Roadrunner and the coyote

Roadrunner on the wall - Courtesy of Joy

I had the best time in Arizona ... was able to relax and unwind for a weekend reconnecting with good friends, getting out of the cold Illinois winter, and watching coyotes and roadrunners - where the roadrunner was victorious yet again! Well, maybe the roadrunner hadn't beaten the coyote, but it was certainly in better shape than its cartoon adversary! 

As I did my "safe arrival" call with the big guy looking across to the mountains and the desert, I saw a coyote limping up the wash. Big, beautiful coyote, unlike the mangy, skinny ones we have in Illinois, but it was clearly injured. Further down the wash (okay, the desert down the wash was actually a golf course), I saw birds running. From the distance they looked like roadrunners. I was later to discover they were actually quail as they, too, moved up the wash that ran alongside the house. (The bird in the picture, courtesy of our host, IS actually a roadrunner.)

While away from everyday routines, I read another book that I enjoyed, which means I can do another books and cookies newsletter with a recommendation, and one of my friends loaned me another book to read that she recommended. 

I have a few appointments to clear this week which are interrupting my day and encroaching on writing time, but with a clearer head, I should be full speed ahead on the new book. 

We all need a break now and then. I was overdue, and now I'm ready to fight another day.