And the first pumpkin ale is...

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, from Delaware (not MD, as I misreported last time.)

This was one of the ones I would consider over-spiced. The nutmeg and allspice were overpowering, and the alcohol content was high. Not the smoothest or pumpkin-est.

Aside from that taste test, we had a quiet weekend with beautiful weather. Made sure to get some A.O.D. time with a book and a guitar. (Ass On Deck - our new deck that was built this summer - want to ensure I do more than just cook on the grill out there!)

Laughing out loud (really)

But it's not even September

Yeah. I was supposed to keep this blog about my writing, but...

I was at the liquor store yesterday. I was grabbing some beer for our summer cookout. (For those who live in a state where beer is at the supermarket and liquor is a separate store, that's not how it is in Massachusetts.)

The Pumpkin Ales are out already. There were at least five different microbreweries with Pumpkin Ale on the shelf.

I enjoy Pumpkin Ale. I love autumn when Dunkin Donuts carries pumpkin muffins and pumpkin donuts.

But, come on, summer ain't over yet!

I like most Pumpkin Ales but it is a seasonal special and usually has spices and some brands overdo it. I think I'll note which ones I prefer this time around. I just wish I could buy one of each instead of a six-pack each to find out. And for those who say a six-pack shouldn't be an obstacle--well--spiced ales really aren't for bludgeoning brain cells en masse.

Yeah, I'm a beer snob.

Into the Ages?

I had much fun reading Captain Alatriste and listening to two Sharpe audiobooks this year.

I wonder if I should try writing a straight historical action adventure novel. No supernatural, no sci-fi - just some hard hitting warfare at some point in human history.

Slushing

I've joined the slush readers over at Rogue Blades Entertainment. Seeing as how I haven't been writing much, maybe I can do something from the other side of things.

I was reminded of all the used book hunting I have done (and continue to do) searching for 'heroic fantasy' and lamenting that new stuff wasn't coming out (with very few exceptions.)

I wanted more, more, more Bran Mak Morn, Solomon Kane and Cormac Mac Art (Andy Ouffutt's CMA series notwithstanding) and I still want more.

Maybe RBE can address that hankerin' jones.

Added LibraryThing

Yeah, I know that's obvious if you're here, but if you're reading a feed, you won't see it unless you click over to here.

Quiet

Yeah, I know. Dull blog, eh?

Well, there's been nothing on the writing front and need to get-on-the-wagon, get-off-my-ass, favorite-expression-for-getting-out-of-a-lazy-funk.

I'm a bit tired of short stuff but I don't have the impetus to write a novel yet. I have some ideas - but who doesn't?

I think I'm also at a storyteller/writer crossroads. I can write, but can I engage readers with stories?

Don't mind me - I'll snap out of it eventually.