Devin Hodgins - Wordpress

I have launched a new website for my writing.

https://devinhodgins.wordpress.com/

I began this here "blogspot" back in 2011 to help promote my first professional publication. I knew next to nothing about what a blog even was. Since then, this spot has become an outlet where I also share other items -- ideas, observations, resources -- beyond my own prose and poetry, from my personal life, too.

However, in preparation to refocus my efforts on my literary career, I decided to establish a site devoted exclusively to my writing. I thought about returning this blog to its original form and purpose. I even considered killing it altogether (or least archiving it) and starting completely anew. Ultimately, I decided to go with a whole new website just for my writing.

I'll keep this blog and continue it as it has become: a more personal space that shall touch on all sorts of aspects--including my writing.

Anyhow, I'm currently working on the upcoming release of a new Story and Poem Collection:

Beyond Betiding Horizons

Should be out before the end of Autumn.

I'll announce publication at https://devinhodgins.wordpress.com/ 

as well as right here on this blog.

Free Hallowe'en Reads

Here's a fantastic site:

https://americanliterature.com/halloween/

Lots of excellent literature available for the Spooky Reading Season.

I especially respect the inclusion -- for those reading with children -- of a not-Too-scary-list.

Plenty of other offerings to find - https://americanliterature.com/

So The Season Passes

 Another Summer passes away -- 

-- and still no new roof.

We'll have to see how Fall Winters and how Winter Falls!

"Living in Large Carnivore Country"

Thanks to the folks at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for hosting their bear and mountain lion safety workshop this evening.

We certainly learned a lot about preventing problematic encounters along with some worthwhile strategies for what to do if such an encounter does occur.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department  < https://wgfd.wyo.gov/ >

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/wyoming-wildlife/large-carnivore

Oil City News - https://oilcity.news/community/pet-of-the-week/2026/08/03/wyoming-game-and-fish-to-host-free-bear-mountain-lion-safety-workshop-in-casper/

The Twins got to practice triggering a can of bear spray!

Now to get ourselves a canister or two, hoping we never have to use it. Because...

This obscure shadowy shape (lower right) appeared on our trail camera up at our Casper Mountain acreage a few nights ago.

Inconclusive, at best.

But then we caught these shots a few nights later:

Definitely a black bear.

Again, so glad Wyoming Game and Fish performs such excellent outreach and invaluable education.

Two Steps Away From A Quite Snakebite!

 We discovered this fella under the steps to our little shack on Casper Mountain.

The Shack has a Rattler!

Actually, my wife discovered it! Roundabout early evening, she headed across the meadow to the shack to grab an extra water bowl for the dogs, hot as it has been. She started up the steps, heard a rattle, took a moment to rationalise what it was, and hurried up the rest of the steps and onto the porch. Then she screamed. I came a'runnin', just able to hear the last of the angry rattle sink deeper under the shack. My wife was petrified. Unable to see where it was hiding, I threw a log by the steps and received no protest; so, I encouraged her to run back down. She collected her wits, somehow remembered the water bowl, and scurried off the porch and down the steps. We left the snake alone for the rest of the evening, both agape at how close she came to danger.

The next morning, I went to fetch some items myself from the shack. I took a shovel and approached slowly. I banged the spade on the rocks and then on the steps and then even on the wall of the shack itself. Nothing. Not a sound. So, I figured the rattler had moved on. One foot on the first step, and the rattle erupted! I leapt back, just glimpsing the viper right underneath me and the wooden step. What an alarming shot of fright! I retreated a ways and stood absolutely fascinated as the snake slithered from under the step to a spot deeper beneath the shack. I kept my eyes on it and called my wife over with her camera. I am not ashamed to admit I was still shaking as I snapped some photographs.

Now to investigate mitigation strategies of this potentially venomous issue. We'll clear the building materials from under the shack, eliminate as many hiding places as possible, cut the bracken further back, and stop up any holes in the outer walls. We also realise we need a second point of entry and exit for the shack, if only for safety's sake. 

Of course, that's all AFTER the viper is gone. Until then, at least we won't have any rodent troubles.

Venus - Jupiter 2026

 Weeks of watching, and tonight, at closest conjunction, the clouds roll in.

At least we get a nice silent lightning storm over the Mountain.

Coming this Fall...

Beyond Boundless Horizons

A collection of poems and short stories by Devin Hodgins.

Available this autumn.