Welcome to the 30th From Finn’s Forest. I’ve been busy working on editing my new book, “When There’s Only a Christmas Wish.” I get super focused on the edits. It needs lots of editing since it started as a short story and grew.
There was a vacation mixed in that we spent mostly at home, catching up in the yard. We also did a day trip for our anniversary to the redwoods, Bodega Bay, and saw Disclosure Day.
Last week, the washing machine was down, and we needed to make a laundry mat visit. It’s a great place to people-watch. Think we have that fixed, fingers crossed. It required taking the drum out and pressure washing it by hubby, while I scrubbed the bottom part. I’m thankful for those YouTube videos! What a job, but better than sludge and smelly clothes. Might start eyeing a new washing machine, but with the old design.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned that we had an aggressive mountain lion in our neighborhood years ago. I know we have them, but we never see them. This one made itself known. One night, our neighbor’s son couldn’t get out of his car; the lion blocked the car door. This was before cell phones, so he slept there, and the mountain lion didn’t leave. It sided me once from behind the trees while I was walking our two dogs. A neighbor’s dog, which we ended up with later because he was determined to be our dog, came to our assistance. Authorities stepped in, I believe. But as I said, we usually never see them until recently.
The last couple of weeks, one has been seen in people’s yards. I haven’t seen it; others have. So, I’m careful going outside.
This morning, I went out to water and feed the birds and squirrels. The bear had visited the night before and knocked over our garbage cans. I caught him on our security camera and yelled at him to leave through the microphone. He did. But the ravens then take over in the morning and spread it all out. I went out to sweep it into a pile when I felt as if I were being watched. Then I heard a twig snap in the forest. I stopped what I was doing and realized there were no birds or squirrels; it was silent. I abandoned the cleanup for later and headed back into the house. For a good fifteen minutes after that, silence continued.
Then, as if nothing had happened, the birds and squirrels returned. I was done going outside for the day. Neighbors have reported this mountain, and they are supposed to relocate it.
These types of events will usually find a way into my stories, even if just the feeling. It can add that story depth or common ground that readers can relate to. The sudden silence makes a character, and the reader is curious as to what is going on. It doesn’t have to be a silent forest. It can be a room that suddenly goes quiet, or kids can’t be heard playing anymore. It alerts the character to pay attention; something is off.
Here are some photos from vacation, including the redwoods, Bodega Bay, and our oldest grandchild, who graduated from high school 🙂
Embrace your inner child in nature and heal your soul, while paying attention! Denise
It’s good to see a post from you, Denise. Your mountain lion is story. You certainly had to be careful around wild animals.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 I know I haven’t been good about posting or visiting. It is quite an interesting story and one I hope to not live. Yes, always careful when it comes to large wild animals like lions.
🦁💛 enjoy the summer
Thanks for the great photos. I love the birds gathered around the car on the site of the film set for The Birds!! That is so funny. Happy Anniversay!! xo
I was cracking up walking up to the car and seeing those birds. At least they just wanted a chip and not to attack 😉 Thank you, Darlene! Xo
here’s to the inner child joys of life
Always, Annette 🙂 Love that inner child’s prospective! Xo
Happy anniversary, and congratulations to your grandson! I’m glad you paid attention to the silence in the woods and went inside. Who knows, maybe it saved your life. That’s crazy about your neighbor’s son having to sleep in the car, what a story for his grandkids!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 It’s an uneasy feeling when all the birds and squirrels disappear. Usually they watch me water or put out the seed. With that lion spotted, I wasn’t going to take any chances! It was crazy and quiet the story. He was afraid to honk and get the attention of his family in case it attacked them. Never heard of a mountain lion that bold before.
Such heartening pictures.
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂
I grew up in the high desert and not the forest, but have experienced that eerie silence that happens. Even the bugs went quiet. We had mountain lions there too.
It is so eerie and you are right even the bugs are quiet. I guess that silence follows the mountain lions.
A mountain lion would be a scary thing to have lurking outside. Thanks for sharing that scary story. We used to visit Bodega Bay a lot when we lived in Marin County.
They usually don’t like to come near us, so when they do you have to worry. Bodega Bay is a fun place to visit, it is actually the closest beach to us according to goggle. Nice the Russian River is so close too.
Lions and bears oh my. You do walk on the wild side, don’t you. Where you live must be fascinating, but take best care. Can’t wait to read Christmas Wish…..xo
Sandra
I defintely do walk on the wild side…lol. Our dogs used to take care of us, Sandra, now I”m on my own. xo
Be careful….
You certainly don’t have to venture far for new material for your books, Denise! Happy Anniversary and congrats on your new book coming soon. Happy Editing,, xx
No, I sure don’t Cindy 🙂 Thank you! xo
Seeing a mountain lion up close would be a worry, Denise. I’ve always admired them, but never had one up close. It’s good you had a vacation and anniversary trip. Happy anniversary to you and your husband. Congratulations for the graduating grandson. We just had a grandson graduate from high school and a 28-year-old grandson that was on the Dean’s List when he graduated from Texas A&M. I’m sure your new book will be fantastic.
Luckily, I’ve never seen one up close either only in the distance. That was close enough. Thank you we did have a good celebration for both events. Congrats to both your grandsons on their succeses.
😍
Kudos for your progress on the new book! I would not bring food anywhere the vicinity of where “The Birds” was filmed! 😱
Thank you, Liz 🙂 Yes, they sure wanted one of those chips! The one on my hood didn’t budget when I got in the car.
You’re welcome, Denise. 🙂
That’s scary about the mountain lion, Denise. Good move going inside. And good luck with the washer. This is the longest we’ve gone in our married life without having to replace the washer or dryer, fingers crossed.
It is one forest animal, I dont want to run into other than a skunk! Yay for good washing machine and dryers. May your good streak continue, Teri!
Great post, Denise, although it’s incredible how you can be so matter-of-fact about bears and mountain lions visiting your neighbourhood and even your yard! We think the pigeons are a pest here – absolutely nothing compared to what you have to cope with. I hope they catch and relocate (or whatever) the mountain lion soon.
Thank you, Laura 🙂 Having grown up with birds being the wildest thing we’d see in our yard, I think we was just pure fascination at first seeing them. Bears are our pests but so darn cute too. Luckily they are afraid of us and our growling cat! We have a large flock of pigeons who visit too, they are pretty timid visitors. Thank you, I hope thst too.
Beautiful photos. The story of things going silent while cleaning up would be enough to send me back inside. I’m glad to hear that you work these situations into your thoughts, stories and characters. Those are the things that bring stories to life, and you do that very well.
Thank you, Dan 🙂 That Silence is pretty unnerving. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. It does make the story fuller when we mix a bit of real life in there. Thank you!
Mountain lion is my power animal, but that being said, I wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with one in the physical dimension. You were right to listen to your instincts and to the animals around you. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos!! Looks like a wonderful way to celebrate.
It’s wonderful that you and Jeff are so handy at fixing things. Here, not so much:) xo
Sandra
I like your power animal,but like you said would want to run into it in person Thanks, Jan, the warning was loud and clear. It was a good celebration, thanks.
Whoops. I left my reply under Jan. But I’m here:) Heh.
🙂 Happy to see you here
Love your and the hubby’s hoodie pic. Glad you had a good time.
xo Sandra
Great post!
Thanks, Dawn 🙂