Hi all,

Sorry I’m posting late today.  I have been on a twenty-four hour search for my wedding ring.  I managed to hang on it to for 37 years, and now its MIA. One of the prongs bent, and I’d been waiting to send it with my dh down to the jeweler in Fairfield, the next time he headed that way.  But alas–we went on a trip and rather than leave it in an obvious place like the jewelry cabinet or a top dresser drawer, I hid it.  So well, in fact, that I still cannot find it.  Have you ever done something like this, or is it just me?!  I have completely emptied the drawers in our bedroom  and main floor guest room, emptied my closet, looked in every nook and cranny–two and three times each.  Even my spice cupboard!

Anyway.  I meant to be posting today about change. Just last week, this was the view from our deck.  This fall, perhaps due to the drought here, our autumn has come in stages instead of all at once–the leaves on that birch glowed like gold two weeks ago, then those leaves fell, and the maple started to turn.  And today!  I had read nothing about snow in our forecast, and now the ground is white, and gorgeous flakes are still swirling from the sky.  The neighbors have six weanlings in a large corral next to  our place, and it’s always hilarious to see weanlings respond to their first experience with snow.  They buck, and rear, and kick at it, shaking their heads and trying to escape the wet flakes coming down.

But there are other changes going on around here–just yesterday, we all celebrated our granddaughter’s first birthday.  What a treasure it is, to live close by and be able to see her open her presents and deal with her first birthday “smash cake” (which you can see at the left.)  The cloud of fluffy frosting baffled her at first….then she tried one tentative finger poke…then it was no holds barred.  :)

And…I’m on the verge of–finally–joining the new age of self-publishing, with two books that should be available in December (Comeback Cowboy and Summer at Briar Lake), a third by mid-January (I hope) and a fourth in early spring.  But I’m also hoping my agent will soon start shopping my trilogy to regular, print publishers as well.  Exciting times, for me.

I’d love to hear about your opinions on this new age in publishing. Do you prefer print, or digital books?  Which type of e-readers do you like best?

Roxanne Rustand,

enjoying our snowy day in Iowa!