update #5 - July 2025

 I finally finished chapter 29, and have made a tentative start on chapter 30, slowed down by some not very successful research and a need to take a break in this week's milder weather. Since I couldn't find exact information on the location on the physical source of the Boyne, I will make some assumptions and go on from there. I tried to find it on one of my trips, but it's apparently on private land and inaccessible to wandering tourists. Topo maps only help so much.

After last weekend's upper 90s, the mid to lower 80s of the last few days are a welcome break. It did take a couple of days to get the house cooled down, and it won't last, but it's wonderful right now. The beans are doing great and setting beans, most of the tomatoes (but not all) are doing well, and the basil is happy. With August starting tomorrow, we're at the end of the Celtic summer, but not alas the Colorado one. 

 

Update #4 - July 2025

 Chapter 29 is about half done, partly through using descriptions of places earlier in the book. Gwernin et al have arrived at Bru na Boinne, and there is about to be excitement. The weather is cooler today, so I can probably finish most of the chapter -- I've had the central part of it in my mind long enough, after all!

We badly need some rain, but the beans, tomatoes, etc are doing well. I've been running a sprinkler in the back in the evening some days, but at least such grass as is left in the front isn't growing and therefore doesn't need to be mowed. Lots of birds in the back most of the time -- yesterday the 4 flickers and sometimes 5 or 6 bluejays were here at once. The flicker family is out there now going to it on the suet cake!
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Update #3 - July 2025

 Finally finished chapter 28 ("A Triple Death"), and made at least a start on chapter 29 (tentatively titled "A Last Fence"). This takes Gwernin et al back to Bru na Boinne, where some exciting things are set to happen. After that, one more chapter ("The Well of Wisdom") before Gwernin and Ianto go home. Slightly cooler weather helps since I had to write two praise songs for Taliesin and Fraechan to sing in a competition at the Tailtiu Oenach, which took some concentration.

Gardening is going well, despite Japanese beetles on some of the bean leaves. At least slug damage is now minimal. The tomatoes are mostly setting heavily, so I should have ripe ones before long. And one zucchini plant finally set a zucchini! The fact that we're not getting much rain at least means I don't have to mow, although there is always more yard work.

 

Update #2 - July 2025

Still haven't finished chapter 28 because I decided I need one more scene, and the weather has been too hot for my brain to function properly. Clearly I won't finish the first draft of the book by the end of July, sigh.

Gardening is going OK, although now that slugs are less of a problem for the beans, the Japanese beetles have arrived. At least they don't go for the tomato plants to any great extent. All of them are setting tomatoes now, so a lot of them should be getting ripe by the end of the month. If I have an oversupply, I'll freeze some - it will probably still be too hot for canning.

Update #1 - July 2025

 I'm still grinding my way through chapter 28 - the hot weather hasn't helped. I've got most of it laid out but need to go through and edit it -  I had enough interruptions that it doesn't all flow well. I also need to set up something that comes in chapter 29, which takes Gwernin et al back to Bru na Boine. I'm hoping to get through chapter 30 (The Well of Wisdom) by Lughnasadh; then there's only Gwernin's homecoming in 31.

Pretty warm weather here - mid to upper 90s some days, but no thunderstorms or indeed other rain. As long as it's dry I don't have to mow in front, which is good because the sweet peas have taken over on the south side of the house. If I need to do anything, I can use the weed whacker.