Old man dog Jax asleep on my foot after a romp outside. We don’t know how old he is. He’s a rescue that came to us with buck shot through his body and rocks and wood in his teeth he’d eaten to survive. A couple of months later, a kidney failed… spectacularly and he now only has one kidney. He’s gone blind and never really was that bright but he is a love. He sleeps on my feet and against my leg at night now to reassure himself that I am near.

I’m okay with that. He used to be terrified of loud noises…thunderstorms and fireworks. Probably because he’d been shot. I know that feeling. Over the years and some cuddles, that’s dissipated. He’s probably also partially deaf and / or no longer cares.

But he’s happy and healthy and likes to sleep and eat. He gets his cookie at night before bed and puts up with the cat beating his head when he walks by.

So… a good life. It’s been nearly 12 years since he’s joined the household. He might be 16 or 17 right now. We really don’t know. The vet couldn’t tell by his teeth because of the damage done but that was the guess.

But he’s still good for a romp and does a happy dance after he’s peed. He’s a simple dog. A dog’s dog. 😀 Really, can you ask for anything more from life?

Frances J. Cura.

Really. He’s just… fun and unf. notice the same letters being used 😀

Ah, do you blame me for wanting him as Cole?

Let’s go arty with some black and white.

Cover is done. Not anything of mine. Someone else’s.

Steampunk is off to Dreamspinner Press. I have Elizabeth North to thank for steering me into that. God, world building in 12K. Brain. Leaking. Betas have it to read but it’s gone baby gone.

I am sadly only now eating dinner. Leftover pasta from last night. Carbonara of some sort I tossed together.

I might even go to bed before midnight. Wish me luck on that. *grins*

Tomorrow… back to Cole and Jae. *cackles* *cues AC/DC*

I have to give a huge shout out to Sid Love and everyone for voting Sinner’s Gin the book of the month at Sid Love’s Blog.

Honestly, I am touched that you all love Miki and Kane and really, Sid’s got a great place going over there. Please stop by and vote for the next month’s book. I had a hard time choosing. TOO many damned good choices.

Also wanna say a huge thank you to Heather at Sid’s for the lovely first kudos for Black Dog Blues. To everyone who picked up the book, God…thank you. Really. Kai’s a special project of mine. I just wanted him to stand out there and say… fuck it, I’m here. And you all have embraced him in that. So thank you. *grins*

I just turned in the final(ish) edits for Whiskey and Wry. God I am running Grace at Dreamspinner ragged. I owe her like a bottle of tequila and some chocolate. She’s made of grit, I tell you… grit!

Fish and Ghosts has left my desktop and has entered the hopeful queue at Dreamspinner Press. Please wish Tristan and Wolf their best as they make their journey.

I have one chapter left on the steampunk short… *coffs twelve thousand limit coffs* and then on to Dirty Deeds.

On the cat front, Tam is doing well with his diabetes and comes out to me for his shots in the morning. He is more skeptical of my sister when she has the needle but I think that’s just because he’s an asshole.

What? The cat’s an asshole. He taunts.

I also have a huge head cold and it’s kicking my ass. I spent a goodly portion of my brain power this evening pontificating about why a particular shrimp dumpling should be called har gow and not something else. And then I realized, no one but me cares. But damn it, it’s what I call them. *sniffs* My half-ass Cantonese bastard language stealing.

What are you all up to? I’m heading to bed. Long ass day. Long ass week and I’ve got a few more to go there. See you on the flip side of the waffle.