What I learned while on vacation last month.

I was reminded that the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX is one of the best zoos in Texas. We accidentally went there the day it was opened to trick-or-treaters in costume. Hundreds of kids and their parents went from station to station in Halloween costumes gathering candy and having fun. The entire zoo was decked out with spiders and ghouls and skeletons and spiderwebs.

My sister and I were astonished by how helpful and nice everyone in the crowd was. A stranger even paid for our admission to the park ($17.00 each) with a smile and a God Bless in parting. Have never had that happen before. After the zoo we headed to Lindale and the Lindale Candy Shop who kept their doors open for us after closing time. A fun place to just look at. Barbie Dolls dressed in candy gowns!!!

What I learned while on vacation last week.

I learned that Franklin, Texas was a good stopping point for a long trip, (Austin area to Tyler.) We’d originally planned a trip I-35 to Waco and to Magnolia for lunch, but there were no hotel rooms to be had anywhere near Waco. Figured it was an important Baylor University football night and was right.

On another topic, I finally finished reading Gai-Jin by James Clavell. The five-pound (my estimate) 1000-page small-print hardbound epic that goes after Shogun and before Noble House.

Never again. I could hardly hold it and I cheated by skimming. Halfway through I only read the European side of the story. I’m sure the Japanese side of the plot was the more interesting. Maybe they’ll make it a mini-series.

We took a drive all over the older neighborhoods of Lockhart looking at Halloween decorations. Was fun. Some people have been very creative. We didn’t take pictures.

The poster above is for the Audible version of my comic horror series of stories about a species of dangerous WALKING trees. It’s a fun book to read, it’s an even more enjoyable experience to have Bill read it to you.

Happy Halloween (in advance).

Illustration by Streetlight Graphics

I have pictures of our dogs throughout the years

And my other cats

But not of the little (actually he’s pretty big) cat who lives with me now. He’s recovering from dental surgery this week and hasn’t turned back into his true self yet.

On another note I’m writing a short story for a mystery anthology, if they accept it of course.

For buying my books this weekend. Hope you will enjoy them. Even though we sat at our sales table three days straight (meaning we didn’t go to any of the panels or other fun things) we really enjoyed our weekend at Armadillocon (Austin, TX). Had fun. Felt welcomed. And sold enough of my books to make us happy.

The picture above was what I used as the cover of my very first book The Cowboy’s Baby. (Changed it later on).

Hello Armadillocon!

I didn’t realize I’d given out the link to my not so interesting blog instead of my book website Rix Cafe Texican until this morning . Roxanne and I are looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Armadillocon is a fun convention. We’ve been vendors selling my books for about ten years (or maybe less).I write entertaining novels and short stories.

This year we are bringing at least one copy of everything I have ever published.

The Cowboy’s Baby and The Cowboy’s Baby Goes to Heaven are PG rated romance novels about a miniature longhorn bull. The Cimarron Bride and The Safari Bride are women’s adventure romance novels and are not PG. Brown and Browner are light mystery novels set in San Antonio. Talking to the Dead Guys and Tea With A Dead Gal are light mysteries set in Lockhart written about our dog Boo Radley.

The Goodall Mutiny and The Goodall Manifest and The Goodall Marauders are space opera and almost my favorites. A Resurrection of Starlings take that spot. Took me twenty years to write and is a Western horror novel set on stalled train near Palestine, Texas that just might have Jack the Ripper on board.

I’ll stop right here. I think I have twenty different books to offer. Come see us in the dealer’s room.

Time has always been too short. You likely never get to do all you want to do. And the older you get the quicker time passes.

What’s this I’m yammering about? Books. Reading books. I have so many books I want to re-read (you notice I didn’t say read?) that I’ve made myself a rule.

IF I’M NOT EJOYING THE BOOK, I’M NOT CONTINUING TO READ IT.

So, back in my own private library shelves (I really should sell them or give them away but I won’t) go Truman Capote’s BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S and Ken Follett”s CODE ZERO.

I’m re-reading THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy. (And I so wish I had written them!) And I’m still reading Gai-Jin. And getting ready to read one of Sherry Thomas’s romance novels.

I have never believed in writer’s block. And I don’t now, even if I’m showing symptoms of it. It’s laziness on my part (I’d rather read right now). I’m stuck writing on Chapter 6 of my WIP with about 15 more chapters to go. I may be down to a one book a year author. If that.

On another subject, Draft2Digital is almost finished publishing 19 of my novels in e-book. Romance, mystery, science fiction, horror, short stories, even one western. Check it out.

Got sick. Better now. Took a short walk for exercise this morning. Ate a lunch I hope to never eat again (instant heartburn). Bagel and cream cheese and Coca-Cola plus See’s chocolate (frozen) for dinner. Bet I gain a pound over that. Most of the way through one of Lindsay Buroker’s exciting series.

It’s very hot in Texas this week.