Spotted cat getting sun in a second-floor window.


Was spotted back.


Cat showed utter disregard for camera and photographer.

Not sure if she'll see this, but a very happy birthday to Kathy M today. Here's a little present. I spotted this in the sky on Sunday while I was out. All I had was the camera on my cell phone.

I am a big dork who managed to forget that since Greg was going to be in Houston for a signing, it might be a good idea to order a couple of hardcover copies of his new title. Of course there were paperback copies available at Murder By the Book, and Tim and I each bought one there to give as gifts, because we'll always support our local independent bookstore. But when Insight Out makes special-edition hardcovers available, we indulge ourselves. Anyway, as you can see, they arrived today, so the next time we see Greg, we'll get them signed. As Greg has pointed out, the cover photo is clearly from the French Quarter, whereas the title informs us that the murder is in the Garden District. Vexing to an author, but very few of us have input or approval of our covers. And as Greg also pointed out at his signing, at least it's not a Chinese takeout cover on a novel that has nothing whatsoever to do with Chinese takeout. Our writer fiends friends never tire of mocking our poor Three Fortunes cover.

Here are a couple of photos from Greg's signing:

Writers Gavin Atlas and Greg Herren; me with Greg and Timothy J. Lambert

This past Thursday, we not only didn't have Survivor night (which I still haven't seen, although it's recorded), but I didn't get to see the first episode of the Project Runway finale. We were attending Scout's Honor Rescue's Movie Night and Silent Auction. The Epicure Café provided space for the auction, and California Pizza Kitchen was the site of an after-party. It's always fun to see a movie at the historic River Oaks Theater, and I'll admit that I giggled all the way through Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It's amazing how the Scout's Honor volunteers put such a great night together, and how many donors contribute art, sports memorabilia, culinary treats, jewelry, wines, and other items to the auction. The event is underwritten by the fantastic Don Puryear of Happy Tails Dog Spa and RE/MAX Metro.

More photos from the evening:


Tim and his boss point out some alluring auction items and guests.
The Big H is obviously exhausted from her hard work.


Lindsey, Rhonda, Kathy, Tom, and Tim
Tim holding one of the gift bags given to all the guests



I've been working a lot on the setting for my Runway Monday final collection, but I wasn't willing to start designing and sewing until I saw what challenges/guidelines the Project Runway contestants would be given. I have a theme and some fabric and was thinking I'd be doing five, maybe six, looks. Imagine my surprise when we watched the recorded episode Friday night to learn that the designers were expected to do twelve looks! Then, at the last minute, they were told they'd be doing a thirteenth! Some of the eliminated contestants came back to assist them, but I don't have any cutting and sewing elves. However, last year's runway judge Michelle Hors scoffed at the idea that I couldn't design a dozen-plus outfits. She's right; I can do it. But I can't promise when they'll be done. The PR designers get several months. I may need at least a couple of weeks, but I won't let you down. And neither will my own version of Mood. Wish us luck!

Current Photo Friday theme: Three

I do, I do, I do.

Today is Scout's Honor Pet Adoption Event in the Heights, so Pixie is on an outing. If you're in Houston, go by and see all their wonderful animals available for adoption. This is a great photo Lindsey took of Pixie sleeping on top of her BFF, Sugar. These two have such a fantastic time playing together. Lindsey hopes that Pixie's forever family will want to set up play dates for the two of them.

Going to your local brick-and-mortar store would be a great way to celebrate National Bookstore Day. Remember to be kind to your booksellers, who provide the best links between you, writers, and the nourishment of your imagination.

It's a good day to post a photo of your favorite local bookstore or tell a story about why it's special to you. My favorite Houston independent bookseller, Murder By the Book, will be hosting Greg Herren's signing for Murder in the Garden District at 4:30 today. That's where The Compounders and The Brides will be. Join us!

We've recently switched our thermostat from air conditioning to heat. A couple of times since, I've heard this odd, part musical, part moaning sound late at night and tried to determine if it's coming from the furnace.

In looking through my photos, I found one of several stuffed owls (cropped to a single owl in the above photo). It occurred to me that maybe what I'm hearing is an owl. Tom said he's seen one recently near The Compound. Of course, now that I want to hear the noise, I haven't heard a damn thing.

This window display reminded me of another book I think might be interesting: The Stuffed Owl: An Anthology of Bad Verse. Because, as certain characters in a novel called The Deal could tell you, mocking bad poetry is a good time.

Apparently, for me, Halloween was all about the tricks. I tried for hours to upload my Halloween photo set to Flickr--a photo set I've been working on for several weeks just for the holiday, including costuming and setting--with help from Tom on enhancements to The Compound.

Belatedly, from our coven to yours:

Happy Halloween!

If you're interested in a closer look at the models, including all twelve Birthstone Barbies, four horses, a banshee, and representations of Greg Herren, Famous Author Rob Byrnes, Timothy J. Lambert, and me--or as we affectionately call each other: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death--the full set may be here, depending on the whims of Flickr and Live Journal.

Sorry for being late.

Current Photo Friday theme: Well Groomed

Beginning my own new photo series with a theme of windows. This photo:

has led me to this book, which I think I really must own: Eating Her Wedding Dress: A Collection of Clothing Poems, edited by Vasiliki Katsarou, Ruth O'Toole, and Ellen Foos. Description: One hundred contemporary poets—local stars and literary luminaries such as Kim Addonizio, Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins, Elaine Equi, Jorie Graham, Maxine Kumin, Paul Muldoon, and Charles Simic—join together in this anthology to celebrate clothing in its many forms and functions: as desire, as ghost, as body, as poetry, as talisman, as transformer of the soul.

Current Photo Friday theme: Autumn 2009

Houston doesn't get autumn's riot of color found in cooler climates.
So Mother Nature gets dressed with a little help from her friends.