It’s 6:55 PM on Wednesday. I just finished my 10,000 steps here in Cannon Beach.
It is so fortunate that we didn’t bring puppies along. The courtyard at the Inn at Cannon Beach is FULL of bunnies—white ones, black ones, tan ones, black and tan ones. Some are big, some are medium, and some are tiny. There is no Dachshund in the universe, Academy-trained or not, that wouldn’t bolt to the end of his/her leash to take down a bunny. From what I’ve seen, Bella and Jojo are WAY faster than ANY of the Cannon Beach bunnies. I can only imagine the tumult that would ensue if one of them caught one of those itty-bitty things and brought it back in triumph having broken that little bunny’s neck with one of their powerful, hunting dog shakes. Any little kids out running around outside would be traumatized for life.
As we were preparing to come to Oregon, the weather channel said that Sunday would be the only nice day and that rain would be here by Tuesday. Fortunately the weather man was dead wrong. It was windy and cold on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but it didn’t rain. It was sifting sands windy and cold, but it didn’t rain.
We’re from the Pacific Northwest. We layered. The people from California wore bikinis. As far as I’m concerned, they’re nuts.
Tonight as we were leaving the beach, the fog was rolling in, and at five o’clock in the afternoon, the seagulls were finding places to bed down in the sand. This evening while I was walking the bunnies were cozying up as well, and so were the birds. In other words, the predicted storm is coming a few days late. We’ll probably drive home tomorrow in drenching rain, and I’m hoping at least a little of that moisture will make it to eastern Washington and help douse some of those terrible, record-setting forest fires.
Walking my laps tonight, I noticed that here on the Oregon Coast, the hydrangeas are still in full bloom—deep lavenders, purples, blues, and whites—unlike our faded, ghostly hydrangeas back home in Bellevue. And I found myself suffering a case of fuchsia envy. As near as I can tell, fuchsia bushes don’t thrive back home where we live.
Vacation has been fun. But it’s time to pack up, go home, and go to work.
It sounds like you had a nice, peaceful time. It’s great there were so many rabbits there. I have one that seems to have escaped the hawks here. There used to be more wildlife, but it’s gone.
Hydrangea ‘Preziosa’ blossoms start out pale pink and by this time of year have good color with burgundy/magenta at the edges of petals and bronzy red foliage. (See at Bellevue Botanical Garden in the Yao Garden.)
Also at the Bellevue Botanical Garden are over 100 hardy fuchsias and if you go to this page and just enter “fuchsia” it will give you a list, photo, name and location in the garden of each plant (plus more information on each).
http://bbgcollection.bellevuewa.gov/Search_Menu.aspx
And as a last comment — With great pleasure, I just finished reading and/or re-reading every single book you’ve written, mostly in audio format. It’s fun having all the stories and the characters and their worlds fresh and alive in my brain. I’m looking forward to expanding those worlds. Diane
Glad you had a good stay at the ocean. Hope your furkids will be successful with their training; I know they’ll be overjoyed to have you back.
We’ve had a hardy fuschia planted next to the front door of my dad’s house, in a full-sun hot spot in sandy soil, practically unamended, irregularly watered, that has thrived for years now. The local hummingbird (there must be more than one) loves it. Not sure why; maybe it’s the hummers’ love…
Fushia bushes do grow here. I have clients in Snohomish, Marysville and Stanwood who have them.
And you ate sooooo right about the Dixies. I have 6 of the little devils. No way would they EVER avoid going after a bunny.
I just found out that you will be in Prescott Valley on September 19 and am very excited to see you in person.
Drive through the older parts of Centralia and Chehalis – you’ll see fuschia bushes growing all over. 🙂
I enjoyed meeting you in Cannon Beach which has made my niece jealous as she is also a fan of your books. I did not get the opportunity to Thank You for allowing me the enjoyment your books give me.
I was a little upset with the proof reading of Dance of the Bones however, as one boo-boo is ok. This one had two:
Page 41- top line reads
drive down the street was far more important that seeing what was happening on Mars. that should be than
Page 339
Fighting back tears again, Gabe reached down and gently shook the boy’s shoulder. Gabe is the boy and it should have been Leo that reached down.
It seems that the art of proof reading is not what it use to be. Thank you again for bringing enjoyment to your Fans.
Sincerely,
Marsha