Royal Excursions

We stopped at the charming Royal Oak Bookshop where I picked up the eclectic trio of Visiting Mrs. Nabokov (1993) by Martin Amis, The Backgammon Book (1970) by Oswald Jacoby and John R. Crawford, and a math book on Algebra. We also went to a nearby park where we enjoyed about an hour until the sun heated things up a little too much. Still, a fun excursion.

Royal Oak Bookshop in Front Royal, Virginia.

Bookstore's Simone making Ava feel welcomed.

At a nearby park heading off for other worlds.

Our Visit To Luray Caverns

Drapery formation, about 1/8 inch thick.

Dream Lake.

Water reflection of stalactites.

Speleothems of stalactites, and columns.

The wishing well.

Cranmers At The Park

Our daughter snapped this photo of little d and me at the park, today, playing backgammon. We were under the pavilion where a nice breeze kept us comfortable ... a pleasant break from the ninety degree temps with humidity. I brought two books to read, The Dark Tower and Orwell's Facing Unpleasant Facts, but much more enjoyed gammon with the mrs and going for a walk with the photographer.

Hope you are all having a top weekend.

Lilac

I've mentioned planting a lilac and d and I managed to get the tree (some call them shrubs) in the ground yesterday. Not the exact right time for lilacs but we will nurse her carefully.

Decompressing

The sun is finally striking through and that will give me an opportunity to clear out some brush on our property (nicknamed the High 'Chalet') and plant a lilac we bought last week. Landscaping gives me a welcoming decompression after a long day in front of the screen. Also, I'm learning to break off at 5 p.m. and just not think about deadlines and relax. (That's MUCH easier said than done when you work for yourself.) Family times goes into full swing with board games like backgammon, Scrabble. Or reading something purely for entertainment that has nothing to do with reviewing like my current evening diversion, The Little Book of Mathematical Principles by Robert Solomon. Also, Little d and I are slowly whittling our way through the first season of Raising Hope and the final season of Doctor Who featuring Peter Capaldi as Twelve. So as I like to say from time to time: "Easy, you know, does it, son."

—and now let me spin around the web and see what everyone else is doing.

Broken Down

My jeep decided to give up the ghost today, but, thankfully, while I was waiting to be rescued I had Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS with me. Forgot how much I enjoyed this novel and the thirty minutes zipped along to my father-in-law showed up. Now, wonder how much the old beast is going to cost for repairs. It's an electrical issue. Oy vey!

Today...

Managed to ready another BEAT to a PULP book for release, added a load of gravel to our driveway (with my father-in-law, Little d, and Ava's help) which was in desperate need, played a close game of Scrabble coming in second to my lovely charmer, and now am settling in to enjoy some Saul Bellow (I'm rereading HUMBOLDT'S GIFT). Hope you all in Blogger Land are doing well. Peace.

Changes

Hummingbirds, those magical visitors, have left heading south. The leaves are starting to fall from our birch tree and the air has decidedly turned a bit colder. I do enjoy the approaching season but will miss a few of these pleasures.

Duck at the Lake

My daughter Ava's "Duck at the Lake" dedicated to her Grandma Sheila who passed away this past week.

Remember Mr. Mint, Lord Licorice, Plumpy, and Gramma Nutt?

Our present choice for family game night is Candy Land. Remember that one? Our 1999 version features King Kandy, Mr. Mint, Lord Licorice, Plumpy, Gramma Nutt, etc. One great thing (among many) about parenthood at middle age is the chance to relive childhood again. Little d and I have as much fun in this simple race-to-the-finish board game as four-year-old daughter. And, yes, it’s still frustrating to be almost to the end only to get stuck in Molasses Swamp or sent back to Plumpy when the rest of the gingerbread men are hot on your heels … always my luck!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

*****


Clayton Oliver Cranmer

(1928-2005)

Photo taken 1942


*****

Stone-Faced

In Cooperstown, NY, yesterday, on some unrelated to the writing agenda when Denise spotted the glum James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) sitting all stone-faced, seeming to ponder why everyone these days is more absorbed in talking no-hitters and stolen bases. His statue safeguards the grounds where his treasured Otsego Hall, the home his father built, once stood before it burned to the ground a few years after his passing. There was no parking so my charmer willingly hopped out to snap these photos while Ava and I looked on.

Torn And Frayed

Went to edit my latest and found out my daughter was already working on it.

The High and the Mighty

Blustery kite weather this afternoon and my charmers along with Ava’s grandfather had a lot of fun flying this butterfly and ladybug. The hand to my mouth is when the kites nearly collided in midair. Luckily my daughter is a skilled navigator and no harm was done. Though, on my own, I managed to slam the butterfly into the top of a tree—and amazingly pulled it down without damaging it. Thanks to Aunt Meta and Uncle Bob for sending the aerial fun.

Little Shutterbug

Ava was playing photographer today, and then her daddy snapped a picture of the little shutterbug.

Ice Castles and Drifters

A week of shoveling out from various winter storms and building an ice castle (inspired by FROZEN of course) for my daughter. Early mornings have been spent finishing up a Gideon Miles novella and giving a new look to The Drifter Detective series.

2/12/15 update: And STILL more white fluff ahead which makes my three-year-old pleased because her castle is becoming quite elaborate and now includes an opening at the top. She crawls up and sits on the snow-packed roof and surveys her vast kingdom which includes a nearby bird feeder and her grandpa plowing the road. And just checking Amazon all the Drifter Detective titles have been reorganized. I do like the new look. Hopefully it kicks the series in gear.

In Bloom

Photo of Amaryllis taken by my three-year-old daughter Ava.

Sunrise Over The Mountain

1/18/2015. Photo by David Cranmer

Tiny Yuletide Guardians

More of my mother’s past creativity: Here is one of many Queen’s Guards that Mom made out of clothes pins and small pom-poms. These sentries faithfully protect my sister Meta's Christmas tree each and every year. Sometimes they come under attack when Boomer the Dog’s happy tail swipes at them. Otherwise, they have a most pleasant assignment.

Hello, Goodbye

Ava waving to the good folks in Tysons Corner, Virginia. At that moment, I was playing Billy Joel's Greatest Hits and the lyrics "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes" seemed to be timed perfect.