TIME, TIME TIME.

 

 Where does the time go? What have I done? Where have I been?Weeks whizz by at my age, weeks that used to drag in the fifties. Do you remember?  Do you think we get a 4G connection when we reach a certain age? 

I spent a few days at one of my favorite places, Jojoba Hills RV Resort. Every October the park, which is run entirely by volunteers, conducts an annual yard sale to raise money. I came to help but it turned out my help was more from my pocket book than from the contribution of my time. Someone's trash  has now become my treasure and in the process,I added my small contribution to the $16,000.00 they raised this year.
The amount of money raised is extraordinary, but more impressive is  all the work of sorting, pricing, and selling  the massive inventory- many manhours - is all done by the residents of Jojoba Hills. The sense of community is what makes this place special and although I am not a resident, these people make me wish I were.

While I was visiting at the park my friend, Ron Dingee, a fellow author, came by with his newest book, NANNA (OR … HOW TO EAT AN ELEPHANT).  It is a story as intriguing as his first book, MISSIONARY MEMORIES. Check out this accomplished author at www.rondingee.com

 

The next weekend I in another place that lifts my spirit and stirs my soul - Joshua Tree.  I meant to visit the park itself but instead toured the area of Twenty-nine Palms, Yucca Valley and Morongo Basin.

Rusty remnants in the dessert.

Sunrise and sunset makes this desolate place worthwhile.

This time the amazing city of Twenty-nine Palms, home to the largest Marine base in the country, left its imprint on me. My friend, Julie and I toured the murals that has made the town a must see.

        

The scenes, images, and friends, from Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twenty-nine Palms will comfort me with their beauty and familiarity. When I travel I will remember these impressions and they will play in my mind like a soft melody.
For now I am staying close to home. Working, writing and waiting. Waiting for GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST to become available. Time, time, time. 

LIFE'S DECISIONS

As this year finishes out its last stretch, I am spending a lot of my time trying to make life decisions about work and retirement. I am fortunate to have many options to choose from and believe me I have wrestled with them during the wee hours of the morning, twisting them, turning them, holding them up to the light, and examining them under the calculator. In my mind I have juggled and computed numbers until dawn’s early light.

 

The decisions I make today may change in six months because the ones I made six months ago have. I don’t admonish myself for my indecision but instead look at it like a woman in the dressing room, trying on clothes. I’ve donned the coveralls of work and although they are very comfortable and my pockets are full, if I wear them, I have little time to dress up in the gowns of leisure. I have tried on casual-but-dressy, the Dockers, and lounged in the coziness of sweats. Not sure what fits me best, I have settled on a varied wardrobe for now. Swimming up stream is slow and sometimes futile if the current is strong. I'll go with the flow and enjoy the scenery.

 

A grooming smock for work, comfy sweats for writing, jeans and t-shirt for traveling, and a couple dressy tops for seminars, book signings and workshops. What can I say? I came up in the sixties and am unable to kick the philosophy that I can do it all. The sky's the limit.

"That which you manifest is before you." A quote from Enzo, the dog in the book, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN.
I will enjoy my  life and remember that as I struggle with the verdicts in life, that moment of absolute certainty never comes.I will make the best decision I can and then let it go.

 

 

GET YOUR FREE COPY - ITS NOW LIVE ON AMAZON

This is what a united effort looks like. Years ago my husband and I came across this "Shoe Tree" out in the middle of the dessert on a piece of Rt. 66. this "shoe donation" was a tradition for engaged couples en route to Las Vegas to get married.
Sportster suggested we create our own "united effort."

Since COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  was published  the book has maintained a ranking in the upper 10% on Amazon's e-book lists for a book of its genre. Yesterday Sportster blogged about how close we were to being #1 on Amazon's  bestselling  E-book list.

Please help us rank #1. Starting today we are offering the e-book version of  COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST for FREE!!  Click on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GRE602



If you haven't read  our first book, COAST TO COAT WITH A CAT AND A GHOST, now is the time, before our second one,GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST   hits the book shelves in 21 days.

Kirkus Reviews

Recent Indie Kirkus review for COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.
Watch for A FREE OFFER  sometime in October to promote GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/indie/

SESAME STREET'S NEW ADDITION

Sesame Street episode launches new Service Dog Muppet
http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=12188571&msource=0912eNews

Eukanuba Puppy Channel

7 Days Old: A Journey to Extraordinary! Follow this litter of future Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs (5 Girls 3 Boys) born Sept 14th as they grow from newborn to 8 weeks old. Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support, all free of charge. How can you help! Visit the Eukanuba Facebook page (link below) and for every new ‘like’ of Eukanuba - we will donate a dollar to Canine Companions! (up to $100,000 dollars). Watch live 7 days a week during these hours 9am – 9pm PST, 10am – 10pm MDT, 11am-11pm CDT and 12pm-12am EST.

7 Days Old: A Journey to Extraordinary! Follow this litter of future Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs (5 Girls 3 Boys) born Sept 14th as they grow from newborn to 8 weeks old. Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support, all free of charge. How can you help! Visit the Eukanuba Facebook page (link below) and for every new ‘like’ of Eukanuba - we will donate a dollar to Canine Companions! (up to $100,000 dollars). Watch live 7 days a week during these hours 9am – 9pm PST, 10am – 10pm MDT, 11am-11pm CDT and 12pm-12am EST.(less)http://livestre.am/45S9Q

HAPPENINGS PAST AND FUTURE

The best part of my week was meeting Mario Borrego and his service dog, Sierra. Mario, a Navy veteran who served two tours in Iraq, suffers from PTSD. I had the privilege of meeting Mario and Sierra at the Wilson Creek Winery which hosted the luau. Money from the event was donated to The Canine Support Team, an organization which raises and trains dogs for service and therapy  work.

The Canine Support Team awarded Sierra to Mario only five weeks ago and already Mario lauds the dog’s services and that he has been able to cut back on the medications he takes for his PTSD.



Mario and Sierra,..a veteran and his American Service Dog, a team for life..



 

Sierra, Mario Borrego's service dog, greets one of the youngest Luau participants.



This is Penolope, need I say more?





 

The Glen Avon Library in Jurupa Valley, Riverside County 
The Book Fair at the Glen Avon Library was well attended by local authors exhibiting their books as well as nearby residents who came to meet the authors. The Friends of the Library knew how to host an event. A lunch bag from Subway Sandwiches was a delightful surprise as well as many homemade goodies, cookies, carrot and lemon cakes served with coffee and iced tea. I was treated so well I offered to perform one of my workshops in the future.

Only one half of Kay Murphy can be seen. (Sorry Kay) Her books, TAINTED LEGACY and her newest, THE DOGS WHO SAVE ME  sold well at the fair. Kay and Lynne who sat on either side of me were teachers for the Jurupa Valley School District.

Terry Lee Marzell author of "Chalkboard Champions"  penned  stories that are inspiring and motivational of dedicated and gifted teachers working with disadvantaged students.

Lynne Spreen proudly presents her first book, Dakota Blues.



Vickie Hitt displays her art alongside her husband ,author, Jim Hitt.


This week is filled as well with a speaking engagement at the Lioness' Club meeting on Thursday night, Sept. 20th at 6pm. and a workshop on story structure at the Inland Empire California Writers Club meeting at the Ovitt Ontario Library in Ontario on Saturday at 10am Sept. 22. Everyone is welcome to attend whether you are a member or not.
Oh, yes and Sportster and I will be grooming dogs at the Canine Beauty Salon, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Have a great week!

 

BOOK SIGNINGS AND VETERANS

My calendar is full this month. I am so excited about all of the events coming up.

First and most exciting, I will have the privilege of meeting a veteran and his service dog. I am excited and nervous and honored to have the opportunity. The meeting will be my introduction to this expanding and critical social issue I want to write about. I am nervous because as a writer, it has been said we constantly suffer inadequacy issues.

Although I battle these demons, I am in love with my new career and it is too late to back out now. The affair began with my first book, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. It was fun and almost easy, perhaps because I was ignorant of the road ahead, of publishing and marketing.

But I am on that road now and  cannot turn back. I compare it to my experience of driving across Lake Ponchartrain on the long, long bridge. I was terrified, amazed, and swore I would never do it again. Well, I still may never drive across that bridge again in a motor home, but I couldn’t restrain from writing my second book, GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST and now …my third? I can’t believe it!

INVISIBLE HEROES has captured my heart only thirty-three pages in. The aspects of the story are three fold, all issues of importance.

Working Dogs: We are all familiar with dogs for the blind, but there is so much more that dogs are capable of.

Prison Rehabilitation: An issue we all wish for but cynically think is impossible. Dogs fit in here too.

Disabled Veterans: An issue that began with the first war ever fought, now of monumental proportions, and our beloved dogs are contributing to the healing process with phenomenal success.

It may I have strayed from the subject of upcoming events, but at all of these events will have information about these issues and ways you can help.

Thursday,September 13th at 6 pm. I will be selling and signing books at this event. $2.00 of every sale will be donated to  The Canine Support Team. Come out and meet the Volunteers and the service dogs too.

Mark Saturday, September 15th at 2pm. on your schedules.Click on the link below  for another great event for book lovers.  The Book Fair will have many local authors present to sell and sign their books. Meet the authors!

GLEN AVON REGIONAL LIBRARYhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Glen-Avon-Regional-Library/104887107880


September 12th. And the link below is a movie debuting at the new Loma Linda Hospital on the I-215 in Murrieta, Ca.  Again meet the Canine support Team and watch the touching movie, SHELTER ME, that will inform, educate and warm your heart.


http://shelterme.com/

Finally on Saturday September 29  from 2pm. to 5pm. come to the Hemet Mall on Florida Ave. and help celebrate the Grand Opening of a new bookstore, THE BOOK WAREHOUSE.
More local authors will be in attendance.
(Note the bookstore opens on the 4th but the Book Fair will be on the 29th.)