Darlene's Digest

  “You want to be careful about not going into the brush without checking first. The last thing you need is for a snake or a scorpion to say howdy while your trousers are down.” “I don’t recall having to deal with venomous snakes before.” “You were a town dweller, John” she said, giving him a glance over her shoulder. “You don’t hunt, but you shoot. You’re used to tailored clothing. You can rule out being a farmer or a homesteader from your life.” “That still leaves a lot of choices.” They came around a massive live oak and he saw the creek, dragonflies hovering over the shimmering water. A blue jay disturbed by their passage called out raucously from a maple and another bird answered. It seemed peaceful out here in the woods even though danger was everywhere, according to Kate. --[WIP, Working Title] FOR THE LOVE OF A SMUGGLER  c. 2025, all rights reserved       September is college football season in Gainesville, but for me it's the beginning of Florida hikin...

There are two statues representing the State of Florida in the US Capitol. One is Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an amazing educator, civil rights activist, and presidential advisor. It is most fitting that she represent this state. The other statue is 19th C. physician Dr. John Gorrie. Less well known, but so vitally important to Florida in his own way. There's an old saying around here, "It was DDT and air-conditioning that settled Florida." DDT is now banned in the US, but in the 20th c. it was crucial for killing off mosquitoes so that people could live in this swamp. The other thing that made life bearable is air conditioning, and Dr. Gorrie's research into refrigeration and using ice and fans to cool sickrooms led to the development of air-conditioning for homes and other buildings.  I know how important this is because this week our air conditioning gave up the ghost after 20 years of solid service. It may be autumn where you are, but in Florida it's still summer...

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Today is a day off for most hardworking folks in the US, and the end of summer as many school districts resume classes this week. Here in North Central Florida summer is lingering, but it's an unexpectedly balmy and breezy 75F out there, a nice change from the 100+ temps we've endured. Meanwhile, in honor of the day, here's an excerpt from my WIP, [Working Title] The Smuggler's Amnesiac Lover . Enjoy! He stopped, overwhelmed by a wave of shameful anger, not because of here, not because of now, but because of something … someone…before. "What is it?” “I’m not worthless.” She stepped forward, concerned, and he blinked, the feeling fading. “John Smith, you are far from worthless. Anyone who shows up on my front step with a basket full of fish is worth more than, well, more than a lot of folks who come here.” She reached up and was about to touch his face when she paused and lowered her hand and he desperately wanted Kate, for that’s who she was to him in his mind now,...