Guess what. There are more frog eggs on the mountain… lots more! Check ‘em out:
Here’s a close-up. See? The tadpoles are getting bigger! I’ll continue to post updates on this blog. The frog eggs are fascinating. So much fun to observe. And they’re along one of my regular trails, too! hehe
We’ve had a good bit of rain lately, and the creek branches are running strong. And that means another of my favorite things on the mountain — waterfalls — are extra-pretty.
More signs of Spring: the tops of the trees are budding…
…sprouts are springing up all over…
…and the feather-moss is growing lush.
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My friend Bunnygirl, author of the novel Maelstrom for which she writes delightfully funny flash-fiction extras, is holding a Bunny Benefit the weekend of March 28th and 29th. Read all about it here, and be sure to hop over to her Maelstrom blog and read the story of how the Bunny Benefit came to be. It’ll have you doing binkies! Then check out Part 2, where the band is trying to decide which charity to support (there’s a Voter’s Guide, too, and a reader’s poll in the sidebar).
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Writing progress: I’ve completed an outline for rewrites of Patchwork Stained Glass (the novel formerly known as Occam’s Razors), and I’m ready to start the actual rewriting tonight. I’ve spent quite a lot of time on this outline, but at this stage, it’s far better to tighten the story and plug plot holes in a thirty-page outline than in a four-hundred page novel.
When I get back to Heart’s Chalice, ready to start my third-draft revisions, I’ll be doing — you betcha — another outline. My outlines aren’t set in stone, though. My characters still run the show. Rather, my outlining is a tremendously useful pre-writing exercise in brainstorming and story-tightening.
And I’ve been working with Black Lyon on my debut novel, Mirror Blue. Its release date is tentatively scheduled for May 1. Getting closer and closer!
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Thanks for the shout-out about the Bunny Benefit. This is my first-ever virtual party and although it’s a lot of work, I’m learning a lot and I know that when I get ready to do my book release party, it’ll be a snap because I’ve gotten a little practice.
I love your little froggies. I wish I had a place to watch some develop. Maybe we’ll get ducklings in the university fountains again this year, though. That’s as good as it gets around here.
Is that the mysterious mythical waterfall you mentioned earlier. It certainly is a beautiful part of the world that you live in.
You’re more than welcome, Bunnygirl! Looks like you’re having a blast with the Bunny Benefit.
And I’m brainstorming ideas for my book release day — eep!
Aren’t the little froggies adorable? I just love watching them develop. I hope you get some ducklings in the fountains! I’ll never forget that hike last year when a gaggle of ducks followed hubby and me halfway up the road to the trailhead. We never knew where they came from, and we never saw them again. Mystery ducks!
Hi, Paul! I haven’t found the mythical waterfall yet. But I’m going to keep looking. Local rumor has it that the mythical waterfall is forty feet high.
The waterfall in the picture is part of a series of cascading waterfalls near one of my favorite trails on the mountain, in a region which I call The Shire. The name fits. When I spend time there, any minute I expect to see a furry-footed hobbit. Or perhaps a wood elf playing adventure’s delightful siren song.
If I’m a hobbit (sans the furry feet, of course
), then I’m definitely the sort who loves adventure.
Tadpoles and waterfalls. Oh I can’t wait for spring here.
Your release date is so close. It must be exciting.
How do the frogs’eggs get there? Are they on a creek bed?
May 1st – a special day, Thomma Lyn!!
Hi, Leah! Yes, I’m excited, and I’m spazzing out, too.
So much to do, and I’m figuring things out as I go along.
Hi, Julia! Mom and Dad frog get together at a water source to breed, then Mom lays the eggs and Dad fertilizes them outside her body. And the eggs are in shallow water, water that doesn’t move too fast.
Wow, May 1st is just around the corner, Thomma Lyn I hope all goes well for you, my dear friend. It sound as though you are a very busy with all your books, how do you find the hours in the day. Have they given you a book cover yet?
Best wishes to you and Grendel (((Hugs)))
It looks like those froggies are about ready to burst their bubbles. I love your photo journals of your outings in the mountains. The poems and sayings you pick always fit perfectly with the pictures.
Things are finally beginning to burst out here, too. Buds are swelling and the blossoms on the tulip trees have opened.
It does look like spring is about to arrive, finally.
Hugsabunches, KS
Thanks so much, Annie! Yes, May 1 is close and getting closer all the time. I’m nervous and excited at the same time, emphasis on excited, but oh, how I wish there were more hours in the day. The book cover is still on the works, but my book now has great back cover copy, and I’m getting ready to update both this blog (under “Debut Novel”) and my web site. ((((((((hugs))))))))) and best wishes to you and Orocarni!
Hi, KS! Aren’t the froggie eggs awesome? I look forward to checking on them again. Hopefully tomorrow! And I’m so glad Spring has arrived for you, too. The blossoms on the dogwood trees have opened, and there are so many of them along the road where we live — they’re beautiful! ((((((((warm fuzzy hugs)))))))))))
Morning, Thomma, anf happy first day of spring, my (((friend)))!
I love the new name you’ve given Occam’s Razors. Very beautiful for a most beautiful novel. Guess what, I found some frog eggs near my pond too?!! Lots!
C’mon May 1st for Thomma Lyn!!!
Happy First Day of Spring to you, too, Kimmi! And I’m glad you like the name Patchwork Stained Glass. I need to get busy on those rewrites. Had planned to yesterday but ran into a software issue which I had to get straightened out. Today, surely!
May 1 — yup, getting closer and closer, as is April 1!
Neat-o that you found bunches of frog eggs near your pond! They’re so much fun to watch develop. ((((((((hugs))))))))), my friend.
What beautiful pictures. It’s great to see signs of spring when where I live we’re still under three feet of slowly melting snow. Wow – on the frogs! I was just saying that I haven’t seen many around in the last few years. Maybe they migrated south – forget snow birds/snow frogs. Love the pics!
Thanks so much for visiting, Ryshia! Wow, three feet of snow — that’s a huge amount. I’m glad it’s melting, slowly but surely. And yes, the creek branch near the trail will be frogging out very soon.
Bunnies and binkies? How can I not check that out?
May First, yes, will certainly make you The May Queen.
And pretty amazing tadpole development.
You seem very methodical on your work, I feel like that sometimes too. Know what you have to do and do it. Bravo!
*grin*, Jannie! I like that, “May Queen!” This May Queen had a nice spring fling today in the form of a hike, and the tadpoles have developed further. They have nifty little whippy tails now!
I took more pictures, which I will post soon.
Yeah, I’ve been on the methodical side with my writing lately. On one of my WIPs, I did two complete rewrites, yet the story still needs rewriting. It’s the one which is baking now in my mind’s oven.
Currently, I’m rewriting a story which has baked in my mind’s oven for some time, lending quite a bit of clarity, thank goodness!
xxx ooo, my friend!
I’m so glad spring is coming.
I haven’t seen frog’s eggs in a long time. Thanks for sharing, I used to catch frogs when I was a little girl.
I was a strange little girl. LOL.
You’re welcome, Amy! And I understand, I was a strange little girl, too.
Caught frogs and toads and turtles. I especially loved catching those itty bitty toads which were so tiny they could sit right in the middle of my palm.
More great photos! You are such an inspiration! Best of luck with the rewrite, keep us posted!
Thanks for your sweet words, Kim! I’m plugging along on the rewrite — these last few days, I haven’t had as much time to write as I would wish, but I’m hoping that will get better again soon.