TASTING THE WIND is AVAILABLE NOW!

Yes, it’s finally available in Kindle format.  You can get it by clicking HERE or by going to my new and improved web site:  http://www.suealehman.com and then following the link there.  You can also read more about the Whitehead Controversy on my website under “What’s New?”. 

I have been researching and writing this story for over three years and am delighted to finally have it out and available in e-book form.  I am now going to get it ready for actual PRINT as well, under my new publishing site, Keyslip Press (keyslippress.com).  It is a different problem with formatting than for e-books, so I need to experience that learning curve. 

Here are a few historic photos of the original Whitehead planes that might spark your interest:      

PUPPIES—MORE FUN THAN TV!

Yesterday Gypsy Girl came up lame—she may have stepped in one of the many holes in our yard.  To keep her from running with the injury, we put her in time-out on a short chain.

Zelda was so good at keeping her company and brought over a bully stick to chew on…that Gypsy promptly stole when Zelda left it to get a drink of water.  Even though Gypsy growled at her when she tried to get it back, Zelda stayed close by her buddy… What a pal! She just had some trouble staying up on the cushion, but was just content to be close to Gypsy Girl! HA!

Puppies and Chickens don’t mix

What a week this has been.  Zelda, our new (?) pup visibly grows before our eyes and Gypsy seems astounded that this once-small pup is becoming a monster-dog.  However, Zelda’s mild personality is a welcome change from hyper-Gypsy. (With Caruso watching over them!)  They both thoroughly enjoy all the chew-treats I’ve been getting for the pup—i.e. pigs ears and bully sticks, but I’m beginning to think we should own stock in those companies with all we are buying.

Here are two pics—one from the time we first brought Zelda home (at 2 mos.) and a more current shot (about 3 mos.):   

As you can see, Zelda is outgrowing being a lap-puppy, even though she is still so incredibly soft!

Early last week, Gypsy had a too-close encounter with our girls (chickens) and, unfortunately, I found Fluffy (the beautiful Orpington) in a mass of feathers on our back porch.  Several of the other girls are nursing injuries, but the 5 of them seem to be coming back from the tragedy.  Needless to say, the yard is shut up tight and Gypsy is no longer invited in—ever.  Believe it or not, we actually got a couple of eggs again yesterday!  So, they’re on the mend!  Spot is one of the lucky ones.

There’s nothing like a growing puppy!

Just look at the size of those feet!  Can you tell which set is the pup and which is the adult? Zelda is really growing these days.  When we picked her up (at 8 weeks old), she weighed 12lbs.  Today she weighed in at 27lbs! 

As you can tell by the size of her sturdy legs and feet, she promises to be a larger dog than Gypsy is now.  We figured Gypsy was about a year old when we got her and we just got notice that she is due for her yearly Rabies shot, so we’ve had her a year (that makes her two). 

Zelda adores Gypsy and follows her around the best that she can.  Gypsy is fast and can out run and out maneuver Zelda, but the pup still seems to wear her down.  Sometimes Gypsy will hide from the pup, just to get a few minutes of rest.  Both cats seem to tolerate Zelda well, even though the pup is constantly kissing both cats.  Caruso will sink his teeth into the pup to stop her, but Kit-Kit just out jumps and out runs the pup. 

All in all, Zelda has a sweet disposition and is very devoted to her people.  She doesn’t shy away from Gypsy or us, but will around strangers (at least, at first).  She is indeed quite adorable!

ZELDA—The legend continues!

This is our new Puppy:  ZELDA!  She is just 8 weeks old and going through the housebreaking stage.  Our other dog, GYPSY GIRL, is also going through a training stage to qualify as an official babysitter (that’s basically ON A LEASH around the new puppy, as she is too rambunctious for the little one now).  ZELDA is a Malamute/Australian Shepherd mix and by the size of her feet, going to be a big dog. She already weighs 12 pounds.  She has one adorable bright blue eye and one warm brown eye (they go well with Gypsy’s half-moon blue-brown eyes!). I was amazed that little ZELDA can actually pick up that tennis ball in her mouth, even at this young age! She promises to be a ball retriever when she gets bigger.  ZELDA is a snuggler too. She really loves her people and follows us around as much as possible (when she’s not following her mentor, Gypsy).  I can’t wait for her to get big enough to take walks with her and start on obedience training.  Because she had her surgery (spade) the day before we picked her up, so she is in “a less excitable stage—calm and quiet.”  Riiigghhtt!  That’s impossible for a puppy, isn’t it!?

Look for more photos and constant updates on her progress on FB and Google+!

Fun with Sean!

Steve, Max and I had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with our son, Sean, who lives down in Ridgecrest (at the edge of China Lake), CA. Sean works as a Legalman in the Navy and is currently stationed there.

While there, we went golfing, played tennis and visited an unusual museum. The guys were more excited about this place than I, but I enjoyed the various emblems and documentation and presentations of these weapons. I especially liked this relief map of the entire China Lake area. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the entire map in the picture, but the only part left out were the various mountainous ranges to the east of the main area (which is marked in red).  We saw an interesting short film which takes a tour in a helicopter over the massive space.  The museum also housed some interesting history that most of you will  remember well: 

Sean was most eager to show off his latest surprise (he’s been thinking about getting one for quite some time):    The Navy is specific about where you can display tattoos…they can’t be visible with a uniform on.  This design was created to his specifications and done by a friend of his—  He’s really into squids these days…

While there, we visited a “ghost town” and when I saw this band outside of the general store, couldn’t resist a few pics:     

All in all, it was a wonderful experience and we enjoyed spending time with Sean (isn’t he handsome in his uniform??!!!)! 

2011 Pumpkin Carving Party

Our annual Pumpkin Carving Party was a great success again!  Although the crowd was small, it was fun to gather together again with pumpkins and great food and conversation.  The kids that attend get bigger and older, but still enjoy the thrill of carving, not to mention the trampoline and pool table.      Gypsy Girl had to be tied out to prevent her from jumping all over folks and stealing their food.  She was an angel the entire afternoon, just laying there and watching.  She didn’t whine or tug on the lead once.  But when we finally let her off, later in the day, she immediately stole a piece of pumpkin pie off of one of the kid’s plates (that he had just put down on the chair for a second!). 

The pumpkins were very scary this year, as the kids age.  There was some unusually violent ones, a few traditional faces, and a couple of downright STRANGE ones.  What imaginations!  No one used any patterns this year, just their brains!  I downloaded a bunch of unusual ideas on a sheet for viewing, then let them at it.  Even Steve carved one. Max’s was one of the more violent ones, complete with a knife he had made a few years ago. 

All in all the weather was super, in the 70’s with little wind.  Lots of sun kept all jackets off and everyone seemed comfortable. Hope you all have a happy, safe Halloween evening—oh, and don’t forget to watch a scary movie or two—my favorite being “Hocus Pocus!”