Appreciating The Neighbors

Woke up this morning to find that one of my Berthoud neighbors, Cathy Burnett, had posted a comment for the first time on one of my older blogs. I’ve had locals from Berthoud and the surrounding towns post reviews about my books on Amazon, but Ms. Burnett is the first neighbor I do not interact with regularly, personally, during my rounds in the neighborhood, who has posted on my blog, and that makes my day, especially since she is not only enjoying my books, but also enjoys Casa Claire.

“I live down the street from you. Just finished “The Wise Ass” and am about 1/3 of the way through “An Alien Appeal”. Really enjoyed your first book as I know where you live, and it explained so much about your front yard, which I enjoy daily as I either run/walk my dogs by. Looking forward to finishing the second book and starting the third. Next time I see your donkeys in the front yard, I’ll stop and say hi to them.”

I do know Cathy to see her, as occasionally I have spotted her go by CC, usually jogging with two dogs. There is not a lot of foot traffic in the area, so you tend to notice the humans, especially the fit ones.

So, thank you Cathy, I greatly appreciate the kind words and the local support But don’t stop reading at book three, there are two more to enjoy before the story is complete. Claire and Honey send their regards, and yes, stop by and say hi to whomever is within sight. Both Claire and Honey enjoy the occasional peppermint candy.

Now you fine, five readers have followed along as I drone on about what a mystical place Casa Claire is.

But the truth is that you can actually feel it just by passing it.

Sure, it naturally catches the eye with Gnome Island and the Whirligigs and Jack The Spruce protectively towering over the house.

Anyone that has come onto the property will tell you that they feel energized from the experience. Even the delivery people tend to linger a bit longer, and will always stop for a quick chat, and we’ve never lost a package to a porch pirate. And a warning to anyone looking to test that, the spirits around my stone dragons are very unforgiving.

Just sitting on the front porch or in the chairs tucked away in the Jack The Spruce Grotto, listening to the chimes even when there is no wind blowing them, will put you at ease. If you are alone, you can hear the pixies, elves and fairies, hiding among the branches and shrubs, whispering bits of gossip about you. You’d be surprised what they know.

The gnomes, as the keepers of secrets, will never share the family lore.

Feral cats, foxes, birds, bees and butterflies love to hang in the Jack The Spruce Grotto. It is a safe space for all creatures who enter. A sanctuary.

And in the back, where Claire sleeps, there is its own kind of energy.

For that is where the ley lines meet. At just the right times, you can spot them surfacing, as in the following photo, because they are the first areas to dry after a rain or snow.

Indeed, the only time I am not half in a dream state here is when I’m outside doing manual chores. Maintaining the property and caring for those on it. In return, Casa Claire has allowed me to write about it and its star attraction, through channeling the energy it provides. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

For those who don’t visit my FB page, as part of my lead up to the April 16th release of Where The Ley Lines Meet, I’ve been posting short videos of me reading requested selections from the prior four books. If any one of my fine, five readers want to add their own request, just post me here, or drop it in the email here at Tom@thewisenovelist.com, with the book, the page number and the first and last few words from the selection so I can find it and record it. If you have caught any of the FB readings thus far, you will see that I am shameless, so choose whatever selection you like. Just be cognizant that FB seems to top out at around seven minutes when it comes to allowing my videos. So a couple of pages seems to be the limit.

But now I have to clear my creative head and get ready for another work day.

You fine, five readers have that extra cuppa and take solace in the fact that we have survived another Monday together. Tuesday awaits. Embrace it.

To all my Catholic/Christian brethren, an extra wish for the best this Holiest of Weeks. Peter Sheridan, make that two wishes.

To everyone, no matter what your preferences, let us honor our respective creator(s) and make today a great one.