Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick, most often known for his book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, once said, "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

I saw my neighbor, who was walking home from the coffee shop, with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in his hand.  He told me that Philip K. Dick is buried in Ft. Morgan, CO next to Dick's twin sister, Jane, who died when 6 weeks old. The phantom twin is a recurring motif in some of his books.

This is some kind of contraption I found along a riverbank near Ft. Morgan.

The Last Days of Winter

We are cruising through the last days of winter. It gives me a wonderful boost to know that the ice and snow are almost behind us. Not that spring snowstorms are any pleasure, except to look at. Still, flowers are blooming already (too early!) and the horse is shedding his old coat, fields are greening up with sweet, new grass.

Such long time since I've written any fiction. Nothing to do with the picture, except I like this blue hen. I think she has such a hopeful expression. I thought of a new scene for the book I haven't worked on since last fall, but thinking about it isn't going to count.

I try to transition into winter as gracefully as my old bones will allow, but winter is when most bad things happen- at least in my family. Oh, I have all the rational excuses about my burgeoning superstition. I hate to waste summer days on doctor visits so I cram all the torture into the winter months, thus more serious diagnoses in the winter. Et cetera and so it goes.

This Friday is when the spring equinox occurs. 4:45 PM. The sun will be shining on the celestial equator, traveling from south to north. Another winter passes into the records book.