After days of beautiful weather with temps in 70s and 80s, we now have below freezing temps at night and highs in 30s and 40s during the day. At least this time of the year it won't last long and spring will stay soon enough.

My nonfiction book, tentatively titled "Ancient Mystic Associations Revealed', is moving along at a snail's pace. The organization of the research is overwhelming. I have years' of notes. I fear (or am glad) that when I finally finish I will have at least five books instead of one.

Gaeth's Way, the traditional high fantasy with a romantic element, still needs heavy editing and rewriting. I have printed out a hard copy to work from, which is easier for me than trying to edit from the screen. It took some time for me to be able to use my computer for drafts, but I have been doing so for a number of years now.

I have begun a writing project with an online friend. We take turns writing sections of a romantic fantasy. What a fun thing to do! I never know what he's going to write, and the male vs female perspective is fascinating. Writing the same story with another woman would never have been the same. The plot will get interesting indeed as we aren't sure of  each other's motives to do in the bad guys: good or evil?

And then there are the partially-started novels from several years ago: a cozy mystery, another fantasy, a humorous books about cats, etc.

And here I sit in my cotton pjs, drinking coffee and thinking of the laundry that needs folding.

SNEAK PREVIEW: GAETH'S WAY by Brenda Jenkins Kleager

Aslata spoke first. "Get off of me, you son of a wart-nosed boar bitch."

"Son of a wart-nosed boar bitch?  I believe that's the one name I've never been called, by lass or man. I ken you should learn my name before you begin to make up any more for me. I am Rowan of Clan McRae. I heard your maid call you Aslata."

"Now that the formal introductions have been made, I demand that you get your stomach off of me and take that swollen prick of yours with it." Aslata began to slap at Rowan.

"Ack. None of that, my lass. If you would still yourself I would be able to get off you much easier and perhaps that swollen prick of mine would behave itself if you ceased to move so lustily under me."

Rowan removed himself from Aslata and allowed her to stand.

Aslata was so furious at his insinuation that her attempts to get up were merely lusting movements, that she could not even answer the man. She had to concentrate on breathing deeply to keep her anger under control. At least she felt that he was not going to harm her or he would have done so already.

"I ken that you want me here and now, lass. But I must disappoint you. I am in a hurry to get the information I need and to get back to my people. Perhaps we will meet again and can satisfy our mutual rutting natures."

Aslata found her voice this time with no effort. "You may have the looks that women desire, but you have less manners and courtesy than a swine wallowing in mud. I had rather sleep with the stinking goats than be bedded by you!"

"Your gests are amusing, my dear. But must you always use animals for comparisons?" Rowan tried to sound light-hearted, but something about her manner told him that the meaning behind her amusing words were true. She really did not desire him, and would be a difficult woman to persuade to change her mind. This new thought hit Rowan as though a tree limb had been rammed into his lower stomach.

Aslata continued the conversation as if unaware of Rowan's mightily confused new emotions. "I have no information to give you. So if you would step aside, I will get back to my people before you have all of them surrounding you, trying to decide whether to feed you to the wolves or to the vultures."

"Heavens above, woman. What is this fascination you have with repulsive animals?"

"'Tis all I can think of when I talk with you. Disgusting animals immediately come to mind." Aslata meant the words she spoke. Her grandmother had told her many times that "pretty is as pretty does."

Aslata continued. "I desire that you do only one thing for me."

Now we're getting somewhere, thought Rowan.

"I've already told you that I am in somewhat of a hurry, however since you are begging me in such a seductive way, …"

Rowan never had a chance to finish his sentence.

..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />