"Playing at third base, ladies and gentlemen, is the great lady herself," announced the baseball commentator, "Jaaaaaaaaane Austeeeeen." Can you see it—Jane Austen, Action Doll, plays third base for the San Francisco Giants? Or any professional league team, for that matter. I like to think that Jane Austen is athletic because her characters are. Lizzy Bennett enjoys taking long walks in the woods, for instance. And, to be a writer requires great stamina, dedication, endurance, determination, and ambition. What do you think? Shall Jane Austen, Action Doll, become a professional baseball player? My theme for this year's challenge is Jane Austen, Action Doll, Seeks a New Career . To check out other A to Z participants, click here . To learn more about the 2018 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge , click here .

Shall I be an aerobatic pilot? wonders Jane Austen, Action Doll. Could I be so bold to soar and tumble? Fly upside down? What if flying loop-the-loops and barrel rolls are more satisfying than writing about Elizabeth and Darcy? Would I prefer to see a crowd waving below and cheering me on rather than sit alone with make-believe characters in a room wondering if anyone might read my words? My theme for this year's challenge is Jane Austen, Action Doll, Seeks a New Career . To check out other A to Z participants, click here . To learn more about the 2018 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge , click here .

Seriously, I did not see these flowers yesterday nor the day before, and I was working in the section where they are. So, yeah, I was shocked to see them this morning. "Hello! How are ya?" the gorgeous flowers said. I forgot what the plant is. My friend Google says it's a rockrose plant. Whooo-hoo! It doesn't look at all like the rockrose plant next to the mailbox, which is getting bigger but yet has to bloom. Another surprise to come in the yard.  This plant that bloomed this morning came home with us last year around this time. It worried me throughout last year. It kept looking like it was about to give up living. My friend Google pointed me to a website of rockrose experts where I learned that the rockrose plant blooms for a month in late spring/early summer and the blooms last for only a day. It's a perfect drought resistant plant and can thrive on neglect. Good to know!

Yesterday morning I discovered the mountain view from the side yard. Well, okay, I've probably seen the view a hundred thousand times before, but yesterday, I finally took note that by golly I can see the mountain between the houses across the street. That's the Santa Ana Mountain, part of the southern end of the Diablo Range that runs from the Carquinez Strait, just northeast of the San Francisco Bay, to a bunch of miles south of the Pinnacles National Park, which is about 30 or so miles from us. The park, that is. We have a fuller view of the mountains over the rooftops from upstairs, but I like this view better. For some unknown reason, having a peek of the mountain, which I've seen since a child, is rather assuring. Today I'm hanging out at Skywatch Friday . Come join me by clicking here . Thanks, Skywatch Friday hosts!

Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's party!". ~ Robin Williams