Hey, babes!
This weekend was amazing, and it’s been two weekends in a row of travel and (mis)adventures. If you’re in the PNW, you know this season comes with unpredictable weather, an increase in road rage incidents, and unfathomable traffic jams. If you know about Mercury Retrograde, that infamous time where travel, communication, and tech are all on the fritz, you know you can expect we had a heaping helping of issues and obstacles. But several phenomenal events happen during the PNW springtime, and I was able to enjoy two of them with my adventure buddy.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a sight to behold, but there are some considerations to take into account—congested traffic at Mount Vernon and heavy attendance during weekends being two major factors. We managed to make it up, but our early wake up alarm never went off, and what was intended to be a three hour drive from home turned into six hours between the traffic and my daughter’s sudden spell of vomiting that required an emergency stop at a car wash.
I carried my daughter for three total miles on my shoulders down the side of a country road that was backed up with traffic to get to the tulip farms. It was chaos, but I’d promised her some tulips, and by all that was sacred, I was going to give the child her tulips. We got there only two hours before they closed, knowing I’d need to leave in an hour to carry her the three miles back to the car.
While there, however, we were blessed to meet a woman named Abi and her friend, Derien. Abi saw a mother with her wild child, a bit overwhelmed waiting 30min in line for water (because all our food and drink that I’d taken the time to pack was three miles away in the car), and she felt the call to help us out. She paid for a hotel room for my daughter and I and then arrived at the room ahead of us to leave a gift basket of food, hygiene items, coffee, dog food, and clothes.
She said something to me that I’ll never forget: Love is taking care of the little things, and someone is looking out for you, taking care of those little things for you. I may never see Abi again, but gratitude for her kindness will remain with me forever. Whether you believe, as she did, that her presence was divinely guided, or whether it was simple human goodness that demanded her generosity, it’s something that you simply don’t forget. And someday I hope to pay it forward to someone else.
We were grateful to get home, but I was eager for the adventure of this weekend. On Saturday, we packed up and headed out to the homestead of photographer Jean Woodfin (@_jw_photog_ on IG) for a girls’ day photoshoot. We had an absolute blast, and it was a full day. The edits that Jean has released so far have been gorgeous. I got to do some more fantasy based images, and my daughter even hopped in front of the camera when she wasn’t hyping up the other models in attendance.
Saturday night we rolled out after 10pm, camped, and then scooted down to Portland for The One Motorcycle Show. To say that we enjoyed it would be an understatement. It was just a spectacular event—so many sick bikes, fun cars, and the art, food, and vendors were on point. Neither of us wanted to leave, but alas. I didn’t take many photos at the event because we were so busy, but it was so. Damned. Good.
To say I’m feeling inspired is an understatement.
and I are currently writing Harvest Moon, the sixth book of the Blood Moon Riders MC series. This is Doc’s book— where you’ll find age gap, angst, and a bookish FMC. HM will be finished soon—hopefully in time to have it on my table for Hot and Steamy in Portland at the end of May, but if not, definitely for Wild Deadwood Reads in June (whether the paperbacks will ship in time for the event is the issue).After HM, I’m currently writing the next book in the IMPMC series, and then I have some new material coming your way that’s less PNR and more romantic fantasy. I’m excited to share more when I’m further along, but truthfully, I’m enjoying just doing the writing and keeping the books to myself until they’re closer to completion.
Those who love BMRMC can preorder Harvest Moon here:
Those who haven’t can start Crow Moon for free here:
I hope you enjoy the rest of your month, babes. As always, thank you for coming on this ride with me, and I look forward to hearing from you!
XOXO,
Mariah
I cannot W for Harvest Moon.. I’ve definitely been missing these characters! I’m so happy that you got to have your (mis)adventures with the little one, and thankful for the generosity of strangers. We need those vibes out in the world! Those tulips are beautiful!
I can't wait to share Harvest Moon! I'm so in love with Doc and Nora. And more than that, I can't wait to see you and my beautiful niece in June!