Don't ignore this warning detail & Will my fruit trees freeze?

Apr 03, 2026 9:46 pm

Hi friends,

We just got a severe freeze warning for this week, and of course, all of our fruit trees decided this was the perfect time to bud.

The peach, cherry, nectarine and pluot have finished with blosom and just this week, the pear and apple ones appeared. Am I going to lose all the fruit this year?

Temps are predicted in the 20s F, so I'm grabbing sheets and buckets of warm water to stick near the trunks. I hope my DIY efforts will be enough.

I'm new to this, so if you have any tips, send them my way!

In writing news, Triumphant Dawn, the finale to Shieldwall Academy goes live on May 8th! Just one month away.

And I've got a great self-defense tip for you today that one of my readers, Mark, suggested as an extra after my last tip about how fast an attacker can cross the distance between them and you.

But first, if you enjoy these newsletters, please take a moment to click on and check out a few of the books below. Your support keeps this newsletter coming!

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Self Defense Tip 41: Watch their Hands

Here’s a simple rule that’s easy to remember: If you can’t see someone's hands, you don’t know their intent.

Many of us look at faces and expressions when we're trying to get a read on someone. But in a dangerous situation, hands can give you an early warning that someone is preparing to attack.

A person can smile, talk calmly, and still be hiding something in their hands or preparing to grab.

So, try practicing this for a week or two and see if you can make it a habit.

When someone approaches you, glance at their hands first.

• Can you see both hands?

• Are they empty?

• Are they staying visible?

If you can’t clearly see both hands, don’t ignore it. Instead, keep your guard up and create more distance. Take a step back or move so there is something between you and them.

If needed, you can even ask, "Can you keep your hands where I can see them?”

It might feel a little awkward, but it often works.

Someone with good intentions might be a bit confused, but is usually happy to pull a hand out of a pocket. Someone who does mind just gave you useful information.

It's just a small detail that can give you just enough warning to avoid danger. There's a reason professional law enforcement officers keep an eye on people's hands.

Sure, people will obviously have hands in pockets more when it's freezing like we'll be this week, but it should still help.