I'm leaving for Ireland
May 03, 2026 4:11 pm
I'm so excited.
I've packed and repacked and I'm glad I did. I was packign for a Georgia May, and Ireland right now has highs in the low 60°s. Umm, that is a totally different clothing set than Georgia with highs in the mid 80°s. I took out the hiking sandals and switched for boots and sneakers. Now I'm thinking I should grab a pair of gloves as the mornings are in the 40°s.
That being said the next two newsletters will be all pictures about Irleland, probably the wedding, and the cool things I'm seeing. But I wanted to show off all the landscaping I've been working on this year. It's finally done and honestly I'm rather proud at the work I did.That is two different sections, but I cleaned it all out, put down weed barrier, build the the containers for the loropetalum, planted the salvia, and spread all the shale. I'm rather happy with how it looks. Now to see if they are all still alive by the time I return from Ireland.
What haven't I packed? Ack!!!
Book Recommendations!
I don't have recommendations this week - I've been swamped, but I know the link was wrong for this story last week. So here it is again with the CORRECT link. Sorry! Check out NEXUS-9: The Icarus Protocol available here.
Weekly Micro Story
Stranger
I looked at the creature standing in the marsh and it looked back at me. My elegant animal pranced a bit in distaste a the thick air that hung over this area. I agreed. So flammable, and flames proved my thoughts as they licked around where we stood.
It raised arms and called out something in a harsh voice that held no resemblance to proper speech. Even the motions seemed jerky and labored as if from a being that barely knew how to stand. I shook my head and clicked at Palmo, wheeling away from yet another monster in this strange land. Nothing i wanted to deal with today. Palmo agreed, and sprang forward, eager for food and home.
~*~
The mud pulled me down and it was an effort to even lift my hand to wave at the person on the hill. My exhaustion made even that a struggle, and hope sparked in me that they would be able to help me get out, the foul fumes of the marsh making my head spin and chest ache with effort.
My voice cracked as I called out, the strange air making it hoarse and weird as I shouted out, something that even I wasn't sure was supposed to be a word. The figure just looked at me, as flames crackled, the fumes here sparking into brief wisps of fire. A moment later they spun riding away, disappearing into the strange sky.
I cried out, despair crushing me, but I refused to give up, instead still slogging forward as the marsh ate away at what I could comprehend.
~*~
So who is the human?
My up coming appearances - come see me!!!
Ireland - May 4- Jun 5th!
Dragoncon - Atlanta, GA Sept 3-7
Remember find me here:
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Tiktok - @meltoddufbooks and @BAP_badashbooks
