Honor those who passed, thank those who still serve

Just a few thoughts about today, Memorial Day. Every day people, your neighbors, family, the farmer's son, the bankers daughter, the bus drivers nephew and the teachers niece, they've all felt the call to serve and protect our country. What calls them? What is it that compels these everyday people to put on a uniform, endure the hell and sometimes derogation of boot camp in some of the worst conditions imaginable? Yes, at one point most had no choice, drafted before they could make the simplest of decisions concerning their lives, while others gladly marched off to war without having to be summoned.

I think of these things often. I wonder what makes a man or woman choose military life over cooperate life. Is there a microscopic speck in our DNA that leads our soldiers on this journey as opposed to wrapping themselves up in a suit and tie and living the so called American dream?

I don't know the answer to this. What I do know is I'm eternally grateful for their service, dedication and sacrifice. Without the many who lay down their lives, we would not have the things we take for granted today. When I think about the disgraceful way our soldiers were treated when they returned from Nam, it sickens me, but when I see the names of the lost so beautifully inscribed on a polished black wall I know we've learned our lesson. Lessons we wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn without our brave soldiers.

So, today, I say a prayer for those who lost their lives defending the very freedoms people even today try to take away and say thank you to those still fighting, still sacrificing and still dying for our safety.

It doesn't matter if you believe in the cause. It doesn't matter what your political beliefs are. It all comes down to our country would not be our country without those who passed and those who still serve.

Thank you serving and retired soldiers. Thank you to their families who live their lives worrying and scraping together the fragments of time they share. Thank you for giving my children safety and security while you watch your children grow up through pictures.

Just one American citizen forever grateful.

Cyber Launch Party

I'm having a Cyber Launch Party at www.cyberlaunchpart.blogspot.com hosted by Author Island today. Stop on over and leave a comment to win a free autographed copy of Black Smoke. Ask questions if you'd like, I'll be checking in off and on to answer any questions you may have.

It's been a few weeks since my last post and I apologize for that. Life is taking over in a big way this month. School is coming to an end and everything happens in May. Concerts, field trips and now orthodontist appointments. Two in one week. Oyyy! Adding to all the hubbub, I have a rather nasty cold or something settling in my throat and chest making breathing very difficult and sleeping necessary but almost impossible. Hate these late season bugs.

I'm trying to work on my WIP and finish it up before the kids are home full time and begin demanding every second of my attention. Will I finish? Stay tuned....

That's about all the energy I have for blogging today...blogging...that word sounds like me coughing right now, ick. Stop by the Cyber Launch Party, please. You could win a free copy of Black Smoke.

Have a good one everybody and stay healthy.

Happy reading.......

Another month passes

My virtual book tour for Black Smoke officially ended April 30th. My gratitude to Pump Up your Book for the time and connections she gave me. A truly worthy organization, worth your money if you're looking for help promoting your book. I received outstanding reviews and dipped my foot in the world of guest blogging. Guest blogging turned out to be fun. At first, I thought I wouldn't be very good at it, but with each one, I had more fun.

So, now we're into May and I can't wait to find out if my sales numbers jumped for April. I thank everyone that read by guest blogs, interviews and reviews.

I'm nearly finished with my current WIP, which is great. Down side, I have no where to submit it at the moment. My regular publisher has put a hold on accepting submissions and no one seems to know when they'll lift the hold. I could try and submit this book to another publisher but since it links back to Black Smoke and the Agents of Mercy series, I think I better wait.

I'll hold it for awhile and see what happens. In the mean time I'll begin work on another story to submit elsewhere. I've been wanting to get in with another publisher so I'll give it a shot. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

On the racing front, April 30 was race night at the Clinton County Speedway and my son's third race of the season. It turned out to be a good night. He hit someone after the first lap of his heat race, (the race that determines where you start in the main race) That incident broke the nose of his car.

Now, we're a low budget racing family so we had to use what we had to put it back together, which turned out to be ratchet straps, duct tape and zip ties. It wasn't pretty, down right ugly, but it worked and he made it out for the main race, which he finished!!!!!!! YaY!!!!! He said, "That's a win for me!"

We're very proud of him. He finished 15 out of 18 but he FINISHED and with the troubled we've had with the set up of the car, we'll take it. He still has a lot to learn about driving, how to set the car through the turns and how not to bounce off other cars when he does it, but that will come with lap time. The more he gets his butt in the seat behind the wheel, the better he'll get. Currently, he's 13th in points at the track in the ProStock division. If he continues to finish most races and works his way up in the field, he could finish in the top 10 for the season. Time will tell.

On a side note, I'm meeting an old school friend tomorrow, someone I haven't seen in twenty????? years. I can't wait. Not only has facebook hooked me up with other authors and readers, I've been able to find and catch up with old friends. Its great.

Have a great one, day, night, afternoon, week, month whatever..just make it good.

Happy reading.....