Sheltie Gazette: In which I confess...
Sep 13, 2025 12:01 pm
Hello, ....
I did that thing. That social media thing that everyone hates.
I didn't mean to, and now you guys get the truth....green slime dog and all.
This summer, our family vacation theme was LAKES. This is not actually because I released a book about a lake (although I did), but because my husband is obsessed with sailing and wants the opportunity to obsessify our children. For our middle trip, we went to a lake near the Oregon coast, with its own dock jutting into the deep water.
Here's the truth and the whole truth. We were late, I was exhausted, and I was having a major pain flare from a chronic health condition. So my husband took the kids to visit the ocean, and I stayed in the house. It had a beautiful sunroom looking out over the beautiful lake, and for once I took some time to do nothing but sip tea and read a book. And then I posted a picture to Instagram.
I wasn't trying to do that annoying "look, my life is so picture perfect" thing. It belonged more to my philosophy of trying to notice the little moments and be thankful for what I have. Annmarie O'Riordan, a young Irish folk singer who has been inspiring my writing lately, sings "if we don't count our blessings, we're wasting our time." I was trying to notice my blessings and reset my mental space. I was grateful to have my kids together, and fondly believed that the weekend was going to improve.
(Dear reader.... she was wrong.)
My family came back. I pushed through (chronic pain gets boring) and started dinner. Teens wanted to go paddling, so I helped lug the kayak down to the dock. Malin came along, because Malin needs to put his fuzzy nose in everything. As we staggered down the dock, I noticed that now that the wind was settling down for the evening, the water was looking awfully green. My husband wondered if there was an algae bloom we hadn't heard about.
Meanwhile, Malin looks at the kayak. He looks at the water. He looks at my teen daughter paddling away.
And he jumped.
Whereupon:
- Malin discovered the water was much deeper than expected, and furthermore, it was excessively wet;
- and we discovered that yes, indeed, there was an algae bloom.
By which I mean that a little blond dog jumped off the dock, disappeared momentarily, and then a green slime monster reappeared in his place. It was dog-shaped and paddling desperately, but ...... this thing was nothing but green slime. No eyes, no mouth, no fur. Just green. All slime.
"It's toxic!" my husband was shouting. "This algae can kill a dog if it gets in his face!"
So I hauled the Slime Monster out of the lake and tucked him under my arm, trying to remember if I'd seen a hose anywhere. Nope. With my husband calling out dire warnings, I rushed inside, only to realize that the only bathroom was occupied by a showering teen.
Under ideal conditions, Shelties can fit in a kitchen sink to be bathed. This was far from ideal, but at this point, I would have stuck a Great Pyranees in the sink.
"Hurry!" my husband shouted. "He could die!"
"What is that green blob?" my children shouted.
Malin, for once in his life, said nothing.
I shot water from the sink sprayer, which promptly squirted all over the kitchen. The other dogs got underfoot. The pasta boiled over. I squirted Dawn like it was whipped cream on the world's most disgusting ice cream sundae. I sprayed more water.
Eventually, the green slime parted and a very miserable canine face emerged.
This is AFTER washing. Must apply more Dawn.
More soap. And yet more soap.
And that, my friends, was a much more accurate indication for how our vacation went. Malin did not die (whew), but there was green slime everywhere, a pond on the kitchen floor, and dinner burned. I didn't intend to leave a deceptively optimistic post on Instagram....I just never got around to adding another one.
But now.... I have revealed the truth about my elegant lifestyle, and you know just how soggy it really is.
The scene of the crime, earlier in the day.
Malin was not allowed on the docks ever again.
Yet more lakes...
Undaunted (or at least, having made non-refundable travel plans), we went on our third and longest lake trip at the end of August. We went all the way up to the far north of Idaho—and oh my gosh, I knew it was pretty up there, but we discovered new levels of pretty. My parents flew in from Alaska, and not every moment was fun and easy, but I certainly counted my blessings of everyone being together.
I am told that emails can have trouble delivering too many pictures, so pretty please follow me on Instagram, where I'm sharing lots of pictures and special moments from this trip. There will be beautiful vistas, and also dogs in kayaks. (Properly. No more jumping out!)
And the best thing about our Idaho trip? Zero green slime. None.
Speaking of appreciating our family...
....even when it's not easy, have you read the first three books in the Castle in Kilkenny series? Just like my life and yours, the Robinson family has mess and frustration and accidents. But in the end, love proves more powerful than real-world or fairy-tale danger.
"The Knight of the Terrible Valley and Aiden of Florida was a surprisingly deep read for a novella that I expected to "simply" be cozy. ... I spent the latter half of the story in tears, of both the saddened and healing kinds....I was touched in ways I didn't expect..." (Goodreads review)
Maura, Aiden, and all the rest are coming back to the page in a chaotic, animal-filled, fairy-tale adventure in another trilogy starting with Oona & the Swan.
There's a swan in the guest room, shaggy cows that no one knows what to do with, and a dog that changes everything..... but I promise, no green slime!!
Free Books & a Special Contest
Looking to try out a new fantasy author? I've been loving sampling novellas and short stories this summer — apparently I read 15 books in August, mostly new-to-me fantasy authors. Here's a chance to find some more:
....more in a romance mood?
The truth? I binged Sarah Adams while spending the weekend in bed at Green Slime Lake. This is a fun little giveaway and opportunity to get to know new-to-you romance authors. You can earn points by following authors on BookBub, checking out book fairs, and more. There's some Regency, fantasy, and holiday romance on there too! Yum!
As for what's on my writing desk...
I have some big announcements coming soon! Here's a hint... since I've gotten home, I am finalizing preparations for not one but THREE stories for three different sets of editors. Whew! As soon as I get done with that, I'll be finishing up my next Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tale...
.... Hahaha. Who am I kidding? I'm a mom and it's September. I'm juggling SAT's, non-existent aftercare, and ultra-tired kiddos. Wish me luck, and I'll have more stories for you soon! Meanwhile, please ›follow me on Insta.
