Winter Aliens Part I

Nothing like going out to inspect aliens in the dead of winter.

Snow

But plowed roads. Mostly.

One field had cows, horses, turkey and ...

Deer. Who didn't take kindly to my stopping to photograph them. 

 They ran in front of the truck and sprang oh so gracefully over the fences.

Did I mention the turkeys? They didn't care what I was doing as long as I didn't get too close. 

Of course there was Devils Tower in all its misty glory.

Where the deer couldn't find hay on the ground, they took to the stacks. 

The road goes ever on and on...

Until the next ranch.

Part II - More winter landscapes.

Reading Round-up

I know, I know, I've been a bit remiss in updating the blog. Haven't had much to write about, so here's a make-up post.

NEWS:
Back in November I participated in the Poem a Day Challenge over at Poetic Asides, and in December I turned a chapbook manuscript for the contest. I didn't win, but did place as a finalist. Go HERE to read all about the winner of the chapbook contest and read some of her lovely work. Finalists listed at the bottom.

Onward--

Here's a round-up on some of what I've been reading and re-reading of late. A little light on the fiction, so if anyone has some recommendations for fiction I should be reading, please leave a comment. I've always been more of a non-fiction reader, but after looking over my list, it appears I'm in dire need of some new flights of fancy.
 
NON-FICTION
 
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster – Jon Krakauer
    The author's account of his quest to climb Everest, and his part in the tragedy that happened when numerous expeditions collided.

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman - Jon Krakauer
    An account of the events leading up to the death of Pat Tillman, US Army Ranger and former pro football star.



Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in The Lord of the Rings – Matthew T. Dickerson
    A book on the nature of war, battle, and morality as seen through the writings of Tolkien.

Tolkien in the Land of Heroes:Discovering the Human Spirit – Anne C. Petty
    Exploration of the themes in Tolkien's books.

Lessons in Disaster: McGeorge Bundy and the Path to War in Vietnam – Gordon M. Goldstein
    Everything you wanted to know about the lead up to the Vietnam War, and then some.

How Did You Get This Number- Sloane Crosley
    More humorous essays by the author of I Was Told There'd Be Cake.

Dark Nights of the Soul – Thomas Moore
    Spiritual growth and reflection from a psychotherapist and Catholic Monk.

Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting – Al Gury


FICTION
Miles Vorkosigan series – Lois McMaster Bujold

The Spirit Ring – Lois McMaster Bujold

Haze - L. E. Modesitt Jr.

The Magic of Recluce - L. E. Modesitt Jr.






 


POETRY

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun – J.R.R. Tolkien
    Tolkien's retelling of a couple of epic Norse stories of Sigurd the Völsung and The Fall of the Niflungs

We Don't Know We Don't Know: Poems – Nick Lantz

Lightning That Strikes The Neighbor's House: Poems – Nick Lantz

The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry – Edited by J.D. McClatchy


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