Newsletter 14: Fiery Hot Suns and Blood Red Moons

July 2024

Here, in central Washington, we have five seasons: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Mordor. Mordor, like all real/mythical villains, is constantly fighting for supremacy over Summer. Mordor is anywhere from 100ºF to 119ºF, with smokey skies and blood red moons at night. Our black vehicle parks outside daring its interior thermometer to set new records. (Damn my love of the color black. But I refuse to get over it.) And even at night the temperature never drops below the mid-80s, so opening the windows after dark brings little relief. Summer can be lovely. Mordor, on the other hand, can be a bit intense.

After years of this weather, there are a few things Adam and I have incorporated into our daily Summer/Mordor lives. Two-liter soda bottles filled with salt water and frozen rock-hard are great to ‘cuddle’ with in our chairs, sleep with, and place in front of fans to help out our valiant little window air conditioners. (Our home’s 1950s insulation does what it can, but it’s out-gamed.) We remind each other to drink water. We keep our curtains closed. We run errands in the evening. And we also keep suitcases packed and ready for fire evacuation notices. We’ve already had one this month. Fortunately, before we actually had to drive off, the fire was under control. So instead we stood in our yard and watched the spotter planes and the bucket helicopters fly overhead with giant scoops of river water. I’m excessively grateful to our firefighters. They do such a great job keeping us all safe.

I’ve begun to take the same approach with all things hot, fiery, and intense: assess, prepare, act (if necessary), and then accept and move forward with my day. I’m making a point of noticing the moments of cool and enjoying them completely. And I’m trying to bring a breath of cool, fresh air into the spaces I live, work, and visit. Because that’s all I really have control over. And I’m starting to think that’s enough. 

Are We There Yet?

I’ve been busy collating all the notes from our rerelease readers, and Adam and I have begun going over them together. We’re also in the process of getting another cover drawn up for Manly Hero. We’ll be taking all the possible covers to small test groups to see how readers respond. And we’re busy with book two of A Discovery of Legends. Also this last month I’ve been busy working with a nonprofit board that supports writers and authors. Which leads me to the next section…

Upcoming Events

One of my goals in life is to build a stable and profitable career as a writer. I also want to help other authors and writers do the same thing. So any time I can be part of promoting and supporting authors I’m stoked. That brings me to a project I’m super excited to be part of:

Write on the River is hosting October BookFest, October 5, 2024. It’s a place for Northwest authors (indie and traditionally published) to sell their books, hang out with other authors who are doing the same, and meet and chat with readers. So, if you are a Northwest author check it out. And, if you know someone who might be interested, please pass the link and info on to them. We’re hoping to see this become an annual event so we’d love if you boosted it, applied for it, and/or attended. Hope to see you there. :)

Obsession Sessions

There is one odd thing I can’t give up during the heat: hot chai. Why? It just feels soothing, despite the air’s warmth. It’s my morning and evening drink of choice. And, my favorite rooibos chai blend is from a company in Oregon, Soul Chai. I mix a liberal scoop of chai with a scoop of Dandy Blend, add water, and top off with cashew milk. I’ve got one sitting in front of me as I write this. So, if you’re craving something spicy and comforting, I highly recommend it. (P.S. It’s also good iced, if you want to drink something that makes more sense during these warm/hot/Mordor months. 😉)

Bye For Now

I hope you are staying cool, caring for your energy and sanity and heart, and enjoying the moments of calm, cool, and love you find around you. 

Love you, Petra ❤️

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Thanks for reading! As an indie author, I really appreciate your support. :)

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