And Yet More Surprises!
Jul 10, 2025 2:07 pm
Hey there!
One of these emails I will be able to start with something other than 'more surprises'! The one this week was both exciting and immensely overwhelming. A couple Saturdays ago, my sons and I were walking out to move Lucy (our pregnant milk cow) and Mac (the baby from our last cow) to a new part of the pasture, when my son said 'hey, why is there a baby cow jumping through our fields?'
I looked up, and sure enough, there was a calf. Confused, I tried to figure out where it came from. We have neighbors a few houses down with cows, but I didn't know how their calf had escaped. That was until I noticed that Lucy was looking really skinny.
Oh my word.
I darted after the baby the moment I realized 'that's our calf'! Naturally, she ran. Through my neighbors barbed wire fence. Then the next neighbors, and the next one too. She continued down the road behind our house and I managed to pounce on her half a mile away from our property. I had to throw her over my shoulders and haul her back. Here's how that went.
So, long story short. Lucy was supposed to be due in January of next year. Pretty much the previous owner tried to AI her last year (artificial insemination) but was told by a vet that it didn't take. So he waited a few months, put her with a bull, and then sold her to us thinking she was just barely pregnant. But no, the AI took.
So this past couple of weeks has been dealing with frantically gathering all our milking supplies, going headlong into twice a day milking, and figuring out how to deal with a surprise of seven gallons of milk a day. We were supposed to go on a vacation eight hours out of town, but that was promptly cancelled and replaced by a staycation (which is turning out to be really fun).
Also, we're prepping for pigs....more on that next email. ;)
My Progress This Week
Since it's a new month, I took a brief step back to prepare for next month's short story just for this week. It's just about at 10,000 words which is right around where I want it to be. With a little finishing touches, it will be edit ready. That gives me a good three weeks to keep plugging along on Elf Blooded (pretty easy to pick up where I left off with how the story is panning out) while getting this short story ready for you. In this short story, I'm in the head of a slightly egotistic time magician trying to mentor a child to replace him. It's been both enlightening and hilarious. I can't wait to share it.
But I can't detract from the excitement of Orc Blooded now becoming available to all tiers of the Ream community! For just a few dollars a month you get to enjoy these quick, witty and adventurous short stories (all clean, of course) monthly. With a few more dollars you get early chapters of all my works in progress (there are currently multiple). Also, you get the benefit of knowing you are supporting me in my creative endeavors! (Thank you to those who already do support me!)
Here's a little blurb for Orc Blooded ;)
Born of two worlds, Garlan is caught between loyalty and blood. Half-orc, half-human, and heir to a ruthless orc king, he spends his days training tirelessly to prove himself worthy of the throne. Yet, beneath his strength and determination,
Garlan hides the pain of rejection, scorned by his own kind for the human blood running through his veins.
When a twisted lesson from his father turns tragic, Garlan is forced into an impossible choice. Now driven by grief and fury, he vows vengeance on those who robbed him of his destiny: the half-blooded rulers of an ancient prophecy. But in his quest for revenge, Garlan must confront the truth about himself—and the powerful legacy he carries within.
In a world that despises weakness, can Garlan embrace his dual heritage and forge a new path, or will his thirst for approval consume him?
Orc Blooded is a gripping short tale of identity, revenge, and redemption, where blood runs thicker than honor, and destiny is written by the blade.
Some books to check out!
warm regards,
Dan
