Squashed squirrel, flattened bullfrog, splattered snapping turtle.  Of the three, I only regret the turtle.  Snappers are cute.*

Floral report:  phlox, oxeye daisies, lupines, and iris blooming.  Locust trees are starting in on their prey-stunning perfume.  Day lilies and buttercups in gay profusion.  And again, as every year, I misdoubt the wisdom of the horse-farm pasture full of those buttercups.

Warmed up into the 60s F, wind light and variable, so I slathered on the sunscreen and biked upriver and down the other side.  Got passed by another bicyclist that vanished over the horizon in a distressingly short period of time, but he is probably forty years younger than me . . .

26.77 miles, 2:10:17

*For warped-writer-of-dark-fantasy values of "cute."  And from a respectful distance.

According to the internet, it rises at 0455.  I can't think of any reason why I had to witness it, on a Sunday morning.

Air temperature 54 F, dew point 43, wind north about 5 mph, scattered high thin clouds.  A bike ride may occur.

Writing may also occur.  Have slogged along to the end of Chapter XXIX, in which the legend of the Lorelei pops up.  Al doesn't like Rhine Maidens. 

Hello~

I’m currently attending Miscon and it’s slightly overcase, a bit sprinkly, and tons of fun.

It’s also very crowded. This is what happens when GRRM attends a con. The unhappy news is that Patty and Mike Briggs both came down with a nasty bug and aren’t able to attend. So I’m missing seeing them. However there are a ton of other old and new friends that I’m getting to see and that’s hugely enjoyable.

I got here yesterday with the kids and set about getting ensconced in the hotel and getting registered. Then I went to the writers workshop meet and greet, followed by a panel on Mystery crossing over into Genre. On that panel was Maggie Bonham, Steve Fahnestalk, JA Pitts, and me. It was a good panel, though it felt a bit meandery. Then we went to dinner with a bunch of friends at the Irish place a couple of parkinglots away. It was excellent food and conversation and I got to see S.A. Bolich and Andrea and Jeff How, all of which I haven’t seen in at least a year, and Brenda Carre, who I haven’t seen since . . . well, it’s been a few years. I tried to absorbe some house selling vibes from her, since she just sold hers.

Then it was back to the hotel room where the kids, the man, the dogs and I goofed off and eventually slept. Both dogs and the girlie ended up in bed with me. How does that happen? So I’m dragging.

Then up early for breakfast and for the writers workshop. It was a really good group. And then I snuck out for a bite and came back and did a panel on writing realistic languages in fantasy and sf with George RR Martin, and Jim Glass. That was fun. George is very funny. Next up is a panel on Urban Fantasy Noir, and then the next is on Monsters, both of which will be very very cool. I’m doing my level best to stay out of the dealer’s room, but I hear things calling my name. I’m so trying not to answer.

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Originally published at www.dianapfrancis.com. You can comment here or there.

First red rugosa rose bloom full open in the sideyard.  Smells sweet.

Fog and drifting bits of ocean in the air this morning, air temperature 62 F and dew point 61, wind east at 5 mph.  Pair of mockingbirds across from the drug store, perched on a wire and giving that displeased "chup" call but not attacking anything.  Maybe they don't like damp feathers?

Still fishing for "reader reviews" of POWERS on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, folks.  Suppose they gave a book and nobody came?  Word of mouth (or screen) sells books, saves authors from panhandling on street corners.

(Almost "Friday floral flourish" for the alliteration, but I spared you.)

First blue flag irises seen, blooming in a roadside ditch.  Lilacs and honeysuckle heavy enough to scent the road.  Also first day lilies and spirea bushes blooming.

No roadkill.  Guess all those vultures have been busy.

Still dank, but temperatures in the upper 50s F and not actually raining, so I got out on the bike.  More wind than I wanted.

15.31 miles, 1:12:20

The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it. ~Confucius