Hanging On to the Colors of Fall
A look back at a particularly colorful fall season.
Hi everyone!
It’s been a few months since I’ve checked in with Daly Grind newsletter, so I figured it was time. The fall season has been a busy one for me, as far as writing and media projects go (as you’ll see in the Hullabaloo section below). Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and so is the official start of the Christmas shopping season (I have some thoughts on that below as well 😉). But wha’s stood out to me most this fall has been the dynamic colors here in Colorado.
My wife’s and my wedding anniversary is September 28. We stopped exchanging gifts years ago, and now commemorate the occasion with a long hike in Rocky Mountain National Park (and lunch afterwards in Estes Park). We’re lucky to live just a little over an hour from the park, and also that our anniversary lands during peak leaf season.
Last year, we took the Fern Lake Trail; the highlight of the trip was a fairly close encounter with family of moose. This year, for the first time, we hiked up Bierstadt Trail up... and boy was that a good choice. The views, as you can see, were breathtaking. Magical, really.
It was a day to hold onto for sure — probably the best fall hike we’ve ever taken.
Of course, most of the leaves have since fallen (it’s mid-November, after all), but Colorado did have a trick up its sleeve for us just a couple of weeks ago at Barr Lake State Park. My wife’s early-onset bird-watching hobby brought us there, and I wasn’t expecting much in the way of scenery beyond her feathered friends. But… I was happy to be wrong.
I don’t know if it’s algae grass or aquatic weeds, but whatever plant life lines the bottom of Barr Lake turns a dazzling shade of sienna once the water recedes and the fall season hits. Its contrast with the fallen trees that decorate the area, and the crisp mountain backdrop, was remarkable.
Oh, and I’m happy to report one more colorful fall surprise. In May of last year, I about pulled out my remaining hair trying to catch a glimpse of the northern lights that seemingly half the country (including nearby friends) was experiencing and posting amazing pictures of on social media. Last Tuesday, the aurora finally paid me a visit (and in my own backyard).
Now, for a brief intermission…
Quite Possibly the World’s Greatest Christmas Gift
Okay, “world’s greatest” might be a bit of a stretch, but it’s certainly true that lots of people like books, and enjoy receiving them as gifts. And a great way to let a reader in your life know that you put some extra thought into the book you give them is to have it signed and personalized by the author.
And guess what? Through the store on my website, you can order signed copies of my award-winning Sean Coleman Thrillers that I’ll personalize to whomever you like (just let me know the details in the “Order notes” section at checkout time).
Now, back to the newsletter…
The Hullabaloo
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been busy with lots of projects lately. In addition to my regular writing and podcasts through Bernie’s Goldberg’s website (where an annual subscription is currently just $37.50), and my regular contributions to the Book Marketing for Authors newsletter (which is also running an annual-subscription sale), I’m now offering author services in the BQB online store!
What the heck is that? you’re probably asking. My book publisher, BQB Publishing, recently opened an online store where other authors (outside of our publishing imprint) can purchase individual services to help them better market their books. Some of those services are ones that I provide, from my years of experience as a published author and social-media marketer. They include promotional videos, promotional graphics, and even a video-recorded 30-minute promotional interview conducted by me!
And now that I think about it, I suppose there’s no reason for me to limit the interviews to authors. If there’s any other product or service you’re selling that you think would benefit from a video-interview, just let me know. Unless it’s something too crazy, I’m open to it. There’s a reason, after all, that Bernie Goldberg calls me “The Renascence Man of the Rocky Mountains.” 😄
The Reagan Caucus Podcast
With everything else going on, it’s a wonder I still have time to co-host The Reagan Caucus Podcast each and every week. But I make it work, and I frankly love doing it. Thomas D. Howes and I have been conducting lots of great interviews on important topics… including with some pretty big guests:
I’m proud of what we’ve done with the podcast, and if you’d like to contribute to the Reagan Caucus effort, we’d certainly appreciate your support.
Obligatory Dog Shot
Treats are the trick for making this happen.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading today’s Daly Grind.
Want to drop me a line? You can email me at johndalybooks@hotmail.com, and also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and now Bluesky! If you haven’t subscribed to this newsletter yet, please click on the “Subscribe now” button below. Doing so will get these posts emailed directly to you.
Take care. And I’ll talk to you soon!
Nice scenic photos John!
I really need to get out more in my own neck of the woods after seeing where you've been.