The third image is the same huge yellow tree, among others, viewed from my bedroom window. Each season brings a new scene. This season is the most stunning.
The third image is the same huge yellow tree, among others, viewed from my bedroom window. Each season brings a new scene. This season is the most stunning.
#Autumn color changes. Leaves. #WritersLife
Well, isn’t that a long title now. ☺
One thing I love about autumn is walking in the fresh air and viewing colorful landscapes.
Another thing is having a camera with me. Lately, I haven’t been walking alone so conversations keep my muse from focusing. She sneaks out sometimes. I’m happy when she finds her way through the chatter. However, my muse works in mysterious ways like stopping me when leaves filled with raindrops lay in my path. I stop a moment to use my phone to snap pictures.
It’s hard for those who don’t take pictures, to be with a person who stops without warning, to take a picture. Sometimes this bothers me that others don’t get it. Other times, I don’t care. Photography is my hobby, and there are times it calls as much as writing. For the past few years, I haven’t given in to the photography nudge because writing takes precedence. My camera bag sits in my closet and the DSLR camera hasn’t been out for a couple years. However, my little point and shoot went with me on a day trip last week. So did the chilly rain. And wind. The camera remained in the car. LOL. I took one picture with my phone while walking Main Street in a quaint little town a few hours from where I live. One is better than…none? Hmm?
While walking alone, ideas for a current WIP can come into focus or new storylines pop into my head for something brand-new. I usually prefer to walk alone for this reason, but I have a friend who recently started walking. She uses a walker. Good for her! It’s encouraging having another person urging me to get out from under my laptop, literally, and move my behind. If she can get out and walk, then I damn well better get out there and do it, too. My doctor would be so proud.
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for reading. I appreciate every visit from you. Now, back to the keyboard. Enjoy the rest of your week.
What are some ways you’re inspired to use your craft?
Images are copyrighted and my own. Excluding the Inspiration of the Muse image. Graphic made by me.
Welcome back to Canyon Junction! We’re here with another Short Snippet Saturday post, but first… My heart goes out to all of you affected by another hurricane in the U.S. Many of you are still suffering from Florence and now Michael. Prayers and hugs are sent to everyone in need, and for those of you who are experiencing nature’s forces around the world.
Well, the business of the day here is:
It’s no surprise that I’d soon be posting another snippet from my new release, Hooked by Sundown, #3 in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series. I’m happy to say the first review came in with a five star rating. It made my day. By the way… There is nothing short about this snippet today. Not even the title. ❤
Sheesh, I need shorter series names though.
I don’t think an explanation is necessary for this snippet. It involves, Wade, Sophie, and her brother in Wade’s POV. It’s rather long. Not as long as it nearly was though before I cut some out. 🙂 Pour yourself another beverage and take a seat.
Wade set his cup down then cranked his neck to be sure she remained out there while he said his piece. “I warned you about hurting your sister.”
“Shut up, dude. I didn’t touch her. Who said I had to listen to you, anyway?”
Dumbass. He came close to grabbing him around the throat. “You can hurt people without touching them. Look at her. You need a job? Straighten up, and I’ll give you one where I work. We have a guy on his way out. He doesn’t know it yet. Let me know when you’re ready, and you got a job.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like seeing her distressed over you.” Sophie rose from the chair and headed inside. “Keep the job 
in mind. It’s your choice.” Wade removed a skillet from the bottom cupboard, turned the stove on, and added bacon. He warmed up his coffee and observed Sophie’s face when she came in. She glanced at Clay then back to him as if she expected new blood and bruising.
“Do you have ice?” she asked.
“Yep.” All this reminded him too much about his own brother. Regardless, Wade missed him. Accepting his death hadn’t happened yet. How long would it take?
She got ice out and found a baggie in a drawer. “Here, bro. This will make you feel better.”
Clay glanced at Wade then applied the bag to a knot on his forehead. “Can I get out of here?” he asked Sophie.
“Not yet, I’m making breakfast. Take those aspirins.”
Wade had to get out of the room. He understood family issues better than most, but he was about to gag at the way she babied Clay. A couple big breaths later, he reentered the kitchen.
Clay headed down the hallway but came back, gripped the doorway, saying, “Thanks. Both of you. I appreciate it. Don’t fix anything for me.” He turned toward the bathroom. “Let me know when you can take me to get my truck.”
Sophie sighed. “I don’t know why I do this to myself.”
She’d hid her turmoil well. Wade got up to hug her. “This is what I wanted to do last night. You’re afraid of losing out again and don’t trust me.”
She returned his embrace. “Aren’t we all? I’m afraid of a lot of things like my boy being hurt again, me…”
Wade held her at an arm’s length. “Didn’t you hear me say I don’t want to hurt anybody? You need to stop hearing only what you want.”
“It’s a promise you can’t keep.”
“Yes, I can. The part I can keep. Yeah, I’m gonna die one day. We all are, but I hope it’s not too soon. Between now and then, I can promise.” Wade peered into her eyes. “You gonna hurt me? It works two ways.”
She sniffled, but tears didn’t fall. “I’m afraid I already did.”
Yeah, she did, but he allowed it to dig at him. “Will you hurt me again?”
“It isn’t my intention.”
“Let’s move on then. Stop dwelling on the fact that you’re going to lose again. Maybe the other loss was also your gain.” Damn, but that sounded cold-hearted. He grabbed a fork to turn the burning bacon.
“Oh no, it burned. I’m sorry. Go on. Get out of here so I can concentrate on feeding you.”
“I can take Clay to get his truck if you want to finish breakfast.”
She turned down the heat. “Sure. Let me ask him.”
He took her arm, but she shook it free with a glare. “No. Tell him instead of asking.”
She gave him a weird look. “Ah…”
“Sophie…” He wouldn’t say she needed to stop acting like Clay’s mother. That decision was hers. She’d have to find her own escape from his dominance and to stop enabling him.
“You’re right. Thank you for taking him in last night. If not, I’d be waiting at the hospital.”
Wade strode into the great room and headed to the stairway. “I need to get my keys and wallet.” He went upstairs and stood at the rail. He couldn’t hear their voices, which was a good thing, meaning Clay hadn’t argued or raised his voice with her. Wade got what he came up for and went back downstairs.
Clay waited at the door. “I’ll pay for your gas. I don’t suppose you smoke.”
He shoved his wallet into his back pocket and attached a knife in a sheath to his belt. “Not anymore. It’s not necessary for you to put gas in my truck.”
“It’s the least I can do. That’s a damn big knife.”
“That’s the way I like them.” He gave Sophie a hug before leaving. “See you soon.”
At Wade’s truck, Clay held the door before getting inside. “You’re good for my sister.”
Wade nodded in agreement, got in, and drove away in silence. You’re damn right he was good for Sophie. Maybe she’d figure it out sooner than later because he didn’t plan on waiting until later.
Thank you for reading. Visit the page HERE to read more about this Spin Off Series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series.
I hope your weekend is off to a great start. The weather here went from the high 80s to the 40s within a couple days, but it’s beautiful here. Each day I see new trees changing color in the wooded area right outside my bedroom window. My car has turned yellow due to small leaves falling from the tree in the front yard. I don’t know what kind of tree it is.
Soon, when the leaves are all down, I’ll be able to spot where the turkey and deer live. Eight or nine turkeys come out on occasion to strut across my parking lot. The Tom usually stays behind until later then he squawks and screams trying to find them. (I guess.)
How’s the weather where you are this autumn?
Thanks for visiting. I love when you stop by!
This day will never be back again. Summer is officially over. Not many more hot days and sticky nights. Did you want to see summer end? I didn’t. Summer is special. A time of regrouping for so many of us. It’s a time for beaches, sandals, shorts, baseball, bull riding and whatever else you choose for your summer fun. Winter seems so long and spring is unpredictable, but summer is summer and too short sometimes. That brings us to autumn.
Do you have a favorite season? Mine would be autumn. There’s a lot to love about the fall, especially if you live in the Midwest like I do, where the seasons have distinct types of changes. Deciduous trees with their changing colors and shedding leaves gives the area a completely different look and feel. Once you notice the first maple leaves change to yellow, then it starts a changin’ quite 
quickly afterward.
Next thing you know, we have a whole neighborhood full of colorful trees then leaves crunching under foot when they drop. We might smell the familiar odor of burning leaves. The crisp air in the evening, a starry night and a harvest moon, and apple cider seem to speak of an en
ding, a preparation for a long winter ahead.
Autumn days can be sunny and still hot on occasion, and we can always look forward to Indian summer where we have one last shot at nice weather, reminding us we should have flown south before the howl of November winds. So now that autumn is here, it makes me a little sad, reminding me of short days and long nights. Life quiets down a little and we ease into a different kind of schedule.
Before long the window scrapers will be brought out, and snow tires might be installed. De-icer for the door locks should be searched for and put in a place we’ll remember for the first time we wake to a sheet of ice covering our vehicles. Unless you have a garage, of course. Chances are you don’t have a garage at work, so go buy your lock de-icer. Don’t depend on your key fob to open your door. Yes, this tip comes from experience. Another tip- Don’t keep this de-icer in your car.
Take a few minutes this month, and enjoy the cooler temperatures, the starry nights and the full moons. Visit the beach once or twice more, and stick your toes in the warm sand on a sunny day. Make enough memories of this summer and autumn to last you through the long winter of 2013. Remember we’ll never have this day to do over.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
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