Author: D.L Finn, Author

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

I know I’ve been quiet the last couple of weeks, except for the two posts I had scheduled. Haven’t made it to many blogs or promoted on social media. It all comes down to a dream I had two weeks ago.

I was having one of those vivid dreams where I was in one place and then another. Part of it, I was in downtown Sacramento crossing the Golden or Yellow Bridge. But then it all changed, and I was in a doctor’s office with two female doctors. I was sitting on the paper-lined table in the blue gown when one of the doctors looked at me and burst out laughing. She then pointed to the chart and said, “I can see you haven’t been resting like you are supposed to.” She then went on to point out a couple of issues she saw. It felt so real, I popped awake and couldn’t get it out of my head. I still can’t.

Wherever this message came from, it felt like I needed to listen. Luckily, I had just finished my first draft, and that needs to sit, so a break seemed possible. I let things go with my store as well and slowed down. Of course, for me, that meant exercising more if health is my focus. I was going to see my doctor, not to mention I had a dream, but get things checked out.  But, I found out my doctor retired and sold the practise. No notice. The new doctor starts in a month. I thought about moving doctors and still might, but there went that appointment, at least for now.

I thought my family would find my dream amusing, but instead, they told me to listen to it. Dreams about my health aren’t common for me, but giving me ideas to write about are. I once had a dream about a young boy, and there were even credits at the end of it. I did take notes and will be looking for them soon.

I know dreams are where we work out our problems or attempt to make some sense of them. Unless they are just confused and disjointed, like our lives might be. They might be portals for our creativity. I also believe our bodies and perhaps a higher being might pass on a message or two.

During this downtime, I found some good advice last week. Instead of me saying I have to do something, I change it to I get to do something. That sure changed my perspective. I think my writing became I have to instead of I get to. It took a dream to remind me of what is important, in its unique way.

Still, I’m not good at just sitting. Downtime leads me to look around, and ideas for projects bubble up. I did do some painting on the outside trim last weekend, but quit when I got tired, not pushing through like I usually do. And I took a break the next day, which was Mother’s Day. We took a wonderful Harley ride by the river. I appreciated every flower and beautiful sight I saw that day. Other than that, I have taken things slowly.

When will I be back? Not sure, but know when I’m visiting your blog or reading a book, I’m doing it because I get to!

How about you? Had any dreams that got your attention or gave you an idea for a book?

Embrace your inner child by taking good care of yourself! Denise