Heartbroken

Beau died the evening of November 18 while I held him.  He will be missed more than I can express.  I'm so far beyond sad there isn't a word for it.  I'll be back after I regroup.

About Beau

He was one day old when he stole my heart.  A little striped, speckled kitty, one of a litter of six.  Yes, one of the litter yet not.  I knew the first moment I saw him that he was different.  A very powerful magical creature in the guise of a tiny kitten.

I found homes for the others. Beau claimed me from the start. We went home, this wee one pound ball of fluff and it wasn’t long before he took over the house. The three older cats already in residence were quickly under his spell. Oh he lets them think they are dominant to him but that’s all part of his plan.

Beau is a storyteller. Always has been. He whispers to me, sometimes complete tales, sometimes snippets that I must then fill in the blanks. You’d think something so adorable wouldn’t be so wicked but trust me, he is. We are working on a book of Beau Tales that will astound you when he decides it’s ready for public viewing.

He’s been under the weather lately. Yeah, that’s an understatement. He stopped eating and hasn’t gotten back to it yet. I believe he will. When he is ready and not a moment sooner. My wonderful vet has done everything for him. Exploratory surgery, biopsies, supportive care. She sent him home because she thought he would be more comfortable there, which I’m sure he is.

The first two days he was back he stayed downstairs. I slept on the sofa to be near him. This morning, after we did his IV fluids he put himself to bed in his regular spot between the pillows, under the covers. He’s still not eating but I see this as a good thing, like he’s saying he’ll be sticking around. Part of me suspects he’s in collusion with the big cats. They’ve been getting all the leftovers of the foods I’ve been offering him, things they rarely get.

My little Beau kitty. Magical beyond belief. Clever as hell. Naughty as can be but cute enough to get away with anything. He’s one of a kind and I’m the luckiest person alive because he chose me. May we have many more years of shared adventures!

Beau the Brave

The Beau kitty hasn't been doing so well lately. Two weeks ago he stopped eating and was throwing up constantly. After visiting the vet and having plan A care at home not work he went back for plan B care there. Exploratory surgery and a week long stay hasn't solved anything. It did rule out a variety of things though which is good.


Friday they decided he'd be more comfortable at home. I now know how to give IV fluids and injections in a catheter. Tonight one of the amazing vet techs stopped by my house and unclogged his IV. I had no clue what to do when I couldn't get fluid started so I called and she came. Truly amazing individual and that's how much she cares about the critters entrusted to her.



Beau still needs to relearn to eat but he's a magical determined little kitty and I believe in him. Still, we'd appreciate you sending good vibes for him out into the universe.



More news to follow...

Just That Fast

I watched her die. Though there really wasn’t much of anything to see.

She came in, in front of me.  Chattering away.  Walking perfectly fine.  No distress.  No outward signs.

Half a minute later, thirty little seconds, she fell. Foaming. Unresponsive.

It seemed like forever until the paramedics arrived. Seven minutes after she’d come in from the porch. Seven. Five minutes from the time I’d called them. They assured us that she was gone by the time she hit the floor, that there was nothing anyone could have done for her.

Chatting one moment. Dead the next. Literally. Slipping quietly into whatever follows. Without anyone to say goodbye. I would have, had I known. I would have told her she was a joy, that she’ll be missed. But it was too late. She was gone…

At the End

He stood in the shadows, watching the hate flow between the humans. He’d been there for what they called a month. One after another, sometimes more than one a day, they picked each other off, spilling their blood into the ground. Senselessly. At first he thought there was a point to it. But no, there wasn’t. Not one he could determine anyway. They seemed to thrive on killing each other. 

He’d been there before. In fact, he was the one who’d suggested this little planet as a possible host to his kind. They were chameleons. Able to fit in anywhere. Anywhere peaceful. His brethren could never survive in the current atmosphere. The non-stop mindless violence would leech the goodness from their essence and they would perish in a slow and horrid manner. No, earth was no longer an option. They would have to find somewhere else to call home.

He turned, preparing to go, when he was noticed. The native yelled at him, calling him an old man, demanding to know what he was looking at. He spun about, pulling the weapon he swore never to use, not even in self-defense. Without the slightest pause to consider what he was about to do, he aimed it toward the voice and pushed the button, vaporizing the human instantly.

Nothing, he thought to himself. He was looking at nothing.

Great sadness filled his being. It was too late for him. Now that he’d done the unthinkable, he could never return to his society. He looked down at the weapon, still in his hand. It only took a few clicks to change the settings. It was their doing that his existence was over which meant theirs should be too. He pushed the button again. 

His crew, watching from space for his signal to begin transporting their people to their new home, suddenly saw… nothing.

© 2015 Barbara Huffert

Annoucement!

 It is with great sadness that I am removing the books I have published with Ellora’s Cave from my website.  I love those books!  When the first was accepted back in 2006 I was so happy.  I was extremely proud to become part of the Ellora’s Cave family of authors.

In the past year however, there has been some, let’s call it, unpleasantness occurring with the company.  No, I will not go into details here.  You can find more information by doing an internet search if you are that interested.  From my standpoint, and I speak for no one but myself, I no longer have any confidence in the longevity of the company.

I have requested the rights back on all my books.  Even the ones that don’t currently qualify.  Why?  Because when all the badness comes to a head, I want it on record within the company that I have done so.  I am stating this here, publicly for the same reason.

Hopefully, Ellora’s Cave management will do the right thing and return my books to me in a timely manner.  As soon as they do so I will work on finding a new home for my art and go back to sharing it with you.  In the meantime, I apologize to anyone who is interested in reading my stories. 

I am truly sorry Ellora’s Cave has made it nearly impossible to locate any of my work on their site.  And, just so you know, they haven’t sent me any royalties in months so please, even if you do manage to find my books, please don’t buy them.  It no longer seems as if your hard-earned money will find its way to me, the author who poured my heart and soul into creating those stories.

I do have four other books available from different publishers.  Stop by the Books page of my website for more information.

Thank you.

Ever Wonder?

All of life is research. I'm not sure if I consciously intend it to be or if that's just how it works out. Some of the most bizarre snippets in my books are absolute truths but I suspect no one would ever believe it.  "Which ones?" you ask.  I'll never tell!  Only the individuals directly involved will ever know what is truth and what is fiction with me.

So...

3:08 last Friday morning, I rolled over and the piece of wood the slats rest on self-destructed. Completely! My grandparents bought that bed when they got married in 1928. I guess 87 years isn't too shabby.

Yes, many bad words were said while I dismantled the rest of the bed and stashed it in another room. Once I got the hammer the cats decided attempting to "help" was not a good idea.

Only took 20 minutes to have everything rearranged but as you might guess there wasn't any more sleep to be had. And I discovered the most interesting bruises when I hopped in the shower. I'm not sure exactly how I managed it but the one on the inside of my leg has a line through it.  I guess that's where it hit although it really doesn't make much sense. As I said, the inside of my leg.

Three days later I've decided I really don't much like sleeping on the mattress on the floor even if it means my neighbor's dusk to dawn spotlight isn't shining directly in my face.  I know a carpenter.  I'll have to consult him about repairing the bed.  Perhaps he can fix it so it lasts another 87 years.

It's always something.

Take Heed

I hold worlds within my head

And all the happiness and sorrow of the universe within my heart

I am the purest love

The deepest rage

The keeper of essential knowledge

The scripter of histories

The creator of pleasures

Magick flows from my soul

Through my fingertips

Out to the masses

Weaving its way under your skin

Into your minds

Wrapping steadily around you

Through you until we become one

I am silent

Invisible

But I am a Goddess as old as the ages

My beauty is unseen yet unsurpassed

I walk among you

Touching you

Shaping you

Changing you ever so slightly with each pass

I am energy from before time began

Elemental power

I am a storyteller

And I am eternal

Available Today - Strings of My Heart

After spending most of her life being a nothing but a buddy, his best friend’s kid sister, Lauryn decides it’s long past time to show Dan that she’s pure woman. She thinks she’s found the perfect way—until absolutely everything goes wrong. Risking it all, she opens her heart and lets the music Dan inspires sing out. But is it enough to overcome the barriers that have always stood between them?

Click here for details.

I'm in a BuzzFeed!

Two of them actually.  Jarry Lee was roaming BEA last Friday and stopped by the Ellora's Cave booth with some questions.



Go here to see 26 Reasons Why You Need to Read More



And here for 9 Pieces of Advice for Writers

I Did It!

Book Expo America, signing for Ellora's Cave.  Ha!

Lookee

Who I'll be hanging out with on Friday at BEA!  Booth 2526 from 12:00-1:30.  Stop by and say hi!

Book Expo America

Anybody going next week?  I'll be at the Ellora's Cave booth (#2526) on Friday from 12:00-1:30.  I've never done a book signing before so please stop by and say hi!

Latest Project

A stroller blanket

Do You Remember...

Neeley?  The oldest of the little girls I've borrowed over the years?  She's been grown up for years.  Guess what she did today.  Come on, guess.  Give up?  I'll give you a hint.  Look at the ticket.

Yep, you got it.  Today, my sweet little Neeley Girl graduated from med school!  How awesome is that!  She's going to be an anesthesiologist.  Heading of

f for internship and residency at UPMC next week where she will live in her very own first home with her husband.  Definitely all grown up now!

I can't begin to express how proud I am of her.  She was a cool kid, a great young woman and now one of the most amazing individuals I know.  I always knew she would turn out spectacularly but I am still awed.  Dr. Neeley!  There is a huge grin on my face every time I think about that!

I am eternally grateful to her momma for sharing her babies with me.  I am honored to be included in there family.  One of these days I'll update you on what my other girls are doing, but today, it is Neeley's turn in the spotlight.

Released Today!

Karma, the fourth and final book in my Cosmic Connections series.  I love this book!  Go read it to see why.

Blurb ~

When a mix-up at the airport throws Jesse James and Jessie James together, he knows immediately she’s the one for him, but she’s not so sure. On the run from an abusive relationship, she’s terrified to trust this stranger who seems too good to be true.

He must find a way to prove she’s safe with him and to show her they’re destined to be together forever. She must find the courage to truly leave her past behind and open herself to love.

Author Page

With two books about to release I decided it's about time that I have an author page of Facebook.  Go here to see what I'm up to.

Intercepted

My dear friend Lois Kasznia has a new book out!

Intercepted

Blurb -
Single mother and successful business woman, Mel Chalmers and her six year old son, TJ, have moved up in the world to the house of their dreams in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, her new neighbor, recently divorced NFL linebacker, Luke Allen, turns out to be not very neighborly at all. Mel refuses to let it get her down, however TJ, who idolizes Luke, is very disappointed.

Normally, Luke is a really nice guy but things have been tough for him. Not only did his wife divorce him, he just lost his job as the starting linebacker in the NFL. He needs to find a job and other teams are interested in him but he doesn’t want to move. He starts to feel badly about the way he has treated TJ and Mel and goes about to correct it. When he learns he has his old job back, he wants to give Mel and TJ a chance of being a real family.

Mel is thrilled at first, but then she meets up with the wives and baby mamas of the players. She realizes that maybe she won’t fit in with their diva personalities and their Reality Housewives lifestyle. How can Luke convince her she’ll be fine in his world?

I know what I'm doing this weekend as soon as I turn in my book edits!

My Other New Pretty

Available from Resplendence Publishing June 10th

Look at my Pretty New Cover!

Beau Says...

Today is my birthday!  I am five.  Let the celebration begin!

Tis the Season...

Edits, Edits and More Edits

Lots to do.  I'll be back...

Happy Spring!

Yesterday there was this

Today it was like this

I think the weather is confused.

Tonight...

Daylight Savings Time begins. All my life my dad would call to remind me. Now, due to the nature of one of my jobs, it is up to me to remind people. I can't tell you how weird this is for me.

I'm Sad

I moved into my house nearly 27 years ago. That first spring I began chatting with a neighbor a few doors down. Doris would often sit on her steps, reading the paper, waiting for family or just getting some air. She was always very pleasant. And interesting to talk with. Up until a month ago she could be found most days having lunch (and sometimes dinner too) at the bar on the corner Yesterday, she passed away. Doris was full of kindness and wisdom and had a truly beautiful soul. I will miss her. Without her the whole tone of my block will change.It simply won't be the same without her presence.

I Know

You don't believe this but Spring really is on the way.  And once Spring arrives fresh veggie season won't be far behind.  Here's something you might want to keep in mind.

SO Over It!!!

The post office that is.  I have been fighting with them since the start of the year.  The mail delivery at work went from 10:00 to non-existent.  Not acceptable!

 

The new carriers explained that they had their start time pushed back, that routes were reset and written in blood and they would be struck down by lightning should they attempt to deviate in order for the business I work for to get the mail in a timely manner.

 

Naturally, I have been calling.  Every. Day.  Sometimes, they answer.  More often they do not.  I emailed.  Hahahaha!  You can imagine the response I got to that.  It was almost polite but translated to tough luck.

 

I have been waiting for a box containing supplies to arrive.  Today, a week late, I got one of those orange slips, dated yesterday, saying I could come pick up my package.  Otherwise it would be returned on 2/23/15.  Weird, I actually got the mail yesterday.  A lot.  A full tub plus other packages balanced on top.  But okay, off to the post office I went, armed with not only my slip but two more for others at the same location.  Why all of us go out in the cold, right?

 

Mistake!!! It was a disaster, to say the least.  At one point I was wondering who I might call to bail me out after they called to have me forcibly removed.  Yeah, it nearly came to that.

 

After searching twice the moderately unpleasant woman at the counter did manage to find one of the packages.  The others?  This is what I was told.

 

a. I already picked up the packages. (One had my name on it.  I am positive I did not go get it previously.)

b. Someone named Jeff Whatsit told them to send them back (He was not there to speak with) even though the slips I had in my hand stated they will be returned on 2/23/15 if not picked up before then.

c. The secretary at that address keeps refusing all packages.  (No, I AM the secretary and I definitely have not rejected any packages this entire year.)

d. They were with the carrier yesterday and we weren't here to receive them. (See above - I got a bin full of mail with all sorts of things, including other packages)

e. They will be delivered today. (Today's mail was already delivered, that's where I found the slips. Other packages, not the ones associated with the slips.)

f. Wait until tomorrow, maybe we'll get them then.  (Not holding my breath on that one.)

 

I suspect I am now banned from the post office.  Oh hell yes, I kept asking to speak to someone higher up.  Didn’t work.  I went from counter person to extremely hateful woman who shlumped out of the back when paged.  Nope, didn’t give her name.  Didn’t give a damn either.  She said in our location the mail should be dropped off between 5 and 6.  The fact that it is a business that closes by 5 did not interest her in the least.

 

Yep, I am SO over them.  And they wonder why people are seeking alternate shipping methods.  Sheesh.

I Have a Roku

Big deal, right?  I told you that months ago.  But you don’t get it.  I have a Roku!  Which means I can watch movies.  So?  So!  I can watch any movie that pops into my head, thanks to Amazon.  (Nope, don’t have Prime but renting the occasional movie is in my budget and yes, I am accepting gift cards toward getting Prime if you’d like to send one.)

Anyway, as I was saying, I have a Roku which is linked to Amazon video!  Today’s feature?  I should make you guess but I doubt you ever would.  So I’ll just tell you, shall I?  I shall!

Life Stinks.  Mel Brooks and Lesley Ann Warren.  Haven’t seen it in years and I love it!  It popped into my head yesterday but there was no time last night.  Today I have the rare afternoon off so here I am, a nice cup of Tiger Spice chai and my Roku all queued up, ready to go.  Ha!

If you’re not doing anything, go find it and we’ll watch it together.

Playing with Pics

Beau

Kya