I returned from my two-week holiday this month, depressed and chubby round the middle. I had to eat a lot of comfort food while I was away because of how much I missed the dogs. It wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity. They say food is not love, but I’m not so sure. My reunion with Enzo was intense and is still ongoing. He is working through his emotions. There was a little anger and then huge relief, delight and adoration. Buddy did a brief happy dance and then fell asleep. Wiener is still not talking to me.
I miss having nothing to do but read (amazing) books in a swimming pool all day and eat giant sandwiches. It's good to have a proper cup of tea though.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: No, Ericka - it was mostly anger.] |
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Book Two News. Well, sort of... |
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With the publication of my second book Goodbye Birdie Greenwing edging ever closer, I thought it was time to give you a quick update. I can confirm that there have been some phone calls, some meeting dates put in diaries and I've even been looking at some fantastic designs for the jacket. So, um... I can't share anything with you at this very moment but there'll be lots more news soon - and you'll get to see the artwork imminently. Watch this space! |
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A Brand New Short Story - LIVE TODAY |
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We've been in the thick of wedding season so, naturally, my thoughts turned to romance. Forever love or fleeting feelings - how we can we ever be sure? Spring Heart, a brand new short story has just gone live on my website today. | | |
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Raye Selects Her Life-Changing Books |
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The 'Embarassment of Riches' that is the contributors to my regular '5 Books That Changed my Life' feature continues apace. This month's selection comes from Raye of the fantastic Being Bookish podcast. From Middle Earth to Italy, via the riverbank and Toad Hall, you can check out Raye's choices on my wesbite. | | |
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What I Did Missed on my Holidays |
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Yes, I know. Holidays are marvellous and all but I'm a creature that loves my home comforts. I'm not ashamed to admit there were quite a few things that I missed terribly while I was away... |
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1. A proper cup of tea I took my own teabags and bought fresh milk and a thin-lipped mug from WALMART. But it just wasn't the same as at home. I didn't sip it and go 'ahhh' like I usually do with my morning cuppa. (Guess what I did the moment I returned.) 2. Not being too hot After going on and on about how much I could not wait to be so hot that I'd have to sit in the pool all day doing nothing, when I was in the pool, too hot to do anything, I missed being cold. In fact, I went to our room, put the air-con on so high I got goosegogs and then snuggled up in bed. While the sun raged outside.... and palm trees glowed green, and the sun loungers glistened with the sweat of tanning bodies (actually, ew). |
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3. Vegetables I stopped having desserts for two months before I went away so I could mainline sugar, and guess what? I missed my greens. In the land of burgers and chips, I longed for some broccoli and a bit of spinach. I missed my overnight oats with chia seeds. I got a toothache and a belly-ache and a headache. 4. My bed Oh, my lovely bed with my lovely pillows and my lovely quilt. We didn't have a quilt on the holiday bed. We had a thin sheet. I like to be pinned down when I'm asleep. I had to ask for extra pillows to pile on my legs but it was not the same. 5. Dog noises Obviously I missed my dogs, but I didn't realise how much I love the sounds they make. Buddy's yawn, or his deep groan as he turns to sit down. I missed the sound of clattering claws on the kitchen floor and jangling collars and slurpy tongues in water bowls and muted sleep yips and growls at the postman. They're the sounds of home. It's so good to be back. |
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If you'd like to read more about my holiday and my thoughts upon returning home - and why wouldn't you!? - then I posted some Holiday Musings to my blog. Head over and check them out. | | |
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Lolling about in the sun and the pool and being transported even further with some outstanding books... bliss. Find out more about my holiday reading with my mini book reviews over on the website. | | |
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Our Summer Giveaway WINNER |
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Thanks to everyone who entered last month's prize draw to win a copy of my favourite crime novel of all time, We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. Congratulations to the winner - Lesley McLean. I'll be in touch for details of where to send your book. |
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We're returning to my friend and favourite artist, Tony Parsons this month with this beautiful painting of Cuckmere Water in Sussex. You can follow Tony on Instagram and see loads more of his work on his website. |
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So, it's goodbye to August. That move into September really feels like one of the most significant points in the calendar, doesn't it? A new school year. The nights visibly drawing in. Autumn pretty much upon us. And are we making Pumpkin Spice Latte a thing here? No, let's not. Peace and paws out, people
Ericka (and Enzo) |
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