Hey there!

We are just coming off what has been probably the most overwhelming week of the year, and I have to say, I am ready for many naps. Some parts of authoring had to be put a bit on pause as we prepared for butchering and processing over 50 chickens (about half meat-chickens and half old egg layers that were past their prime days).

Coincidentally, we got a fun message from the farmer we get hay from saying he was on his way with our hay load a few days before the actual butchering. So, unexpectedly, we also got nine full tons of hay delivered on a truck. The thing is, it can't live on the truck, so it was up to me to move all 18,000 pounds by hand into our barn. Here's how I felt about that.

All in all, it turned out great. You should have seen all my little kiddos jumping into action, climbing on the stacked hay on the truck and working together to push them off the top, toppling down so I could pick them up easier. They knew they couldn't lift them, but they sure wanted to help, and help they did.

On top of that, winter is coming, and our poor cow still doesn't have a shelter. So, naturally, I made a point to head to the store to grab the huge and heavy stack of lumber, roofing, and other building materials to get started on that project. Hopefully Ginger won't be homeless too much longer. It's me against the first snowstorm when it comes to building it.

Lastly, a bull got delivered to our homestead so we can get Ginger ready for her next baby. Did you know cow pregnancies are nine months like humans? It's crazy to think about! Especially since goats grow them much faster. That means that if we want milk again next year (after she gets a few months of break with no milk) she needs to be bred now. Having someone else's bull on site is great, but a bit unpredictable. It just means we have to be careful around him, and not let the kids in the pen alone just in case.

Of course, it wasn't all just work and craziness. We took a little day get away to visit Craters of the Moon State Park as a family. The kids had a blast and definitely want to make our way over there again. They were in their element, climbing rocks and running around without abandon. The great thing about going on a school day? It was pretty empty. Just us and a bunch of empty nesters. Homeschooling ftw.

My Progress This Week

Despite all the things going on, I did manage to finish the first draft of Dwarf Blooded (book three of the Hidden Heritage series). Writing the words 'the end' is always so satisfying, but I have to say, I think this book might be my messiest first draft. Don't get me wrong, it's a complete story, with what I hope is a logical scene structure, but I get the feeling it needs quite a bit of editing. Hopefully stepping back from it for six months or so will help me feel more up to the editing task.

I am approaching the 3/4 mark on editing for Demon Blooded now, and I have to say I'm loving the story. It's pretty incredible how I can literally forget what I wrote in a book (that's discovery writing life for you). The continued story of the halfling teenagers has an incredibly new perspective written from Krista's perspective. I you haven't read Dragon Blooded yet (click here to get it so you CAN read it), Krista is the half-demon and somewhat volatile and red-headed girl now adventuring with David. I have plans to send this book to the editor starting next month.

Advanced chapters are going up for Demon Blooded on Ream if you are interested in getting early access to the story. Just click here to join the community!

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warm regards,

Dan