Updatery

I've been sick most of this week so I've stayed offline a lot. But I'm on the mend so hopefully I'll be back to my old self soon. I hate getting sick when the weather is nice--especially this time of year when the garden calls to me. (with apologies to those in the northern latitudes)

Goats: I went to see a man about some goats. If he still has them by next week I might just buy a couple. We are very excited. The man lives close by so I hope I can count on him to talk me through some things like hoof care and goat maladies.


Nothing to chew on. Curses, foiled again!
Puppy Report: Nana is growing in leaps and puppy-bounds. She got sick after her rabies shot and I was pretty worried, but she recovered the next day. We still have not given her roam of the property. When she gets her last booster for parvo and distemper then we'll introduce her to the bigger world outside the doggie run. (2 more weeks) 

I know some people might think I'm being overprotective, but after losing two puppies to those insidious diseases, no way am I taking any chances.

She looks a little sad in this picture because I put her on my desk and there was nothing for her to chew on. Ha! 

I can't complain. She is nowhere near as destructive as Iko, The Terminator

It must be Karma because Nana's favorite chew toy is...Iko.

***

Book Cover Diva is doing well. I'm really pleased with the jobs I've been getting. So far I've done covers for romance, historical, a cozy mystery, and paranormal. I've got a couple of horror covers coming up soon too. I love doing different kinds of covers! I just wish someone would contact me for a steampunk cover. I've had a few ideas rolling around that I'd like to try.

I wish I could update my gallery, but I have to wait until the authors release their books. I don't want to spoil their reveals.

***

Around the net:  
Angela Brown has a new novella out. Frailties of the Bond. Only 99 cents, guys!
In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life…


And my Canadian sister from another mother, Renee Miller is debuting with her novel: (in paper) In The Bones and in Kindle.
Welcome to Albertsville: Population 397…and falling.

*** 

What's on the itinerary this weekend? Is your weather improving? You know if you want to vacation in Texas, I'm sure I can find a hoe that will fit your hands. :grin:


Comments

Stacy McKitrick said…
Well, I WILL be vacationing in Texas this year, but it will be to watch my daughter compete in the United States Australian Football League championships (in October in Austin), so I'm sorry to say I won't be needing that hoe. :)

As for warm weather - I'm still waiting. There was snow on the ground this morning. Ugh!
LD Masterson said…
See, that's why I came down before garden season. YOUR garden season, we were supposed to have wind chills in the teens last night.

Is Nana holding her own against Iko in their wrestling matches now.

LD Masterson said…
Oops, forgot to say: feel better.
Mike Keyton said…
And my Canadian sister from another mother, I like that. And I hope you get better soon.

Ref gardening in Texas, it's still my ambition - unless come to Wales first where you can practise on Sheep.
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: I hope you enjoy Austin. October is a great time of year to visit too.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: LOL. Maybe next year. The trees are beginning to leaf out and flower. It won't be long before everything is full and lush.

Re: Nana
She's a little tornado! Every once in a while Iko reminds her he is much bigger and stronger, but for the most part he tolerates her abuse.

Tank and Maggie have never been happier to see Iko so occupied. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: But you don't have sheep--do you? Most likely I will be confined to stoning plums. Or you could teach me how to make plum wine.
Mike Keyton said…
Plum wine no prob. But better still I'll show you how to make Rice and Raisin wine - Sherry in the mouth - Saki down the throat. Hmm. Six bottles left. A glass or two now would be very nice. Restorative of course.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike:
Re: Restorative of course.

Of course! LOL.

Unknown said…
Maria, you sound like my wife with the talk of gardening. For her, gardening cures everything. This is her favorite time of year.
Cate Masters said…
I can't wait to get my hands back in the dirt. Still freezing here though. And snowing.
Nana is such a cutie. Glad she's better.
Hope you're back to health soon too!
Maria Zannini said…
Jim: When I'm in the garden I don't worry about anything. It truly does cure many ills.
Maria Zannini said…
Cate: It started with a sore throat which was bad enough, but then the infection spread to my ears and I lost my balance. Now there's a ride that's no fun at all.

Hang in there. Winter can't last forever.
Angela Brown said…
Nana does look a bit put off. But Iko couldn't fit up on that desk beside her lol!

Hey, what are you doing feeling bad missy? You are not allowed...oh wait, yes you can. But don't let it get too far or I shall be forced to drive up there and give you a what for and how to, as long as Iko is nowhere around to give me HIS what for and how to lol!!

Glad to hear Book Cover Diva is getting the play that is much deserved.

And *blush* thank you for the mention :-)
Such a cute puppy! I second your caution. Losing a puppy is one of the saddest things ever.

I'm off to AggieCon this weekend, my first ever SF/F con! Eeep! I should borrow a puppy and take it. That way, if I bomb, I can just hold the puppy up and the room will melt.
Jackie said…
Sinusitis or as we lifelong allergy sufferers call it "Spring Fever" has befallen our entire household and for some reason my sinus infection seems to be hanging on despite being on antibiotics for a week already.

Maria you are doing what is best for Nana and most if all what is best for your peace of mind, if we had lost two pups back to back like you would not have had the courage to even get another one that is a harsh fact and if being a little over protective works than I say that is all that matters!

Congrats on BCD taking off and keeping you "busier", feel better and we put in 10 tomato plants this past weekend to go with the snap beans, sweet peas, pickling cucumbers and yellow summer squash seeds planted previous weekend and the rain shower night before last has everything shooting up beautifully. Next project is to till the area to plant a stand of okra, probably my honey will get that this weekend as he and my Mom are recuperating from URI's also.
Jenny Schwartz said…
Goats! I love the idea of keeping goats, though I'm sure you're going to have lots of calamity stories if you do. They seem very determined animals!

Hope you're feeling better, Maria.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: You're welcome. :)

I should be back on my game next week--I hope.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: That's brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? Hold up a puppy and it automatically makes you approachable.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: You're a week ahead of me. I should've had the garden ready by now but first Greg got sick and then me.

And I totally goofed on putting the potatoes in on time. They should've been in on Valentine's Day.

Can't wait to hear more about your garden progress.
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: I have a funny feeling I will end up with a whole book of calamity stories before it's all done!

Goats are totally new for us so I am really going in blind. People have told me they're easy to raise but they will die every chance. That does not fill me with confidence. Oy!
Jackie said…
Maria we goofed worse every place in our area sold out potatoes to plant so we are skipping them this time, was really looking forward to eating fresh new potatoes out of the ground again too!
Maria Zannini said…
Have you tried the animal feed stores in your area? Or if you have an Atwoods, they should still have potatoes too. But it is getting close to empty.

If you want to risk it, you can try getting a few potatoes from an organic grower and start your seeds from that.
Jackie said…
The feed stores are actually our first source, they are the best place to buy the potatoes and onions as well around here.

We do not have at Atwoods and as for as an organic source none that we know of either. That is okay our small patch is going to way over produce enough that we will be going crazy just keeping up with harvesting once the beans, peas, pickles and squash ripen.
Jennifer Shirk said…
Nana is so cute!

Feel better!!

Glad to hear your side business is doing well! Can't wait to see the covers.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: You had a great garden last year. I'm crossing my fingers we'll both do well this year. I'm going to have a lot of mouths to feed.
Maria Zannini said…
Jennifer: I can't believe I'm still coughing. But I am better so no complaints. :)
Shelley Munro said…
I hope you're feeling better now, Maria. Nana is such a cutie!

Cover reveal coming soon :)
Dru said…
I'm glad you're feeling better.

Nana is a cutie.
Maria Zannini said…
@Shelley
@Nana

Oy. I was starting to feel better but I might be headed for a relapse. I'm trying to baby myself now before it gets worse.
James Garcia Jr said…
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, and I'm sorry I have been one of those meanie authors that have yet to release the wonderful cover you've done. It'll be very soon, my friend. I'm thinking you should get the first release. Let's talk soon about an interview or whatever it was we were planning on doing together...

-Jimmy
Anonymous said…
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Nana likes chewing on Iko?! That's just TOO cute.