The Dogs are Sleeping

In the Palouse

All three dogs. And with two hours until daylight here in the Snake River canyon, so is my husband on this Saturday morning. I’m writing from our 26 foot travel trailer, parked here on the riverbank since we arrived last Monday.

Doozy, our two-year-old setter, is snoozing in her crate beside me. Our old girls Mamba and Rose are curled in two more crates—giant ones—in the back of our truck. Littermates, they’re nearly thirteen now, and sleeping’s a consuming priority.

That, and exploring the Palouse hills and canyons, an annual trip that had those ancient pups again prancing in anticipation.

Here’s a phone shot of the Dooz at the Yakima River (taken en route here). Phone photos will have to do for this letter. My camera—with pics of all three girls—is tucked in a cupboard directly over Blake’s head.

Best to let that sleeping dog lie.

Ah. And here’s a years-ago phone pic of the older girls after a romp, happily exhausted.

As I write this, we’re in the canyon below that skinny cloud bank at the top left.

Friends’ grandad built the foreground barn in 1909—for the horses that drew plows and threshers back then.

Surrounding the barn? Dryland wheat farms, as far as the eye can see. They bring Deuteronomy 28:12 to mind:

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.”

He has.

Uh oh. Sentient beings are rousing. Gotta go.

If you’re a subscriber and haven’t yet entered the giveaway for Susan Meissner’s To Mimi’s House We Go , reply by Friday, November 1, with MIMI somewhere in your text, and I’ll drop your name in the drawing.

Finally, three more fun pics—bookish ones. The first two from Thursday morning’s book signing at Tick’s in Colfax, Washington. Great fun to meet readers smack in the heart of territory where Leaning on Air takes place. Lots of books went home for Christmas gifts.

The second, a surprise from reader Lorraine Groom, who wrote:

“Hi. I thought you'd like to see a picture of your book out in the wild. This is my new bookshelf at the library at my church in Platteville, Wisconsin. I am the librarian there.”

Thanks for sending, Lorraine. 🧡 I’m adding this to pics from Maggie, Maureen, Valerie and others of Leaning on Air at the Eiffel and Pisa Towers and on boats, beaches. A good life for a book (and those who hold it).

Send me pics of you with the story? I’d love to share.

Just checked my watch. It’s fifteen minutes until 6:30 am, my favorite time of day—hands down. ⏰

What’s yours?

Love,

Cheryl