I'm baaaaack....

After the trauma of the holidays, things are finally somewhat normal and I am getting back into my routine. I’m still busy with lots of dogs staying here (thank goodness) but the real project is my looming deadline on a book I am writing. Animal Planet: Boxers is due to the publisher on February 15. Although I did lots of research before Christmas, writing came to a complete standstill over the holidays. Between pet sitting and plumbing, my plate was full (And if you remember correctly from my earlier post, I couldn’t wash that plate).

Tucker and Tyson, my two favorite Boxers

So now I am scrambling and writing 2,000 words a day to finish my 35,000-word book. I had a hard time getting started because many of the subjects are the same as my first book for Animal Planet, Labrador Retrievers. But I need to say it all in a new way. How many different ways can you describe tapeworms? I finally figured out a way to do it (by not looking at the first book at all), and am now clucking along, churning out pages. I’m a blabbermouth; I’ll have lots of editing to do.

A special treat this week, and a great motivator, was when the proofs for the Lab book arrived. I was thrilled to see it all laid out with photos. The book won’t be out until September, and I can hardly wait.

My beautiful Christmas quilt- Thank you Kalysta and Debbie!

A special Christmas gift

In the midst of all my holiday plumbing trauma, an unexpected gift arrived. This beautiful quilt (shown here) was made by my young friend Kalysta, and her grandmother, Debbie. Kalysta and her family visited last summer and we had a fun evening with the horses. Kalysta and Honey were instant friends, and the palomino pony on this quilt looks just like Honey. The cat looks like my Sterling, and the pony in the lower left looks like Ari.

Needless to say, I was moved to tears. It was the most thoughtful, beautiful thing I have received in a long time, and I was really touched that they went to all that work just for me. I had no Christmas spirit until the quilt arrived; then I was filled with gratitude and love for the wonderful people in my life. 

© 2010 Terry Albert. All Rights Reserved.