Disaster in the South

The news from Louisiana and Mississippi just keeps getting worse. Grim. The footage shown on the news looks like a disaster movie set. I feel guilty for whining about having no air conditioning a couple of weeks ago. No A/C? Thousands have no power, drinking water, or homes to return to. Or jobs.

I pray that the thousands of people who are feared dead are rescued safely. I want to help, but how? Right now, all I can do is make cash donations to charities earmarked for Katrina hurricane relief. Yes, I just shelled out a lot of money for a new heat pump, but hey! I have a comfortable, air-conditioned house. I'm blessed! I think I can dig deep down into my pocket and find something to share.

If you're a Katrina victim, you probably aren't able to read this. But if you can, please know that you're in my prayers. Hang in there.

Hugs,
Cheryl

Storms of the Heart

Ginger and I enjoyed walking outside today, relieved that we were spared Katrina's wrath. But I join all of you in prayer for the safety of those who weren't. What a nasty storm!

A few years ago, I wrote a book that is set in North Florida during a category 3 hurricane called Storms of the Heart. It's a departure from Debbie, Noel, and the gang from the Full Moon series and Last Resort, so you may have missed it.

Anyway, in the wake of hurricane Katrina, my mind returned to Stephanie and Red, who battle not only a hurricane but a killer or two. Then there's the matter of a romance that developes between the two at the worst possible time (isn't it always?).

So if you like romantic suspense and are up for a hurricane story, check out Storms of the Heart at Wings ePress today!

Cheryl

At last! Rain and Air Conditioning, too!

Hi from steamy Florida! Yes, our new heat pump is installed and working great, so the house is cool. Also, we're having a bit of rain, which we need. All in all it's a good day to sit and write.

No one answered the question of why Dog Days are called such, so I guess that trivia will go unanswered. I still like the idea of the constellations arranged a certain way this time of year. It's a lot more romantic than rabies fears!

Romance is what I'm about, of course, and it's what I write. Right now, I'm writing a time-travel (A first for me) and the heroine's name is Katrina. Lo and behold, that's also the name of the hurricane now headed for south Florida!

It's not my fault!!

Cheryl

Dog Days ...

These are the Dog Days of summer. I can't remember exactly why late July and August days are so named. Seems I remember vaguely something from my childhood about rabies. Or maybe it has something to do with the constellation Cirius lining up a certain way this time of the year. If you can enlighten me on why these are called the Dog Days, please add your comment.

Right now, Ginger has her own definition of Dog Days. When it's too hot to be outside--even in shade--she comes in from her walk and collapses on the carpet or sofa. She barely has energy to bark. Today I picked her up from the groomer's and she looked oh!-so-cute. I tried and tried to get her to pose for a picture. Finally, I contented myself with this shot and decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

The A/C saga continues. Yes, we have A/C at the moment, but only until the Freon runs out. Then we'll have to get another shot. The part that was ordered, a cooling coil(?), takes a week to get here and costs 1/3 the price of a whole new heat pump. Today we made the difficult decision to replace the whole enchilada. It'll be Monday before it can be installed, but that still beats the repair date. After suffering through last weekend's mid-90s, we hoped to chill through this coming weekend. Hmm.

Stay tuned . . .

Cheryl, sweltering in Florida

True Story, stranger than fiction!

My sister e-mailed me the story from AP about Melvyn Reed, a British man who woke up from his coronary bypass surgery to find all three of his wives waiting to confront him. Yep, he was a double bigamist! He'd tried to stagger their hospital visits, but the three met up in the parking lot.

This is so much like a Stephanie Bond book I read a few years ago called OUR HUSBAND (which I recommend). Seems truth really is stranger than fiction!

It's 95° here and our AC is on the blink. The AC repair guy can't get here until Monday morning. I've managed to get the temperature down to 82° here in the house by closing all the blinds and curtains and running the ceiling fans on high. I promised hubby chicken fajitas tonight. I have everything cut up and ready to throw in the pan, but even a little bit of heat can sure drive up the temp in the kitchen.

Whew! I look forward to fall.

Cheri