In most places around the country this year, winter has meant deep snow and ice, many times in places that rarely get it. I believe I have the basic reason the Salish folks really liked to use canoes. They are for years like this one that are far above our winter rainfall average. Everything is water logged. Rivers and streams are hard to cross on foot. The wind-whipped waves out on the Puget Sound required a sturdy craft to navigate it.

The rain garden I constructed in my back yard at the foot of my hill now has a rain bumper crop. Otherwise the whole yard would be a muddy mess rather than just half of it. March has come in like a very soggy lion and a lot more is due this week. I can certainly understand the need for woven cedar hats in this stuff, lacking umbrellas or blue tarps. It won't be long before the salmon start swimming across the flooded highways down south of us again.

Would I like snow any better? You've obviously never driven up or down my driveway when there's an inch on the ground. Rain is better, since I'm on a hill. I'm from a place where there is a lot of snow, but it wasn't icy and people were geared for it. Snow turns to ice quickly here, so people spend a lot of time curling with their cars and trucks. I think Western Washingtonians were the originators of that sport.

I do not blame the groundhog for this winter. There's no way he could have seen his shadow in this continual cloud cover. He did his best. There are all sorts of Native American stories and legends about wolves, bears, etc. I wonder if there are any about the groundhog...

This novel takes place in my own County in Western Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula. My editor and I have just completed four major edits on the manuscript and now it is being edited line by line. We're also waiting for the magic that the Champagne Books' artists are noted for on the book cover art. It's a pretty exciting time.

Hollow Point will be an e-book due out on January 6th, 2014. You've probably already seen that in my WIP section, but it bears repeating. The story is a mix of real life and lore that I think the reader will enjoy.

If sales are vigorous, it could be available in paperback at some point as well. Meanwhile, use your e-readers with gusto!

And on a side note: Fall came on officially last weekend. The news says there is a chance of some lowland snow next Monday (9/30). That doesn't happen very often here at sea level this early in the year. It's time to put on the wool socks under our sandals!