitting by at the Giant Book Fair at RT? Yes, Lori G. Armstrong. *squeee* LOL I'm wondering if I can somehow slide all four books in for her to sign.

May the muses have lunch
Mechele

Monday blah blah

I'm excited. I started a new story. I need to finish it quicky so that I can move onto the next project that has to be in by summer. I also fleshed out an idea on paper that I hope to get to later this year. So much writing. *G*.

I blogged at Ladies of the Club on Heroes.

May the muses have new stories
Mechele

Monday blah blah

The sound of a cat horking at 2 AM isn't pleasant. And the sound of a dog barking at the formerly horking diva kitty, who has slapped her one too many times, is very startling at 4 AM.

I need a nap.

I posted at Ladies of the Club on Friday the 13th.

I'm still not finished Settler's Mine: The Man. I hope to...this week. *sigh* Two to three scenes left.

I have something very pretty to share...very soon. You'll love it.

I'm getting very excited about RT in April. I got some good news I wasn't expecting. Will confirm it and share that, too.

May the muses have The End written
Mechele

Behind the Scenes blogs

All week long, I will be blogging at Behind the Scenes at Novelspot. It's about the path to writing, to publication and more.



Today's installment is the road to once upon a time.



May the muses have paths

Mechele



PS I also blogged at Ladies of the Club today about why I decorate at Christmas.

Mish Mash

LOL typed the title and said, "That sounds disgusting." But it's sort of a jumping subjects blog today.

I blogged at Ladies of the Club on the Hero's Journey.

My participation in the 2008 Holiday Book Celebration is live at Writers Vineyard! If you click my name on the calendar, you're taken to a feature on the Six Curses of Christmas. There are a lot of great features on other holiday books by other authors as well. Hey, I'm already getting into the spirit. *G*

I was so so so sad to hear about Michael Crichton passing away. I was a huge fan. Read a lot of his books. I'll never forget when a friend read Jurassic Park and said, "OMG you have to read this." He said it was a book that he didn't think he'd like. As I'm a dinosaur geek, of course I read it and loved it. I bought The Lost World in hardback LOL. So was very serious about that series. I also loved the first few seasons of ER, a show that Crichton created.

My sympthy and thoughts go out to his family. He's a talent that will be missed.

I have a lot of news *blinks*. I'm going to be sharing with my newsletter group soon, and then will be posting here. Stay tuned!

I'm participating in 70 Days of Sweat, which begins today!

May the muses have holidays
Mechele

Pretties and a new blog up

Aren't they gorgeous!?? Croco Designs, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. *G* I'm a happy girl. And The Sixth Cursed Halloween is coming... *insert scary music here*

I will write more on my weekend later. It was a busy one and an exciting one. I'm starting the new week tired *sigh* but inspired.

I did write about the conference I attended here at Ladies of the Club.

May the muses have wells to refill
Mechele

Monday Monday

I hate when the time changes. Bad enough my body is out of whack but I have to deal with critter and kids who just really don't understand this whole thing. 6:30 came waaaaaay too early.
The bridal shower went very well. The hubby took some pictures of the decorations when he showed to help clean up. I may have to post a few.

I blogged at Ladies of the Club today about heroes. Go weigh in.

The new story is going very well. *G*. I'm not sure on the name yet. It's a Blood Lines vampire story. And male/male with lots of funness. I decided I had two more and not one more Blood Lines tale to tell.





May the muses have heroes
Mechele