Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

First a quick note that I am participating in a Goodreads Giveaway, where publishers and authors offer drawings for free books. My Giveaway runs through August 16 for book two in my Rock Shop Mystery series, Stone Cold Case. 

You may have to be a member of this free reader service to participate. This link should take you to the Giveaway: 

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/147670-stone-cold-case---a-rock-shop-mystery

I confess I haven't gotten as much writing done this summer as I had intended. The call of the outdoors is too strong. One can only do so much writing on the deck before a garden plot in need of weeding or harvesting lures one away. 

We have also been making progress civilizing our mountain property by installing electricity, and soon a well. 
We won't do much to change the land. The point of having a place in the mountains is to enjoy the rugged beauty, and the peace of the great open spaces. No plans for a lawn, or leveling the rolling hills. Electricity and a flush toilet are, however, must have items. 

We have seen deer many times on our mountain acres. A recent weekend we saw antelope for the first time. Later, we had to wait for a herd of cattle to cross the dirt road.

This has been a rare summer of plentiful rain. The mountains are covered with flowers. Ranchers are cutting hay multiple times from fields unusually lush. Dormant ponds are full and seasonal streams are overflowing. 

I want to be careful to tuck these memories away. This is Colorado, after all. We are certain to fall back into a cycle of drought soon enough. 

And as a postscript to a previous blog, the professional electrician installed the proper boxes and connections on the pole that almost did in my husband.

---