Update #4 - June 2026

 I finally finished chapter 5 (The Druids' Island), which takes Gwion to Ynys Mon to watch a bardic initiation. The main reason this chapter took so long is because it is a sort of jigsaw puzzle using material from four of the Storyteller books. Linking the pieces together, editing them, and filling in between them took considerable work. The next chapter, when Gwion turns fourteen and becomes one of King Arthur's bards, should actually be easier because I have no pieces to fit together; it will just be straightforward writing! 

After a couple of delicious days of thunderstorms and rain, we are back with highs in the 90s again. Now we have to endure July. My tomatoes are flourishing, with lots of little green tomatoes now. Once they start getting ripe (usually by Lammas) I should have all I need for the rest of the summer. I have seen the first couple of morning glory blossoms, the scarlet runner beans are blooming, and I was visited yesterday morning by three juvenile blue jays and their mother, all squawking loudly! It's summer.

Update #3 - June 2026

 The last few days, rather than proceeding with chapter 5, I've gone back to chapters 1 through 4 to do some editing. I'll get back to chapter 5 soon; it's almost done but needs editing. Then forward to chapter 6, which will have some new material. This should be interesting. It will be Gwion's coming of age at 14 and becoming one of Arthur's bards.

Weather has been going up and down between warm and too hot. Still no rain, although it sprinkled for about 5 minutes today. Some of the tomatoes are setting, but most are still just blooming. However, most of them are growing like crazy.

Update #2 - June 2026

 Still working on chapter 5 bit by bit. I hope to get it finished, more or less, this week. This book will take as long as it takes.

The weather is jumping back and forth from cool to warm to hot and back again. I have to water things daily. The tomatoes are flourishing, with some setting tomatoes; the cherry type called Sakura has about a dozen already. The marigolds and basil are also doing well. I still need to move most of the geraniums out of the garage; maybe Tuesday morning as I have a vet appointment for Mulberry tomorrow. It's definitely summer weather, but still very dry. No lawn mowing anyway.

Update #1 - June 2026

 Once more, only a little slow progress on chapter 5, once more folding in bits from Neirin's Dark Path in The Ash Spear. Slow progress is better than none at all. The latter part of the chapter will include a story Taliesin told Gwernin in The Well of Wisdom.

Hot weather the last couple of days - 90s. I don't care for July weather in early June, but next week should be a bit cooler. The tomato plants are blooming, and most of the beans have sprouted. Tomorrow should be cooler, and I can pot up the basil plants and the last of the marigolds, then start the geranium migration to the cold frame.

A little wildlife excitement earlier in the week - on two early mornings, Ruay caught two small half-grown rabbits. They didn't seem to be hurt, so I relocated them to other yards. May they be well!

Update #5 - May 2026

 Again, only a little progress on chapter 5. I need to concentrate on writing more. I've collected most of the pieces for this chapter, just need to keep putting them together.

Gardening has been more successful than writing this last week; mowed the back yard and planted one more tomato, also marigolds. We had a good thunderstorm a couple of nights ago with almost an inch of rain, which was good. I'll need to mow the front yard again sometime next week. Most of the tomato plants are blooming. Highs in the 70s and 80s; definitely summer now.

Update #4 - May 2026

 Again, only a little writing, but a few hundred words for the start of chapter 5, and I know more or less where it's going - Ynys Mon, and the dark path (though not for Gwion yet). 

Planted tomatoes this morning now that I think we're through with frost. Eight plants I bought at the farmers' market over the last couple of weeks - 3 Romas, 2 sweet 100s, a Brandywine, a cherry type, and a Cherokee purple. I might get one more of some kind Sunday as I have one more available pot. I still need to plant the marigolds I bought, and perhaps get some basil. Next week I'll mow the back yard, and start the geranium migration into the now-empty cold frame. 

Update #3 - May 2026

 Not much progress on chapter 5 in the last week, although I am continuing to read the Storyteller books and extract pertinent episodes. I have had too many other balls in the air, which sometimes results in making no progress on any of them.

An interesting wildlife occurrence this morning - I had just gone out to water some plants when I heard a squealing noise and looked around to see Ruay coming back from the front yard with something in his mouth. I told him to drop it, and when he eventually did, it turned out to be a small rabbit about the size of my fist. The bunny immediately tried to escape, and Ruay and I pursued it until I caught it. It didn't seem to be hurt, but my problem then was where to put it that Ruay wouldn't find it again. I went up and down the alley, and was finally looking at a nice green fenced yard at a suitable distance from my house when the householder came out to put some trash out. She said they often had rabbits in their yard, so I put it in there and it hopped away. Hopefully it will find some rabbit friends there.

In gardening news, I bought 6 tomato plants at last Sunday's farmers' market, but haven't planted them yet, partly because it's been pretty warm this week (80s) and partly because we have some colder, wetter weather coming soon, with a currently forecast low Monday night in the 30s. Tomatoes are sitting in my old cold frame acclimating and look happy.

Update #2 - May 2026

 I finished chapter 4 ("Arthur's Crown"), which didn't take too much work because most of it was a story lifted from Storyteller. I'm working on chapter 5 now ("The Druids' Island") which takes Gwion et al to Ynys Mon with a young bard who wants to walk the Dark Path. Taliesin told Gwernin that story briefly in The Well of Wisdom, but I'll be adding a lot of background material. Gwion is twelve at this point, so I'll have to allow for changes between this story and Gwernin's first visit to Ynys Mon almost thirty years later
in Storyteller.

The weather has been wild the last week. After a mild sunny weekend, we got rain and four or five inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday with a light frost Wednesday night. Yesterday we had a high in the upper 60s, and the next ten days are forecast to have highs in the 70s and 80s. Spring in Colorado. I'll be buying tomato plants this weekend.

Update #1 - May 2026

 Well, I finally finished tinkering with Chapter 3. Now I need to work on Chapter 4. Most of it will be Talhaearn's story about the search for gold for Arthur's crown, but I need to write a lead up to that story, followed by the actual crowning, which will be different from the version in Storyteller. I might get this put together in the next week.

The frost-damaged trees are trying to bud out again, but some of them will have to put in a lot of effort. We finally got some rain this week, which should help, and also means I need to mow parts of the yards real soon. One of our farmers' markets starts Sunday, and I'll be buying tomato plants soon, also preparing to plant beans. And the Swanson's hawks which nest in the big spruce next door are back - a couple of days ago when I was doing my early circuit of the back yard, I heard bird noises and looked up to see a blue jay chasing a much bigger hawk, which took refuge on the spruce. Summer may yet arrive.

Happy Beltane!

Update #4 - April 2026

 Chapter 3 is nearly finished at last, bar a couple of linking bits. I'm borrowing material from the  Storyteller books - Gwion's first harp lesson is much like Gwernin's, and a couple of his interactions with Emrys mirror Taliesin's later interactions with Gwernin. I've also added a story Gwernin tells in The Ash Spear after Taliesin teaches it to him, but here it is told by Talhaearn and Gwion learns it. Chapter 4 will include the search for gold for Arthur's crown as Talhaearn tells it to Gwernin, and Arthur's crowning. Then we launch into more new material, wrapped around stories Taliesin told Gwernin in The Old Gods Endure and The Well of Wisdom. Progress at last.

Last week's snow and overnight hard freeze - mid to low 20s, I think - was dreadful for some of the trees which were just leafing out. Some of the ash trees lost all of their young leaves, and the hackberries were also hard hit, as were the young buds on the oak tree. On the other hand, the silver maples are OK, and the elms didn't even seem to notice. Summer will have to reboot.

Update #3 - April 2026

 A little more tinkering with chapter 3, which I'll be working on today and tomorrow now that taxes and weekly errands are done. I've decided to put the "search for the gold for Arthur's crown" in chapter 4 along with a description of the crowning itself, although not exactly the one in Storyteller. Then I can move on to some new material.

After a few warm days, we are now expecting/hoping for some snow today, followed by a couple of frosty nights. My two rosemary plants, which had been outside enjoying the warm sunshine, are now back in the garage with the flourishing geraniums. Most of the trees are either leafed out or budding - the oak tree is always the last - so I hope the snow won't be too heavy, much as we need the moisture. Spring is not over yet!

Update #2 - April 2026

 A little more progress on chapter three, tweaking the first bits and adding things which have occurred to me. However, I'll also be removing the bits where I was planning to insert Talhaearn's and Emrys' search for the gold for Arthur's crown, so I'll have probably a lower word count than I did a week ago. That's writing.

Spring is progressing slowly, with some of the trees leafed out quite a bit while others are still thinking. Only a trace of morning frost earlier in the week. I've brought my two rosemary plants out of the garage; we might get a bit of light frost this time next week, but they're tolerant. This is being an early spring, but still very dry. My normal frost-free date over the 29 years I've lived here has usually been mid-May.  Farmers' Market starts May 2nd, when I'll have to decide if it's too early for tomato plants!

Update #1 - April 2026

 Not much actual writing this week, but a good deal of thinking and planning. I had been trying to figure out how to use Talhaearn's story of the quest for the gold for Arthur's crown as he told it to Gwernin in Storyteller and Gwernin himself told it in The Old Gods Endure, but it just wouldn't fit. The first part of that tale is set at Samhain, the second part in the summer, and the third part at Samhain again after a summer spent building a magical boat on Ynys Mon. Gwion/Taliesin isn't mentioned in it, and when Gwernin tells the tale, Taliesin says Arthur was crowned exactly two years after Talhaearn and Emrys found him. So they must have been on their way back from the third part of their quest when this story begins. That story may fit somewhere later in this book, but only as something Talhaearn tells Gwion. So onward... Trying to make pieces fit from six previous books spanning fifteen years (and written over 30) is complicated.

More normal spring weather the last couple of days after a rather warm weekend. Most of the trees are leafing out; we finally got a little rain last night, followed by light frost this morning. And one of my daffodils which haven't bloomed in years is blooming.  

 

Update #4 - March 2026

 Again, only a little progress. I meant to be writing today, but ended up mowing the grass instead. That took all of my energy. I'm still trying to figure out how to use Talhaearn's stories to Gwernin in Storyteller about how he and Emrys gathered the gold for Arthur's crown. 

Spring is here - some of the trees are leafing out already, the grape hyacinths are blooming, and one early violet. And one daffodil, from several which don't usually bloom. The flickers seem to be courting as well. I'm hoping for at least a little rain this coming week - Denver is now under drought restrictions. :( Well, if it stays dry I won't have to mow as much.

Recordings...

 13 years ago when I was starting in ADF, I did some recorded performances for the Bardic study program. Here's a link to one: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5ml3r5biplgfz0i3bp9jp/mac-criomthann-birds.MPG?rlkey=gtkhquedijwuzugg1qxkb50mr&dl=0

Update #3 - March 2026

 A little slow progress again - partly due to trying to figure out how things Talhaearn told Gwernin in Storyteller should fit into this story. I may need to add another chapter.

Spring weather has arrived with a vengeance - it was almost 90 degrees F yesterday, far too early. At least I'm saving money on heating; on the other hand I've started having to water things in the garden. A week ago I got 3+ inches of snow, which helped a bit. Who knows what April will be like; frost-free date here is usually mid May.

Update #2 - March 2026

 Again, not much progress in the last week, partly because I was organizing and then running Chokecherry's annual Divination event yesterday. Next weekend we will celebrate the Spring Equinox, but until then I should have a few days to try and get going again. There are two references to Caerwent Roman Town sitting at my elbow and reminding me.

We're having the usual on-again, off-again spring weather. I had a few more crocus blossoms, and the grape hyacinths are starting to bloom. Last week's snow melted, and yesterday was 74 degrees F. Today's high was 32 with 3-4 inches of snow - spring in Colorado! 

Update #1 - March 2026

 Only a little progress on chapter 3. I've been mostly looking at things in the Storyteller books and considering what needs to be in this chapter, and whether I need to add another one after it; also a little more research
. Slowly, slowly...

We had snow all day Friday - I got at least 4 inches, maybe 5, although I didn't wade out and measure it. A lot of it melted initially, and the walks were mostly self-shoveling. We really needed the moisture. A lot of it has melted already. It looked more like normal March weather for a while.

Update #4 - February 2026

 It took three months, but I've finally finished chapter 2 and have a beginning of chapter 3. I'm hoping things will go faster now - cross your fingers! 

We seem to be having an early spring, although a dry one. The lilac crocuses which I planted under an apple tree about 20 years ago are blooming enthusiastically, a couple more recent purple ones have appeared, and the ones I had indoors winter before last are sprouting in their outdoors pot. I'm hoping there will be more soon.

Update #3 - February 2026

 Still in chapter 2, sigh, although the end is in sight. Gwion has got as far as Caerleon, where he's about to explore the ruins that Gwernin saw in the first chapter of Storyteller. After that they'll go on to Talhaearn's home in Caerwent, and I can start chapter 3.

The weather goes up and down - a couple of mild days, a couple of much colder ones. We got a sprinkle of snow yesterday after highs in the 60s a couple of days before. Two crocuses had decided to bloom on the milder days and got frozen for their audacity, but hopefully they'll try again soon. I'm getting tired of winter.

Update #2 - February 2026

 Another slow week with a little more progress on chapter 2. I wanted Talhaearn to tell a story, and ended up using the first part of the First Branch of the Mabinogi. Now I have to fill out some more travel details, and explain why Caerleon was in ruins. Then I may do a little more fast-forwarding in the next chapter.

More mild dry weather -- highs in the 50s most days, lows in the 20s. I would not be eager to shovel snow, but we badly need some moisture.

Update #1 - February 2026

 Finally got a little writing done yesterday. I'm still working on chapter 2, sigh. I hope to make more progress this week.

Surprisingly mild weather, with some highs in the 60s. No complaints there, but we still need rain or snow.

Update #5 - January 2026

 A little writing progress yesterday on Chapter 2, mostly map work and borrowing place descriptions from earlier books.  I was going to run errands today, but have decided to keep writing instead. I think / hope that once I get out of this chapter, things will go a little faster.

After last weekend's three-day deepfreeze, the weather has returned to normal - not warm, but 40ish highs most days, and no single digit lows. Last weekend's 2-3 inches of snow has also mostly melted. We'll probably be able to celebrate Imbolc outdoors tomorrow.

Update #4 - January 2026

 Again, not much writing over the last week, but a certain amount of thinking and reading earlier stories. My current problem is in regard to where Arthur's court was at this point. Caerlion would have been reasonable, but at the beginning of Storyteller Gwernin describes it as being in ruins, to an extent which would not have happened in the 18 years since Arthur died, or even in the 35 years since Taliesin first saw it. I am currently thinking that Caerlion must have been largely abandoned for some reason, and Arthur must have had his chief court elsewhere, either at Caer Dydd or Caerwent. In the meantime, the three of them will follow one of the major Roman roads, part of which we saw near the end of The Old Gods Endure, on their way to whichever place I decide on.

Another cold day here, but at least the temperature is supposed to get above freezing tomorrow after three days below. We've had a little snow from time to time, with possibly another inch or two tonight. At least we weren't affected by the big storm back east called Fern - which amusingly is the Irish equivalent of Gwernin!

Update #3 - January 2026

 Finally, a small amount of writing yesterday. It's a start. At least I think I know where the rest of chapter 2 is going.

Milder weather earlier in the week, colder again today. Last week's snow has finally melted, though it took a while. We might get a little more Monday, but I'm not counting on it. Ruay stays in a lot when it's this cold (16 F this morning). He's a desert cat.

Update #2 - January 2026

 Sigh. Once again, not much progress. I've got to stop browsing the web so much and get on with this book.

Got about 3.5 inches of snow last night. This lot will now be leaving very fast, as it's going to be pretty cold the next couple of days. Lots of birds and squirrels this morning, including a flicker earlier who was busy eating the suet crumbs a squirrel was dropping from the feeder.

Update #1 - January 2026

 No writing the last few days, but that is about to change. If I'm going to finish the Taliesin book this year, I've got to get going!

Hope everyone had good holidays. Cloudy here today but not very cold. We need more snow, and more sunshine in between. :)