this I feel therefore this I know

Woke up this morning with the faint trickle of cool, damp air streaming in though the open window, touching my skin. Suddenly I was many places at once - Cape Cod, Vermont, New Jersey most strongly - but all the same time, that early summer morning before the sun takes effect, when mist rises from the still surface of lakes and the hush of the air is broken only by the occasional bird or the crunch of someone walking outside, and the taste of a protein bar and coffee waiting before the day begins....

Never underestimate texture. It's far more powerful than sight.

a small but heartfelt rant

An old friend of mine, who happens to be a minister, posted the following link to her facebook page:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/pope-francis-good-atheists_n_3320757.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

"Pope Francis Says Atheists Who Do Good Are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics"

Pope Francis rocked some religious and atheist minds today when he declared that everyone was redeemed through Jesus, including atheists.

My friend, who is a genuinely good person, was pleased by this, as though it was a good thing.  And yeah, compared to "all who are not devout Catholic are going to hell" I guess it is.  Anything that cuts down on the justifications for abuse is a good thing.  Far better behavior than his unlamented-by-many predecessor.

However...

Like the Mormons posthumously "baptizing" Jews and claiming them for their heaven, this strikes me as vaguely offensive chutzpah.  He's saying "it doesn't matter what YOU believe, we're going to co-opt you anyway through OUR belief."  And I'm not sure how that's supposed to make us feel better about our relations with the Church.

Dude.  Try asking.  If we want to convert, we will.  if we don't, we've got our exit plan worked out already, thanks.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE ebook now available in the UK!

http://www.lauraannegilman.net/tricks-of-the-trade-ebook-now-available-in-the-uk/

After a delay that was making me twitch (and no, I don't know why there was a delay), TRICKS OF THE TRADE (Paranormal Scene Investigations #3) is available digitally in the UK!

Book 4, DRAGON JUSTICE, will be available 1 June.

*throws confetti*

(and while you're there, check out the short fiction of DON'T READ THIS BOOK and DRAGON VIRUS!)

Thanks to  reader Catherine Sharp for the news!