Nugget and Chism, the donkeys in the photo, live at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry in Colorado Springs. In my Rock Shop Mystery series, Houdini and Adelaide are the resident donkeys. Where these donkeys are white, my imaginary rock shop donkeys are gray. 

Nugget and Chism almost look like twins. Or clones. Which brings me to my blog topic. 

We call it multitasking: performing several duties at once. For most of us, that probably involves watching TV while eating dinner. Some multitasking is dangerous. Never drive a vehicle while texting on your phone! I am sure you have your own examples, which I would love to hear.

Perhaps my life lately isn't so much a case of multitasking as of over-scheduling. I am writing book three in my series, preparing to publicize book two (coming in September), and attending writing events like Mystery Writers of America meetings, and the Mountain of Authors PPLD event April 4.  

At times, I wish there were two of me. Or maybe three. One to go to the day job, one to concentrate on writing fiction, and one to spend time with family. Oh, and don't forget fishing, hiking, and gardening. Argh! Being pulled in several directions at once can wear you out. 

Some folks argue that multitasking is good for your brain, while others believe it fries your wiring. I do know that overloading your schedule can cause burn out. It's good to take a break now and then.

Until then, I'm happily keeping busy. As far as multitasking, I think I'll stick to walking and listening to audio books.

I'd like to hear your stories about multitasking!

- Western Museum of Mining and Industry: http://www.wmmi.org/
- Pikes Peak Library Mountain of Authors event: http://more.ppld.org:8080/mountainofauthors/about.html

Next week I will announce the Mountain of Authors event planned for April 4. Today I continue my photo tour of a recent trip to Utah. 

The next stop on our February weekend getaway was Mule Canyon Ruin. Unlike cliff dwellings, this Anasazi site was in the open, on a hilltop. Occupied a thousand years ago, the site includes a living area, ceremonial kiva, and a tower of unknown purpose.

As I mentioned last week, we didn't bring hiking gear because the weather was supposed to be bad. Always be prepared! Lacking proper gear, we had to pass up hiking in Natural Bridges National Monument. Instead, we walked to the viewpoints on top of the canyon. All of us, including my little long friend, agreed that the park was worth a return trip. You might have to hunt to find the bridges in these three photos. For more information, or to plan your own trip, see http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm

We meandered back to Moab by way of human and bovine dwellings carved into rock. When you live in an area devoid of large trees, you make do with the locally available building materials. Some homes in the far distance appeared to be traditional house fronts in front of the rocks. The photo here is of a more humble, and presumably abandoned, rock home. The cattle shelter is in active use. 

Our final stop of the day, before dinner at the Moab brew pub, was Looking Glass Rock. 

I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of Utah!

Before I begin loading my blog with writing news and events, I’d like to invite you on a virtual tour of Utah. 

This year, my husband and I are determined not to overbook our schedules. Life seems to fill up the rare empty spaces on the calendar despite our efforts.

In February we managed to escape for a long weekend in Utah with our adventurous friends. During a brief window between winter storms, we enjoyed a glorious day of sight-seeing. The best part, besides the unexpectedly mild weather, was that not many people go touring around the Western USA in wintertime. We practically had the parks to ourselves.

Our first stop was the seven hundred year old Butler Wash Ruins. A short hike took us back in time. We tried to imagine life in the hidden cliff communities. Even though their lives were brutally short and challenging, the Anasazi still found time to create beauty out of their surroundings. The pottery remains exhibit an appreciation for art as well as utility. The kiva, the ceremonial heart of the community, is a beautiful underground structure. And then there is the scenery itself.

Signs warned us to keep off the reservation property, so we stayed on the road, such as it was. When the dubious dirt road wound up the side of a hill, the GPS insisted it went over the top and connected to another road. I may have squealed when our friends seemed ready to tackle the washed-out road. They teased me mercilessly the rest of the trip. But they did turn around. 

Our next destination: Mule Canyon Ruin.