Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

A few weeks ago when my son and daughter-in-law were visiting we did a fun walk through the Seattle Arboretum, starting with a loop over Marsh Island (note to self: get a kayak and go play around there!). We were more about enjoying the day than looking at the labels, but had a good time and I got a few good photos. Lily pads near Marsh Island   Bald eagle watching the water--and the hikers. Our trail passed under the 520 freeway, which made for some interesting photo ops. Between the lanes Support, with water reflections on the upper beams.   We turned up into the main arboretum, and soon stumbled on an amazing work of art by John Grade.   The photo doesn't do justice to the blue! John Grade's installation is titled "Union," and is made up of 6300 cast-resin pieces. His statement about the work: “The sculpture was inspired by a fallen western red cedar in Seattle’s Discovery Park. The top of the trunk of the fallen tree was divided into two slender leaders. Broken ...

It's the first Wednesday of the month, and that means IWSG day! Purpose:   To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting:   The first Wednesday of every month is officially   Insecure Writer’s Support Group   day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!   Don't forget you can post your link on the IWSG Facebook page .    Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG   The awesome co-hosts for...

I'm excited to share that Jemima Pett is releasing a new book in the  Viridian System  series August 12! As a beta reader and critique partner, I can promise it's a good one.       The Viridian System series #viridianseries It started with a chase around the alpha quadrant, looking for pieces of orichalcum to make up The Perihelix . First the Federation kidnapped Pete and Lars, then the Imperium kidnapped Lars, and all that left the girls in their spaceship working out how to get home safely. Or not… Two more books followed – Pete following his destiny to rescue his race on the planet Corsair, but diverted by a wormhole accident to the other side of the galaxy. Four travellers with no apparent way of returning to civilisation – definitely Curved Space to Corsair . Then there was a galactic disaster – all the orichalcum communications failed. Nobody could contact anyone off planet, or steer their spaceships to a new destination. But how do the...

I wrote this one in 2020, but it seems pretty danged relevant to the current circumstances. Right about then I wrote several flash fiction pieces that seem to relate to the current political situation. Some are more relevant than readable, but I think this one at least comes close to being both. Things Fall Apart "Things fall apart; the center does not hold."   Was it better when everything stayed in its place, and the magnetic pull of the god kept everyone in tight orbit around their station? My grandfather says it was, but I think Grandmother is less certain. Maybe that’s because she says that her place used to be a bit cramped and uncomfortable. I used to think she meant she had to live in a little box. Now that I understand metaphors, I think that her box is only a little bigger.   Grandfather says there didn’t used to be violence and fighting, because everyone knew his place and was content. But I have learned how to get into the records, and I...

A few weeks ago, while weather in Seattle was waxing hot and hotter, I nabbed my backpacking pal Zeke and headed to the WA coast to hike the Ozette Triangle, with extras. It's peak season for backpacking, but by going midweek we were able to nab a permit for a nearly empty camping area at the mouth of the Ozette River (adding about 5 miles to make a two-day trip of just under 14 miles. I started early from my home in Seattle, choosing to drive around via Tacoma rather than take the ferry across the Sound (total time isn't much different, and the gaps between ferries were inconvenient).  Zeke brought Second Breakfast (some tasty home-made "egg mcmuffins" with bacon, a total treat for me), and we were ready to hike by half past 11.  Crossing the Ozette River where it leaves Ozette Lake. The river meanders a lot to cover less than 2 linear miles and drop about 150' to the ocean. Our trail cut a (comparatively) straight line through the forest instead, though I think ...