Inspiration - A Squirrel

There is still time to sign up for a chance to win a copy of book three in my Rock Shop Mystery series, Stone Cold Blooded, on Goodreads! The drawing will be held November 6.

Today I am sharing a photo of an animal that inspired a scene in the second novel in my series, Stone Cold Case. 

The Abert's squirrel comes in a variety of colors, but all share long, tufted ears. I have seen them in the city of Colorado Springs. Last summer, we watched Abert's squirrels playing in the trees outside a friend's cabin in the mountains. I snapped a few photos of the camera shy animals.

In Stone Cold Case, Morgan Iverson and rock shop employee Delano Addison take auto mechanic Gerda to the prospector's dugout where Morgan discovered a body.

Gerda threw her arms in the air and jumped back a step.

“Ahh!”

An Abert’s squirrel popped out from behind the flowers, clutching something in its little paws. Morgan fumbled for her camera, but she was too late. The squirrel’s shimmering black fur and tufted ears disappeared up a Ponderosa pine.

“What did that rodent have?” Gerda knelt in front of the ring of stones and brushed her hands through the elephant head flowers.

“Maybe someone dropped a granola bar,” Morgan said. “There’s a wrapper over here.” She picked up the foil wrapper and stuffed it in her jacket pocket.

Gerda plucked something from the dirt, then stood. “This is not food”

---

Colorado holds plenty of inspiration for the observant writer. The black variety of the Abert's squirrel is one little gem I am happy to share.

Take a look around! Is there something exciting in your world that you've been taking for granted?

---