Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

Title: Tigers of the Snow: How One Fateful Climb Made the Sherpas Mountaineering Legends Author: Jonathan Neale Publication Info: Thomas Dunne Books, 2002. 320 pages Source: Kamzang Journeys trekking library! Publisher’s Blurb: In 1922 Himalayan climbers were British gentlemen, and their Sherpa and Tibetan porters were "coolies," unskilled and inexperienced casual laborers. By 1953 Sherpa Tenzing Norgay stood on the summit of Everest, and the coolies had become the "Tigers of the Snow." Jonathan Neale's absorbing new book is both a compelling history of the oft-forgotten heroes of mountaineering and a gripping account of the expedition that transformed the Sherpas into climbing legends. In 1934 a German-led team set off to climb the Himalayan peak of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain on earth. After a disastrous assault in 1895, no attempt had been made to conquer the mountain for thirty-nine years. The new Nazi government was determined to pro

This December challenge wraps up the year of artistic inspiration from some great works of art. The WEP is open to all, following the simple rules: 1. SUBMIT your name to the list below on December 1 thru the 15th . Add your link (URL) 2. POST your entry, put WEP is in the TITLE along with The Narcissus badge within your entry. 3. STATE feedback preferences and word count at the end of your entry. 4. READ other entries, giving feedback if requested. 5. SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog. PLEASE NOTE: ENTRIES CLOSE Dec. 15th @ midnight (NY Time - check WEP blog clock) ALL GENRES WELCOME except erotica - 1,000 words maximum My story for this month's challenge is maybe cheating a little--I didn't write it for the challenge, but I decided that the common understanding of Narcissus and narcissism fits well enough, even if the story doesn't relate to the painting. I wrote this while trekking in Nepal last month, highlighting a character w

Nothing like getting home... and tackling the photo edits right off. Since everyone expects a show at Xmas, I can't procrastinate. That means I can start sharing photos here. I've finished edits on the Kathmandu section of the trip, and managed to select almost a reasonable number of pictures to share here. There's no coherent narrative here--I'm just trying to capture some of the feel of the city. Many thanks to Kim Bannister and Kamzang Journeys for enabling all of this!   Approaching Kathmandu by air. Not the mountains, but definitely the hills.     We arrived at the start of Tihar, the Nepali celebration of Diwali. Hanging garlands of bright orange marigolds on everything is an important part of the celebration (we even saw them on the necks of street dogs). Another part of the celebration is lights--everywhere, for a night or two. Climbing the stairs to the Swayambunath stupa. ... Also known as the Monkey Temple.   The stupa is on a hill, so offers some sense of t

It should come as a surprise to no one, least of all me, that having just returned from a month of travel on the opposite side of the world, I'm not exactly back leaping into my writing routine. So why am I so surprised? Slow learner, I guess. Let's see: I got home Saturday afternoon. I spent Saturday and Sunday taking care of all the laundry and gear cleaning needed (boy, that trekker laundry was ripe! When a sniffer dog at the airport checked out my duffel, I was afraid it would drop dead on the spot). And napping. Monday I managed to get started on photo editing, with a nap thrown in. Tuesday was the day: I showed up for my writers' accountability at 9, set my goal, noted I had a dentist appointment, and took off. And... I achieved my goal! Okay, the goal was to print out the draft of my new novel, so I can start thinking about editing it. Still--I got it done, and it really did take all the extra time I had either side of the dentist, since I also had to go scrounging f

Home, happy, and exhausted (and so jet-lagged it took me 3 days to get this post up)! With a few sneak-preview photos for you all who have continued to follow the blog during my absence. The Himalayas: damned big mountains. I need a nap! Approaching the Everest Base Camp area. This was the only place we had bad weather. Himalayan sunset. Crossing the Ngozumba Glacier to Gokyo. The summit of Gokyo Ri (17,580’) with Everest and Nuptse behind me. And that’s it until I get some photo editing done! All text and photos  ©️ Rebecca M. Douglass, unless otherwise indicated. Please ask for permission before using or sharing any content of this blog. Linkbacks are always appreciated!

  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 writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  

I'm still away adventuring, so here are a few lovely sunrises from this past August in the Sierra Nevada mountains. No commentary needed.  ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2021  As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated. Enjoyed this post? Avoid missing out on future posts by  following us .

I couldn't do a review this time because of my travel schedule, but I can say that I read and reviewed the first in this series, The Killer Outdoors , and found it a fun premise.   Nightmare On The Bike Trail (A Southwest Exposure Mystery) Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Independently Published (November 9, 2021) ~180 Pages Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L2JFWDW   Welcome to Bushwhack, New Mexico: home to tourists, the great outdoors, and murder… Andie Sullivan, adventure guide in the mountain community of Bushwhack, NM, is gearing up for the annual bicycle race hosted by her tour company. When a ghost from her and sheriff Zac Mars’ past registers to participate—her suspicions are raised. And then a gun goes off deep in the wooded forest along the trail, leaving her and Zac to fight for their future by revisiting past grievances. With lives at stake and secrets opening old wounds, Andie must piece together the clues to solve a decade old case she thought was closed. But time isn’t on

This week's treat to help you remember I exist (and that I'm a writer) is a flashback post with a bit of sweet romance I enjoyed re-reading. I hope you do, too.   Under the Oak. A story in 10 very short chapters. I The car coasted to a stop under a big oak that shadowed the pull-out. The lights went out. It was invisible from the road, even if there had been any traffic to see it. At ten on a Tuesday night, no one would drive down that road. "Is this the place?" "Close as I can tell. I wasn't paying as much attention as I might have, last time." The passenger peered through the window into the darkness outside. "I can't make it out. I just can't tell." "You'll see," said the driver. "It'll come back to you." He turned the key, and the motor died. The sounds and scents of a summer night came in through the open windows in the sudden quiet.   The other time had been autumn. II It was 1959. In