April in Oregon

Sometimes Facebook can present some interesting topics. One of those came a week or so ago. I got one of those posts where you are tagged.

In your status line, list 10 books that have stayed with you. Don’t take more than a few minutes. Don’t think too hard. They don’t have to be great works, or even your favorites. Just the ones that have touched you. Tag 10 friends including me, so I’ll see your list.
 For me, they are:
1. The Sun Also Rises-- Ernest Hemingway
2. Ahab’s Wife—Sena Jeta Naslund
3. Grapes of Wrath—John Steinbeck
4. The Island Within—Richard Nelson
5. The Art Spirit—Robert Henri
6. The River Why—David James Duncan
7. The Virginian—Owen Wister
8. Light of the Western Stars—Zane Grey
9. Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek—Annie Dillard
10. The Alchemist—Paulo Coelho

For me, the interesting part of the mix of books that came to me is how much they are all still influence not only on my life but my writing. Some of the ones who answered this had romances on their lists. I really don't but it's not because I haven't loved some romances through the years-- and some now too. It's because the energy, in my romances, comes from other influences. The underlying heart of them though will always be love.

Now for the photos of April in my part of Oregon. The first is a pioneer cemetery about eighteen miles from the farm. Lately a lot of orchards and vineyards are finding their way to this part of the Willamette Valley.

The rest of the photos are from the farm.