"Here's yer suckerpunch"

Much rumblings afoot in the e-reader world this past week.  Seems the justice dept. is suing Apple and five of the BBNY publishers over price fixing of e-books.  Simply put, the article states: "Antitrust rules forbid price-fixing agreements designed to shut out competitors or drive up what consumers pay".  I don't understand what they are grumbling about.  .99 for an electronic version seems a fair price to me, which both of my selections  "Random Encounters" and "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey" exclusively at Amazon are currently priced at.  Free is even better!  So, in honor of this little drama with the justice dept. and the BBNY publishers getting in a simmer over e-reader prices, I'm offering "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz,Honey"  for free.  For one day, anyway.  Next Sunday 3/19, it will be free at Amazon.  How's that for price fixing? Happy reading! :)

Everyone I know is getting into the e-reader world.  Paper books really are slowly becoming a thing of the past.  My kids have even gotten hooked on reading that way. The teacher got herself a Kindle Fire and reads on it in between unruly high school kids in class and coaching the primpy dance team.  Ok, ok...she plays angry birds a lot, too, but...it's mainly for reading.  My son the electronic geek does it on his computer like I do, and my youngest the vet-tech-to-be (hasn't finished college yet) has a Sony reader that gets quite the workout.  I was shocked this week when she brought me a hard cover paper book and demanded I read it! "The Hunger Games" is sitting here beside me waiting for me to open it and start reading.  That's a project for another time as once I open a book, it rarely closes until I'm finished and this one is going to have to wait until I finish my next project for self-publication.  Formerly known as "If I Weren't So..." I've settled on the title "Back Track" and it is going to be epic! I know, I know...that word is over-used these days, but I truly love the story and the characters and I'm getting all just right to get into print and on e-reader.

"It's been a good year for bad days, or a bad year for good days"  

It's that time of year when we haven't quite escaped winter, but spring isn't here yet.  We had a high temp of 63 on Friday here in North Idaho (we will secede eventually!) and it was sublime! I walked around outside in shirt sleeves. Oh happy day! It's an odd feeling because there are still some winter blahs hanging around, seems the darkness isn't completely gone but the bright sunshine we crave and desperately need to regain sanity won't wholly appear.  The 63 and sunny was a teaser. I think our maker knew we needed a little something to keep us going until that blinding sun makes a grand entrance for good through the summer. It's drizzling rain here this morning and the Lhasa isn't even up out of bed yet. He hates going outside in the rain. Must have an iron clad bladder. 

The other definitive sign of spring, baseball has started in some form. Chicago televised a pre-season game Saturday and that was a welcome smile :) 

"The best that we can hope for is to be laughin' when we finally hit the ground"

Many of you who know me know I've really struggled with my health this winter. Been sick with that awful crud since before Thanksgiving, had several rounds of antibiotics and my crappy crippled immune system, which is non-existent, just won't kick it.  I appreciate all of your well wishes and am optimistic I'm on the upside, so my sassy self should be back in action real soon! When I get that depleted, I have to concentrate on the things I must do (like work for a living) and everything else gets kicked aside until I have the energy to tackle it. When our physical being suffers, it's really hard to concentrate and be creative so working on my next project has been really slow, but I'm confident I'll make my deadline.  I'll keep you in the loop on that and I’m so grateful so many of you care. It truly warms my heart *hugs*

"So just how far down do you wanna go?"

This blog titles has been brought to you courtesy of "The Refreshments".  The band existed 16 years ago and released two albums together.  Even though they went their separate ways after the second release, there's a whole fan base who still lives by that music.  We've been lamenting the anniversary of their first and award winning release "Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy".  Hard to believe that band together for such a short time still has so much success on the music they made so long ago.  If you haven't checked them out, you can here.  Roger Clyne and PH Naffah went on to form "Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers", Art Edwards is a successful self-published author with his first book being made into film now, Brian Blush is still playing that mean guitar that we all got soooo hooked on with a band called "The Toluenes".  Check them all out, I know you'll be glad you did.  I'm grateful to all of them for the music they made that helped shape a generation and gives so much insight into human nature and how normal we all really are in our abnormal state. There was something magical about those four guys together at that time. That kind of musical simpatico can't be duplicated.

Give random hugs today! I did and it brought smiles :-D 

Now playing: "Birds Sing" ~ "The Refreshments" ~ "The Bottle & Fresh Horses"

Nostalgically yours,

*Hugs* ~ K

Juxtaposition

Isn't that a cool word?  I'm always on the lookout for cool words.  It's part of the can't-breathe-without-words thing I got goin' on.  The Encarta definition:

"to place two or more things together, especially in order to suggest a link between them or emphasize the contrast between them"

I'm also always on the lookout for cool music news.  This week there was juxtaposition in the music world.  This article got passed around on f/b.  It's more than disappointing to see what the popular music preferences are.  At the same time, I received a tweet that Guns n' Roses has been selected for consideration inducting them into the rock n' roll hall of fame.  Could there be any more juxtaposition? The comparisons are extreme in the contrast between them.  Katy Perry** holds the same number of number one singles from one album as Michael Jackson?  Really?  People can say what they will about Michael, he did live a very unconventional life, but then what musical genius has not?  And, I'm really not one to compare "normal".  Normal is relative.  What is normal for my life, may be bizarre to someone else.  It's common with creative people who are eccentric in their lifestyle. A dear friend who is a musical genius told me: "Genius is part madness, crazy is just the fun part!" I'm so grateful for artistic friends who understand.  The obsession to write can be a lonely existence and it's nice to know there are others who understand, but that's a whole 'nother blog I could (and will) write about again eventually. 

My tastes vary widely when it comes to music.  I like most any rock and classic rock, unless it's Jethro Tull or Joe Cocker.  You know how when you have the compulsion to stand in the middle of the room, cup your hands over your ears, let go a blood curdling screech that would crack the china and shatter crystal?  Yeah, me too.  That's what either of those two artists do to me.  It's involuntary.  If a song by one of them comes on the classic rock station, which they do all too frequently I might add, I go into my wretched contortion expressing that I've gone over the edge.  Otherwise, I'm pretty easy going about music.  I don't consider myself a music snob, although I do have my favorites that are fixtures in the rotation.  Everything Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, The Refreshments, The Toluenes, John Fogerty, yes...Michael Jackson, Pink, Tom Petty, Eagles, Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Isaac, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Pink Floyd, Cindy Lauper, Beastie Boys, Motley Crue, Guns n' Roses.  The list could go on indefinitely, the point being my music tastes are diverse and what I listen to depends on what moves me at the moment or when my mood needs changed.  Music will often bring me out of a funk when nothing else will do. It frequently saves me from myself.  "Pink" ~ "Don't Let Me Get Me" (trust me, it's a great song).

The main point is, our music history defines us as a generational culture. I have an overwhelming fear that at the time of my passing, one of the symbols of the time will be that a Katy Perry-esque whoever the new sham of the month is, had a song at the top of the billboard charts! Could there be anything more embarrassing to denote our music culture at that time? Ugh...I can only hope someone will be astute enough to look at my music library either online or in my cd cabinet and make some sort of reference to the fact that I did have good taste in music. Just one of the little things we are defined by and judged for, so it matters.  If I were being buried, I would demand that my favorite CD's be buried right along with me for everlasting comfort, however, I've left specific instructions that I be burned and ashes dumped in an urn, stoically placed on a mantel so I can spy on everyone in death and give them the bajeebers from my ashes haunting their presence whenever they glance my way.  No need to make any changes from this world to the netherworld.  The engraving on the silver plate on the front of the urn to state simply: "She lived vicariously through music."

What do you want to be defined by in your lifetime? What do you want known about you when you die? Is wondering what people will think when you've passed on to the music gods in the sky something that bothers you?  Yeah, me too. If you are being buried, what do you want written on your headstone?  I think about these things.  It's later than we think. 

**********

If you'll turn your attention to the top right ---> , you'll see I've added two new categories for Kindle purchases.  For KDP Select members, "Random Encounters" and "Bright Lights" are free!  You can't beat that, not even with a set of drum sticks.  Click on the book covers and it'll take you where to download to your personal Kindle.  This program doesn't allow Kindle sharing and you can only get each book you "borrow" one time, but it's a great opportunity to read great stories for free and pass the word on.  Just my little gift at the holidays.  A personal request when borrowing the free books available for any author, please go to the Amazon listing of the book and write a short review.  For independent authors, that is very important to us! We want to know what readers honestly think about our stories. It doesn't need to be a novel, just a short statement telling what you like about the story. I've written a few myself and I can tell you, the gratitude I get from authors is very satisfying.

Because the freebie at KDP Select requires they have sole rights to electronic format, "RE" and "Bright Lights" are only available there now in e-reader form.  You can still get paperback copies (my favorite way to read) at my website .

Hug somebody today! I'm still refraining, which means I feel really bad for whoever ends up being in the hugging position when the urge strikes me again.  Lookout!  :-D 

Musically yours,

~ K

**I hope I didn't offend anyone with my opinion of Katy Perry's, oh hell...I'm not even gonna call it music! Don't get your knickers in a knot.  I don't care for it, frankly I don't care for anyone who simply has no talent and should be making an honest living doing something more suitable, like inside a plastic clown wearing a headset, asking "do you want fries with that?"  I won't judge you if she's your taste in...ahem...music, but this is my blog.  I can speak openly about what I do and do not like, so get over it  *wink* :-D 

The art of being crazy in an insane world...hey Mom, what's for dinner?

"You gotta go a little loco to stay sane" ~ Roger Clyne

I write frequently about the daily grind, about how difficult it can be to get everything done that I need to in one day.  While working a full time day job, I also need dedicated time to write.  Truth be told, like most author friends I have, I'd prefer to be sitting here at the keyboard writing 24/7.  But...the realities of life being what they are, there are bills to pay and one needs a paying job to keep the wheels of a household turning.  To most people who know me, they scratch their heads and wonder how I make it all work, it seems an insane lifestyle. It is!  I won't even try to convince anyone it isn't.  I'm the first to admit my life is pure chaos most of the time.  I have these little snippets of quiet time in the wee morning hours when everyone else in the household is still either sleeping or is working and that gives me some time to organize my thoughts, plan my day and fit in everything I need to accomplish. Most everything. 

"We're a crooked little bloom full of moon perfume, ambrosia in a cup of clay" ~ Roger Clyne

And, like most other authors I know, writing inspiration can strike at any moment from any source.  I might be listening to music in the truck while driving, or working on a project in my office at my day job, or having conversation with someone when a little spark is ignited for an idea to write about.  I carry a pad and pen close at hand at all times and write down those little snippets so I don't forget them.  Likewise, next to the bed there is paper and pen for those middle of the night visions of grandeur.  I've actually written award winning poetry when woke from a dead sleep in the night. I figure our psyche is so relaxed at that time while our bodies and brains are at rest, the creative juices leak out when we least expect it. I've learned to always be prepared for that.  I also have dedicated time here at my keyboard to get more than just a few snippets written.  Many times going into the latest of the night when I've got momentum going to finish a short story, chapter, or the whole book.  The idea is, somehow we all make it work.  I see young moms with small children and wonder how they juggle it all.  I firmly believe God gave us kids when we're young for a reason.  I sure wouldn’t have the stamina to keep up with them now at my age!  Our bodies and minds are designed for such things.  As we age, we morph into doing things and thinking in ways that are streamlined and hopefully, a little simpler.  I'm not sure if it's acquired wisdom or if we just get so tired that we don't mess around with things anymore! I mean, I didn't have the discipline to write a complete story or novel when I was younger.  That didn't happen until I was much older and more settled. 

"Sometimes I slumber on a bed of roses, sometimes I crash in the weeds" ~ Roger Clyne

Giving thanks at this time of year is traditional.  Sometimes when life gives us lemons, it's hard to find something to be thankful for if we're hurting or down, or just received the umpteenth rejection letter.  I'm working diligently to be thankful for people who appreciate me, love me in spite of myself, and accept me with my faults.  I'm my own worst critic, so it's nice to know that there are those who don't see me as evil as I see myself because I'm not flawlessly perfect.  Perfection is ok to strive for, but being able to be content with less has always been my downfall.  If the turkey isn't exactly browned to perfection all over, if the pies get a crack in the crust, or if the yams could have used a little more cinnamon, I'll still smile and be thankful I have people in my life who help me get through each day.  Well...that and the wine that's gonna get me through a whole day of cooking and baking!

"If Ima poor poor devil, Ima lucky, lucky dog...If Ima low low life I'm livin' high on the hog" ~ Guess who? 

So get out the best china, polish up the silver, sparkle the crystal stemware and when you're in the midst of your holiday celebration of thanks, if you get stabbed on the back of your hand while reaching for that last turkey slice, think of me with my dysfunctional family (they all are) with all five of our dogs running through the house, my 17 year old grandson who is stowing his snowboard and coming down off of Lookout long enough to stay with Gramma for the holiday weekend, picture me with my favorite stemware and the red kool-aid *wink* that's keeping me sane through it all.  

"I was cryin' for a vision, I got static instead...boy, oh boy, I got a noisy head" ~ RC 

This blog has been brought to you in the company of all Roger songs, all day today.  It gives me great comfort and helps fuel my creative vehicle.  Check out Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers . It's a fun group of fans and the band always appreciates support. 

If you haven't already gotten your download of The Toluenes "Hola Santa", what the hell are you waiting for? It's free gift from the band for the holiday season.  I love those guys! Check out their music at the website. 

I still have copies of the limited edition of "Bright Lights, Money & Show Biz, Honey" along with "Random Encounters".  I've stocked up on "LifeLoveLust" to throw in with each or both when you order.  My website , or just click on one of the book cover images to the right and it'll get ya' there. 

Hug *lots* of people today!  We could all use some comfort. 

Redeemingly yours,

~ K

Hola! qué está sucediendo

Happy Friday, ya'll! Please check out my interview at Chastity Bush's website, it was a lot of fun to do!

Chastity's Romance News

Also, please show my good friends The Toluenes some love and download their free early Christmas gift "Hola Santa".   It's a fun song I think you'll enjoy!

I'm recovering from a battle with bronchitis and will be back in the blogging saddle again shortly.  With so many projects going on at once and being a little under the weather, I haven't been able to blog lately, but that will change!  With my crappy crippled immune system, something so simple could turn into something really serious so I have to slow down and take care of myself.  Thanks everybody for the kind well wishes.  It's comforting to know so many of you care *hugs*.  

Gobble gobble! It's almost time to smoke the bird  :-)

Virtually yours,

~ K