Phyllis Moore's Blog, page 3
September 12, 2023
Missed that Photo
I was in the park walking past a small grove of trees. I saw something that interested me, so I veered off the path to take a look.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought was a bunch of dried leaves. I’d been fooled by a clump of leaves before and thought it was a small animal. This time, I ignored the leaves up until they came alive, I jumped in surprise. Okay, I hopped in surprise. She wasn’t that terrifying.
It was a sleeping, brown female duck. When I got too close, she squawked and angrily flapped her wings to warn me away. When I didn’t leave, she leaped up and flew into the grove of trees still squawking.
My first thought was: she’s sitting on her nest. My next thought was: it’s too late in the year. I checked just in case. No nest.
I could have taken a photo of her. My camera was in my pocket, but I didn’t think of it until she was gone. It happened too fast.
Usually, my camera is in my hands, ready at a moment’s notice to take a picture.
Not this time.
What was interesting in the grove of trees? Nothing.
Still I got a post out of it. 
September 3, 2023
Up Close Photos #3 Sunflowers
I recently found a new walking path. On my walk I found community garden with a row of sunflower plants growing along the path. I stopped to take a few photos.
I took 20 photos here are my best. The last one is my favorite. Can you find the bee having lunch?
August 25, 2023
Cee’s Photo Challenge: Ocean View
Here is my entry to Cee’s Photo Challenge. Ocean View Beyond the Trees. Taken of the Pacific Ocean on Carmel, California, USA beach.
August 15, 2023
My Rabbit Photo
The last time I came home and parked, a rabbit was sitting, in the grass, in front of my car. Usually, when I see a rabbit, it’s too far to get a decent photo. This time the rabbit froze in place. I took a photo through the windshield, thinking this would be the best shot I would get. Then I quietly got out of my car and gently shut the door.
The rabbit was still there.
I could hear him thinking, If I stay perfectly still, she won’t see me.
I took another picture. I stepped forward three times, taking a picture with each step. The rabbit stayed in place. Considering I don’t have zoom, I managed to get a close-up photo. I looked at my cell phone to view the photos.
He thought, NOW! And hopped away.
When I looked up, my photo subject was gone.
The last photo was the best picture I have taken of a rabbit.
But wait, there is more to the story. I locked my car remotely and forgot to see if the car door was securely closed. Next morning, my door was ajar. I was disappointed because it had rained that night. I was expecting a soaked front seat. I’d have to go upstairs to get a thick towel to sit on so my backside wouldn’t get soaked. To my pleasant surprise, the car seat was dry. 
July 26, 2023
July 17, 2023
Sunday Stills: Butterflies
Terry Schrandt hosts Sunday Stills: Lets Get #Small. Here is my entry of a faux butterfly in my fairy garden.
July 16, 2023
Last Chance Midnight July 17
Midnight July 17 is the end of Pegasus Colony ebook giveaway. Thank you for all who participated. By your help, my numbers tripled on this giveaway compared to my last giveaway. If you like my book please write me a review and tell your friends. Word of mouth is the best advertisement.
The first chapter of my book starts with the three spaceships WSC Eagle, WSC Hawk, and WSC Falcon. But this is not a science fiction story about the military, galactic wars, or crazed aliens. It’s about people living in the 25th century, who are dealing with the same issues as we do today, rejection, insecurity, and love. The only difference is my characters are on an alien planet with unexpected tribulations.
This post is about one of my characters, Captain Faris Assette of WSC Falcon.
After 12 years aboard WSC Hawk, people were excited to walk on their new planet. Unfortunately, they arrived just in time as a worldwide gravitational storm hit. Hundreds of people were outside when monstrous waves rose and washed everyone out to sea.
Faris and her crew preferred to take the remaining survivors back to Earth.
Even though their loss was unimaginable, the settlers refused to give up and return to Earth crushed. In honor of their families and friends, the colonists unanimously decided to continue forward.
Captain Faris Assette decided she and her crew would stay and help the colonists settled in. They would return to Earth with the next ship scheduled to arrive in two years. That ship never came. To their disappointment, Falcon’s crew became permeate residents.
This was not the life Faris expected or wanted. More than once, she regretted her decision, but it was too late. She’d become leader. She confirmed all final decision on construction. She settled disagreements. She became the glue that held the colony together. And she’s headed for a breakdown.
July 15, 2023
It’s My Birthday!
Today is July 15, and it’s my birthday. My gift to you is a free ebook, Pegasus Colony.
When you click the long orange button on Pegasus Colony’s Kindle page and get your free gift, it’s like wishing me a Happy Birthday. Thank you to all who have taken advantage of this giveaway.
July 14, 2023
Cee’s Fun Photo: Swans
This week CFFC is the side of any item. I chose swans.
July 13, 2023
This is it! Free Ebook!
In honor of my birthday on July 15, I am giving you a birthday present, a free ebook of Pegasus Colony the first book of People of Akiane Trilogy, STARTING TODAY July 13 to July17. Here is the link to the introduction post.
It was to be Earth’s greatest achievement, establishing the first galactic colony in the Pegasus Constellation. Using folded space technology, World Space Coalition sent three spaceships, WSC Eagle, WSC Hawk, and WSC Falcon, to transport 2,035 settlers to their new home planet, Akiane.
I’m sharing the first Chapter of Pegasus Colony by introducing the transport ships one at a time. I named the ships after majestic raptor birds because I wanted WSC ships to be known for their strength, dominance, and nobility.
Unfortunately, when they arrived at their destination, the ships meet with disaster. This trilogy is the story of how settlers from Earth colonized an alien planet, overcame tribulations, and became the People of Akiane.
This is WSC Hawk’s story.
Chapter 1 Part 2Captain Matvey Petrov of WSC Hawk
WSC HAWK was the first to arrive on Akiane. We landed on a section of land near the equator where there was open ocean water.
This is only a temporary location. Once we’ve received the data from WSC Eagle’s probes, we will make a final decision as to where we will build our new settlement.
Hawk carried the power source for the new colony. We unloaded it with the intention of having it set up before Eagle and Falcon land. The crew has begun assembling it.
Second Report of the Day
Disaster has hit. Eagle exploded. It was like a bright flash in the morning sky.
Later in the day, we suffered horrid earthquakes. At first the quakes were gentle and only lasted for seconds, but they have increased.
The ocean ice shattered. Monstrous waves with the speed of shuttlecrafts rose up and flew toward shore. They battered the ship and swept everything and everyone on shore out to sea.
I tried to move the ship but her engines were not properly warm up. I did manage to move her beyond the waves’ reach.
The quakes continued to become more forceful. The ground shook with such intensity it rippled as if it was water. I thought the planet would come apart.
By the time it was all over, everything that had been unloaded was lost, including the power source. Everyone who had been outside was lost, swept out to sea.
Hawk’s engine is damaged. Life support is minimal. The ship will never fly again. She might be able to move further inland, but nothing more.
Captain Matvey Petrov Private Quarters
“Sir.”
Captain Matvey stopped recording. “Anything?”
“The beach was swept clean, Sir.”
“Thank you. You may go.”
The lieutenant turned to leave.
Matvey stood and walked to the door.
He hated this planet. He’d not set foot on it, and yet, it had already stolen all he loved and his reason to live.
His first child had been born on the ship. Amanda was 23 months and 14 days old. She and her mother, like so many others, were on the beach enjoying the fresh air.
Eight hundred sixty-eight people, colonists and crew, had been outside when it started. They should have all run back to the ship. Some did. Most froze as the ground shook and dumbly stared at the ocean when the ice shattered. By the time the first wave rose up, it was too late.
The waves took everything.
The colonists had come with the hope of new beginnings, but had slammed head-on into death. What more tragedy did this place hold?
Matvey would never know. He picked up the newest holophoto of his wife and daughter.
He was still holding it when he locked the door. There was no reason to ever set foot on Akiane. He would join his family instead.
