2021 My Favorite Photos – Part Two
Take a peek at the second installment of 2021 My Favorite Photos. Though 2021 was a very rough year, we still managed to get in camping and enjoying the beauty nature offers. Which resulted in some of 2021 my favorite photos. Do you have favorite photos taken in 2021? Share in the comments, please.
Fireworks from Fort Carson as seen from our campsite at Cheyenne Mountain State Park . A great concert accompanied the fireworks!
Wow! After the pounding rain and thunder storm a bright rainbow emerges just over our fifth wheel in Cheyenne Mountain State Park
So quiet and beautiful view from our riverside campsite in Pleasant Valley RV Park in Howard, Colorado. Lots of wildlife, ducks, geese and various others to watch. Our visit there was September 0f 2021. Perfect weather too. LOL
Leaf Peeping in the Rocky Mountains near Cripple Creek, Colorado, end of September 2021. Such gorgeous colors. A really cute little path through the aspens it was wide enough for at ATV but not a one ton truck.
Halloween my favorite time of year. Pumpkins we craved and the little one we grew ourselves. No idea why it was so small. LOL
Time to put your feet up and relax with an audiobook A WITCH’S QUANDARY. Be whisked away from your ordinary world in to a fantasy, romance, mystery adventure. you may never want to leave.
A Broken Engagement leads to the discovery of stolen magic and malice with a little blackmail mixed in. Can they weather the storm?
Gale’s engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart.
Becoming a Solicitor, then partner in the family law firm was never Dillon’s dream. Now it’s his nightmare. Called to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the firm or be disowned and disinherited. Something is terribly amiss in the firm and family.
During Gale and Dillon’s investigation, they discover the enforcer for the Demon Overlord is also delving into rumors the firm is acting illegally. Magic has been stolen, someone is being blackmailed, and a member of the Witch’s council is corrupt. If Gale and Dillon want a life together in Ireland, they have to unearth secrets threatening to destroy the firm and family in Scotland.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Quandary, Aspens, Audiobook, camping, Favorite photos 2021, FIreworks, jack-o-lantern, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, pumpkins, rainbow, RV Park, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
Keep Your Pets Safe This Fourth of July
Pay special attention to your pets safety on the Forth of July!
Always keep you dogs and cats inside when fireworks are going off to avoid their nature to find a safe haven. Make certain your pets are walked prior to fireworks going off, close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains. Ensure your pets are wearing ID tags, even if in the house, as many animals are expert escape artists. Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle during the celebrations.
You can also prepare a den for your pets inside the house with blankets and pillows in a location they will feel safe.
Pets Safe – Now let’s talk a bit about companion parrots who have to endure this noisy holiday too.
Let me give you an example. Taco and I sit outside in the sunroom every evening after I’ve finished writing for the day during spring, summer, and fall. Over the past week (end of June first of July) the boom of fireworks are prevalent from early revelers. Taco is normally a fearless Eclectus. She’s learned the outside hawks can’t get to her through the glass of the sunroom. Thunder and lightning doesn’t bother her either, she’s been conditioned from an early age to understand there is nothing to fear. Now softball size hail falling is another story and a tale for another time. But, the sudden, unexplained noise from the fireworks has her flying off her perch and cowering on my shoulder. So we have to go inside during this time. Boo Hiss.
First we need to remember pet birds (unlike dogs and cats) are prey animals. They have evolved with their eyes on the side of their head, to enable them to spend long periods of their life looking over their shoulder. Some birds can even see better behind them than in front of them.
By nature, birds are neophobic, meaning they naturally want to retreat and avoid anything unfamiliar. By perceiving a new object or sound as a potential threat until proven otherwise, they increase their chances that they won’t end up as someone’s dinner!
This means birds and Parrots are constantly evaluating their environment and can become stressed much more easily than you may think.
Let’s consider some ways to help our pet birds and Parrot reduce the amount of stress, anxiety and fear they suffer with the loud booms, and sudden light displays.
Pets Safe – Tips for birds in the home…
Alternatively, cover any windows with blankets, to block out those sudden burst of light.
Covering the bird’s cage with a thick blanket can help muffle any loud noises, plus it helps make the bird feel more secure.
The use of white noise machines or having the TV or radio on a little louder than normal can help drown out the sudden noise of fireworks.
Please note, noise isn’t normally the problem, as Parrots are noisy by themselves, but the sudden sound of an unknown loud noise is what frightens them.
If bird(s) don’t live in a cage it may be wise to utilise a travel cage. Even Parrots who have had their wings clipped have been known to fly off when scared which could cause injury!
Some pet bird owners have been known to play recordings of random noise, including those of fireworks to their birds – be it in the home or those outside in an aviary before firework season begins. The idea is that they eventually learn that unknown noises won’t harm them.
After the celebrations are over, make sure to check your yard any pick up any debris from the spent fireworks or maybe those that didn’t go off. These are harmful to your pet should they chew or ingest these items!
Most importantly in keeping pets safe: NEVER TAKE YOUR PET TO A FIREWORKS DISPLAY!
The American Veterinary Medical Association and AKC have more safety tips. Check them out. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Views: 311
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged 4th of July parrot safety tips, FIreworks, fourth of July, Keep Your Pets Safe This Fourth of July, loud booms, Pet Safety tips, Stay Safe by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
Fireworks, Romance Anthology, Interview Michal Scott
Give a warm welcome to Michal Scott a/k/a Anna Taylor Sweringen one of the authors of FIreworks, a romance anthology. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and Fireworks, A Romance Anthology, specifically her contribution, Light the FIre Again.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Excellently executed slapstick. Even when I see what’s coming it’s experienced as a surprise. One movie that does this perfectly is It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. I’ve seen it a hundred times and never fail to laugh at all the jokes as if seeing them for the first time.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you
I’m a retired protestant minister who writes in three different romance genres: inspirational, gothic and erotic but focused around the second chance trope and the theme of forgiveness. This past year I’ve thrown my hat into the women’s fiction ring as well with an African-American adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas. I’m native New Yorker, raised in Brooklyn from the time I was two and lived there for sixty years. My favorite thing to do was sit on the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights. I relocated to the Southwest two years ago with my husband of thirty years and our two cats, Scully and L’il Cat. Since we have no children, my mom calls them her grandcats.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I outline my stories using the templates from Mary Buckham and Diana Love’s Break Into Fiction. When I’m blocked, I refer to the template that applies to that place in the story. The questions provided never fail to blast me into action.
Why do you write what you write?
As Michal Scott I write erotic historical romance set in the 1800’s because I’ve always loved history and appreciate the resilience demonstrated by freeborn African-Americans and those newly freed as they fought for their share of the American dream. I write at steamy and erotic heat levels because the power of the erotic mimics the power that created the universe and I want to tap into that power whenever possible.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)?
I’m an anal retentive plotter. I always start out asking the question “What if…” then plot and develop my characters like I’m on steroids.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Notorious
Favorite book: Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Last book read: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness
Favorite color: Black
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: God of Grace and God of Glory
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Apple pie
Favorite junk food: Mint chocolate Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Watch old movies
Champagne or gin: Yeech. Neither.
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Love
Review or Not: Review
Immerse yourself in the seven explosive romance stories of Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology:
Light the Fire Again by Michal Scott
Butterfly’s Fire by Lyla Bellatas
The Glory Girl by Cindy Redding
Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
Passionate Pyrotechnics by C.E. Derosier
Illegal by Barbara Campbell
Love and Two Fourths by Jane Colt
All proceeds go to support the adult literacy organization ProLiteracy, so support a good cause while you enjoy some great sex.
A sneak peek between the pages of Light the FIre Again:
Even at night Coney Island’s boardwalk on the Fourth of July swarmed with people, strolling, buying from vendors, heading for the beach. Firecrackers crackled and popped, eliciting surprised screams and plenty of giggles. Children ran to and fro waving sparklers. Fireworks, small and sporadic, burst against the sky then died into the Atlantic.
Adelaide laid her head against Hero’s shoulder and watched it all with a tired but happy satisfaction.
She yawned. “I guess we picked the wrong night to consummate our love.”
Love. She’d actually said it. A frisson of fear pricked at the base of her skull. Had Hero said he loved her? She didn’t recall love among the litany of wants Hero had spoken that won her heart.
She looked into his eyes, studied his face for a reaction to the four letter word.
“Not the wrong night. Just the wrong place.” He smiled. Love, warm and welcoming, shone in his gaze. “I know just where to take you so our love making can have the privacy we deserve.”
Her stomach lurched with joy, but fear still chilled a small part of her heart. A small part yet large enough to make her quake. She needed to hear him say it, so she said it first.
“I love you, Hero.”
Buy links:
Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology – https://amzn.to/2Utag6T
About the Author:
A recent transplant to the Southwest from New York, Michal Scott is the erotic romance pen name of Anna Taylor Sweringen, a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister. Anna has been writing seriously since joining Romance Writers of America in 2003. She also writes inspirational romance as Anna Taylor and women’s fiction and gothic romance as Anna M. Taylor.
author links:
Website – https://michalscott.webs.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mscottauthor1
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2TSHzRn
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Fireworks!
Views: 289
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anna Taylor Sweringen, FIreworks, Light the FIre Again, Michal Scott, Romance Anthology by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
Fourth of July – A Memorable Camping Trip
What a fantastic Forth of July we had. Went camping at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Ok, I admit it, we camp in style. We’ve left tent camping behind years ago. My family likes the comforts of home without all the to-do lists, not to mention, hiking trails and wildlife right outside our front door. Thursday, the Fourth of July, you couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was clear with a few wispy clouds, a balmy 82 degrees, slight breeze, in short, beautiful!
Our campground overlooked the entire city. Yep we 
planned this. Wanted to see the fireworks set off over the entire city. And we did. Stayed up until midnight watching the different displays all over Colorado Springs.
The next morning was shrouded in mist, really cool, after the warm 4th. It was a welcome relief as was the evening showers Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Got a chance to relax outside with hubby, dog, parrot and turtle then enjoy reading some of the books I’ve been saving on my ipad. Since time seems to travel at the speed of light these days, our four day weekend was a welcome respite. We also hiked around the numerous trails in the park, saw deer, chipmunks (drove our dog nuts), wild turkeys ( the kind with feathers, not the human kind well, maybe there were a few of those too) LOL.
Sunday came too soon. With storm clouds on the horizon as the sunset, we had to pack up and head toward home. My hubby had to return to work, I to my writing cave and my work in progress which was awaiting my arrival to the keyboard. Sigh. Once home, I discovered that my book AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT is a semi-finalist in the Raven Awards. Yippee! Voting is now open, I’d love your vote. Here is the link to vote. http://uncagedbooks.com/raven-awards/semi-finals/
I hope your Fourth of July was enjoyable as well. I’d love to know what you did over the Forth, enlighten me in the comments!
Views: 271
Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged An Angel's Unintentional Entanglement, camping, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, FIreworks, fourth of July, Raven Awards, Storms, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
