A Proper THANK YOU!

To all of our fallen military personnel for protecting our liberty and rights. I have several family members who dedicate themselves to preserving our lives from the evils that exist within our world.  The evils are many, they are vicious barbarians and would destroy us (remember 9/11) in a heartbeat.  I'm grateful to those past and present who have put their own lives in jeopardy to protect our freedoms.  May God keep you all in his care. 

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Next up:  The times they are a-changin...last week I was saddened to have to give up Big Red in favor of a smaller ride more conducive to my changing physical limitations.  It took me a while to mull over the decision, but I finally emotionally let go of my heart throb Big Red and am confident she will go to a new caring home.  I've never been so emotional about an automobile.  In the past, whatever it was as long as it got me from point A to point B and beyond and back home again, I was satisfied.  It was merely a mode of transportation.  I truly fell in love with that big truck and it was hard to let her go.  But, my new little Jeep is parked out front and although it's odd to look out my upstairs window and see it there instead of Big Red, I'm getting used to it.  Went out for a couple of errands yesterday and had no trouble getting in and out of it.  My right arm, which I had to overuse to pull myself up into the big truck, has stopped aching so it's already worth the trade :)

***

As promised, a review of "Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers" show in Spokane Tuesday night.  Having gotten a temporary fix seeing Roger solo in Spokane back in February, I was so in need of a full band show, and they did not disappoint!  The setlist was long...filled with lots of favorites including several from the newest release "Unida Cantina" along with some old favorites as well.  A raunchy, crowd pleasing "Girly" and rousing version of "Blue Collar Suicide".  The audience didn't disappoint either, Roger even commented that he was surprised to have such an enthusiastic crowd on a Tuesday night in Spokane.  What...they expected lackluster??? We are a rabid crowd of fans!  I've seen the same fans at shows there for 8 years now, many I can greet by name and others we simply nod and acknowledge each others presence.  It's a comfortable, homecoming feeling that this band and their magical charisma has created among us.  It's one of the reasons I fell in love with them.  Roger says and it is true, RCPM fans are the best rock n' roll audience in the world! Met up with Sandy, another rabid long time RCPM fan and we spent the evening with lots of laughs and most fun, at the front of the stage (barricade) singing and swaying to the music.  We had a birds eye view of JD and Roger and their awesome guitars!  What fun! :)

Local band "Buffalo Jones" opened with their signature sound and got us ready to rock in grand style. These guys are so fun on stage!  They are one of my favorite indie bands and can't wait to hear all about their four city mini-tour opening up for RCPM on the road! It's their first time out on a road trip as a band.  I wish I could have stalked them the whole way!  I could write a book about that.  Oh, wait...I already did :D


Thanks to Chris and my friends at KPND radio, Sandpoint, for giving me the meet and greet package which not only came with some schmoozing with the band before the show, but a really cool Roger Clyne "Mexican Moonshine" flask.  It's awesome!  It was nice to get to chat with the band and give hugs to all, except for P.H. who I spotted escape on the elevator right before the band came out.  It's ok, I know P.H. is somewhat of a recluse and I respect his privacy.  RCPM are the most humble, personable band I know and I thank them for their graciousness and for the great music.  It was a memorable evening all the way around! 

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On the writing front:  I have definitely decided to sever my exclusive ties with Amazon.  I will offer both of my e-reader books "Random Encounters" & "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey" for free before my current contract period is up, then they'll be for sale only (no more freebies through KDP Select)  through Amazon and lots of other e-reader outlets so if some of you have missed out because you have a Nook or Reader device, they will be available mid-June.  Meantime, I'm almost finished editing "Back Track" and will soon make the giant leap of getting a proof copy to move on to the next step.  Still need a cover, but I have a few very talented artists to choose from to do that.  

Virtual hugs all around today, but especially hugs to our military.  Thank them for putting themselves in harm's way to protect our wonderful freedoms and way of life.  Without them, I probably would be censored and not able to do this.  The Lhasa is snoozing and I have a notion I'll be getting ready for a bbq today without any help.  That's ok, I'm persnickety (ok, anal...) about preparing food so I'd rather do it myself.  

*Hugs* ~ K

With a little help from our friends

It's good to have friends helping friends.  I like to support fellow artists. We're all in this together, you know.  As talked  about last week, Art Edwards is earnestly working to get his book made into film.  Call it 'fan aid' if you will as I'm offering any of my books in exchange for a contribution to Art Edwards & Nico Holthaus' movie project based on Art's novel "Stuck Outside Of Phoenix".  Just go here and make a contribution to the kickstarter campaign of $10.00 or more and I will send you one of my books.  I'll even let you choose.  I'll even throw in "LifeLoveLust" as usual. Shoot...I'm even gonna pay the postage to get it to you. I'll even autograph 'em for ya'. If you give more than $20.00...you get all three of my silly little books.  Such a deal!  You get to say you were in on the ground floor of what is going to be an amazing independent film and you get some free reading as well. You can't beat that, not even with a rock star drummer's drumstick!   So, give already.  It will be greatly appreciated.  The smile on Art's face will be well worth it! :-D 

***

This is the odd time of year, don't you think? We're not quite through winter, yet there are days when we can see the end of the snow blanket and the beginning of warm, Spring days on the horizon. The sunshine we had last week with a fresh snowfall has disappeared and the overcast gray looms. College bowl games are over, the super bowl isn't quite here.  I'm not a big fan of basketball, although I do support the Zags whenever I have time. I find myself staring out the window and daydreaming.  It's difficult to stay on task.  There are so many things to be done that must wait for warmer weather, not to mention it's just plain hard to get in a productive mood when the days are gray.  I'll go get a cup of something yummy and hot from the Keurig and see if that helps inspiration :-D

***

 

From the 'they just don't make things like they used to' department...the seven year old cordless keyboard died a sudden death.  Took her last breath, and just gave up.  Thing is, I was right in the middle of something brilliant when it happened!  Are you a believer in all things happen for a reason?  The timing of that old gal giving up when I was feverishly typing the next breakthrough novel, seemed cruel.  I lost momentum.  Had to stop everything and get the old corded (gasp! how primitive) keyboard and by the time I moved everything on the desk and got the old work horse hooked up, the moment had passed.  I don't think I typed another single thing yesterday except a few short e-mails.  Didn't work on any novels.

Speaking of novels, "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey" and "Random Encounters" continue to do well at Amazon.  I'm humbled by how many of you have been reading my stories.  It helps me feel like it was all worthwhile, the years of working on them and trying to perfect them.  Although, if you read the rejections I continue to get from editors, agents and publishers, I should continue perfecting.  Sometimes I think you just can't please others, so I will please myself and not worry about the critiques.  Click on the book covers to the right over there and that will get you to the download for Kindle or my website to get a paperback. Autographed. "LifeLoveLust" included, as always.

***

What's your story today? Are you working on the next break through novel? You should. Get motivated.  Get writing.  Get the stories out of your head and onto the paper, or screen as it were.  Then print them on paper.  You'll get a sense of satisfaction and it'll help you get through the gray cloudy days of the end of winter.  Unless you're living in the tropics or something, then...never mind. Just go surfing.

Hug everybody you see today!  You'll get a cheap thrill out of the shock from strangers!

Pensively yours,

~ K

Imagine

Today would have been the 71st birthday for John Lennon.  A prolific man, who wrote from the heart and was highly criticized for it.  I admire his ability to put himself out there for everyone to see, and many judged him harshly.  He was a man ahead of his time politically, and really only wanted a peaceful existence. His music is timeless and it makes me wonder what further greatness he would have achieved had he not been taken from this world too soon.  I like to imagine him as front man for a  band of musicians in the 'nother world beyond, marching to a joyful tune and encouraging everyone to come together in peace and harmony.  It's icons like him who inspire me to be creative, fearless of judgment and criticism. I try each week to write about things that inspire me, things that are close to my heart.  A combination of aging and having been through personal crisis for a few years now, has me quite pensive much of the time.  I'm still trying to figure it all out.  The cliche why I am here, what my purpose is, how do I best serve both myself and others.  I don't like to sound selfish, but one thing I have learned definitively, is one cannot be fulfilled and happy with anyone else unless they are fulfilled and happy with themselves first.  For someone like me who has spent my entire adult life being the mom who gives everything to everyone (and did so freely and willingly) and leaving myself always for last, shaking the guilt that goes along with trying to turn that around and put myself first is a real challenge.  Old habits and all that jazz.  I'll keep working on it though, as long as I'm breathing I'll be a work in progress.   

***

I don't pay a lot of attention to celebrity gossip or news, but one thing this week caught my attention.  It was an interview with Ellen DeGeneres talking about what is important in her life.  She's made it to the top both in the comedy world as one of the best in stand up, and then she became popular in daytime television.  She confessed what I believe to be true of anyone, that personal happiness is utmost important.  She was generous enough to reveal a statement her partner Portia de Rossi said to her in their wedding vows: "It is important to be loved, it is profound to be understood".  This really hit home with me!  I've been trying to verbalize that emotion to anyone who will listen to me, that it is so important to be understood.  To be accepted and loved and not judged for who and what we are, is complete validation.  I meet many people who lack validation in their own lives and their unhappiness is painfully apparent.  I go out of my way to try to be more understanding of those people.  Being a child who grew up during the flower power era of peace and love, it is starting to absorb into my psyche now what that truly means.  Complete acceptance and understanding without judgment.  If we could all be a little more tolerant, think how much better relationships are, or even simply day to day relating to others.  Smiles help a lot, too :-) 

***

How 'bout that Occupy Wall Street movement?  On second thought...nah...I'll leave all the political discussions for Facebook and for message boards.  It's not that I don't have political views, or that I don't believe our country is in dire straights and needs a serious wake up call to reorganize and re prioritize, or anything like that.  Or, that our politicians and government have far too much power and authority in our lives, or that they take way too much of our slaved for money and dole it out to other countries when we've got serious problems here we need that money for, or that we've stuck our noses in other countries business and spent too much money and lives on fighting someone elses wars...no, none of that stuff.  I'll leave that to the pros to debate and argue about. *wink*

***

Fall is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest.  My favorite time of year! The warm cider hits the spot.  The leaves are turning and the beautiful colors are inspiring.  I wake in the morning to turn the heat on to take the chill off, still can leave for work in my flip flops, sometimes have to switch to a/c in the afternoon, then come home in the evening and put the piggy slippers on to warm my chilled toes.  It's perfect!  It's also the perfect time to get your cool weather reading in order.  As I previously announced (ok...shouted!), "Random Encounters" was favorably reviewed and highly recommended by Ms. Nora Chipley Barteau . It is the first completely unbiased professional review I received and it is very rewarding to have a professional and complete stranger give validation for what my friends and reader guinea pigs already told me...it's a great read!  So, grab your fleece throw, and hot cup of something or your favorite liqueur or shots to stoke the inner fire (Mexican Moonshine is highly recommended) and snuggle up with some great reading this winter.  Both "Random Encounters" and "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey" are available at my website.  You can get either of my books or buy them both and get "LifeLoveLust" as a bonus.  Makes for some great light reading, with a little laughter mixed in to give you some giggles.

I'm still at LifeLoveLust this week, I'm working on the new site, it's a bit of a challenge for a thick head like mine, but I hope to have it out of the construction phase and ready for viewing by next week.  Or, if you prefer you can get it from Amazon Random Encounters or for Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey

Except for this weekly creation, I'll be taking a short break from writing to work at my fun job, getting some bands and solo artists out on the road, so I'll be announcing that in the near future.  I love working with independent artists, it's a lot of fun!  Speaking of independent artists, I finally finished a great story!  I'll be showcasing "A Spy at Home" by Joseph Rinaldo next week.  It's an engaging story and I’m intrigued by it, so I'll delve deep into the mind of the author to get the plaguing questions answered.

Hug somebody today!

Randomly yours,

~ K