HELLO FROM CATHERINE

Well, here we are again, meeting at this fun, casual, and far more personal page. As you know from the Front Page letter, my life has been rather hectic over the past many months, and that is enough said about that.

On to happier subjects! I wish you could be here on Cinnamon Ridge to see the wildlife. This year, word seems to have gotten out to all creatures large and small that the ridge is an animal refuge where hunting is not allowed. We have an abundance of squirrels, a variety of birds, cottontail bunnies, and herds of deer, including bucks with gorgeous antlers and does with tiny fawns. At any time of day, you can look out the windows or sit on the decks and watch the wildlife to your heart's content.

We have one doe, christened Nickie, with twins. In June we were very worried about Nickie's health because she was so thin that she was almost skeletal. I named her Nickie because hunger made her bold enough to enter our breezeway and eat grain from the large plastic trunk where we mix the animal feed, and when she was standing right outside my office windows, I saw a nick in her right ear, inflicted, most probably, by a bullet because it is perfectly round. Maybe I should have named her Lucky, for if a bullet left that hole, she came very close to being shot in the head.

Anyway, when we saw her pathetically poor physical condition, we immediately went to the feed store and got a wildlife block, full of wonderful nutrients for deer, and we've kept the pails filled as well so she can eat and drink her fill, any time of day or night. I'm happy to report that Nickie is now fattening up and and looking healthy. It was a hard winter here—lots of deep snow—and havinving twins must have taxed her already thin body to a point of gauntness. Her fawns were the smallest and skinniest I've ever seen as well, so her milk must have been poor. The entire "Nickie" family is thriving now, so much so that it's hard to tell Nickie from the other does unless we can see the nick in her right ear, which isn't always easy at a distance. (We are careful never to venture close because it is safer for wildlife to remain wary of humans.)

As for the squirrels and chipmunks. Do you remember Einstein, our chipmunk burglar who moved into the house and proved to be smarter than the average furry critter? Well, we now have hundreds of Einsteins up here. Their populace has multiplied to such an extent that they have almost become a nuisance, but not so much that we've decided to do anything to diminish their numbers. Yet. I believe my husband is sorely tempted each time he discovers they've eaten through the hot tub wires again, or when we find that they've invaded the garage again. Thus far, I've headed trouble off at the pass by reminding my husband that their numbers are so great, getting rid of a few of them will barely make a dent. So why even bother to try? More will just move in. The argument makes perfect sense to me. So we're trying reverse psychology and feeding them away from the house. ??? So far, the jury is still out, but the hot tub wires haven't been nibbled on for over two months, so that seems an indication that our strategy may be working.

Meanwhile, the dogs are kept happily busy from dawn until dark, chasing squirrels and chipmunks. They occasionally get lucky, but for the most part, the chase results in only harmless fun. I swear, the squirrels enjoy the game almost as much as the dogs do, for they seem to deliberately taunt the canines into giving chase. Kibbles, our cancer patient, seems to have become a breast cancer survivor. She has outlived our vet's prediction and is now continuing on borrowed time. I'm happy to report that she's having a fabulous summer, chasing and digging and playing. Her appetite is still good, and she looks wonderful. If she's sick, you can't tell it by watching her. She is having the time of her life.

Buddy and Talili, our two Australian shepherds, still get into the occasional fight, I'm sorry to say. We have curbed the frequency, though, with a spray called Direct Stop made of Citronella. It doesn't hurt their eyes, but the smell is unpleasant. It was invented to halt the attacks of aggressive dogs upon humans, but it works just as well when two male dogs get into a spat. We also have spray bottles of water sitting around the house as part of our arsenal. A direct spray of water into the dog's face is distracting and can stop a fight before it starts. Ah, what fun. I have spray canisters and bottles as part of my decor.

Moving on to books, I am very anxious to have my life return to normal so I can get started on the next story in the Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan series. Yes, there is now a new family added into the mix, the Harrigans. You will meet Samantha Harrigan and all her brothers in SUN KISSED, Tucker's book. I think you will fall in love with the Harrigan men, ranchers and horsemen, in keeping with the Kendrick/Coulter tradition. The possibilities for some great new books are virtually endless.

Well, until next time, my friends, I hope that you find many wonderful books to read. If it's winter where you are, snuggle down under an afghan to enjoy your favorite author's latest release—or if it's summer in your neck of the woods, find a spot of shade and lounge on the deck with the story of your choice. Life should never be so busy that there's no time for reading!

Big hugs to all of you,

Catherine