Hey, thanks to all of my facebook friends who responded to my cry for help this morning…  YOU DID IT.  (For those of you who aren’t facebook friends I asked them to help me top last months visits.)  At present we have 131 visits for this month as opposed to 128 for last month. YAY! 

I would love to hear some feed back on the posts too.  Let me know what you are thinking.

I have another request.  I am keeping pretty close tabs on how many books I sell and I’ll get a report from the fulfillment center for WinePress every three months but I would love love love it if you could let me know if you ordered my book online.  Just send me a note at info@doublecousins.net  or even comment on this blog and I’ll compile a number from there.  Also it will help me establish an email list so when the next book comes out I can notify all of you! 🙂  Oh the next book… yes I have been studiously avoiding working on that today!

We all know what comfort foods are and we all have our favorites.  Mine, of course, is chocolate.  Followed closely by ice cream.  No, I take that back.  I think it’s the other way around!  Anyway, there are those foods that just speak to our inner beings, they make us feel good!  Tonight I had another one of my favorites, tacos.  Then there is spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, corned beef and cabbage,  potato soup, tomato soup, homemade turkey and rice soup, homemade bread… oh dear.  I better stop or I’ll be hungry!  Can you tell I’m on a diet… that’s where eating too much comfort food will get you. 

Lately though, I’ve been thinking about “comfort books.”  I have several.  Those would be the books that I pick up when I’m having a tough day and I just want to take a break, relax, enjoy the story, and not think too hard.  For me, mysteries do it.  Mysteries like the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman, or The Cat Who series by Lillian Jackson Braun are two of my favorites.  They are considered cozy mysteries (just the name sounds like a comfort food doesn’t it?)  When I was a kid it was the Trixie Belden mysteries.  I am definitely a character driven reader.  I really couldn’t care less about the mystery at hand which is the main reason I can do the unthinkable and read the end before I get there.  You see, once I have begun to care about the characters it’s all over because then I start to worry that the author will kill a main character off, or something bad is going to happen and I just HAVE to read the end.  I love watching the character’s lives unfold over the course of several books.  When I’m needing comfort I like to pick one up I’ve read before and it’s like an old friend.

There are also comfort books that we knew in the past but have lost contact with.  The other day I heard the word “gargoyle” somewhere and I instantly had the title, “The Prettiest Gargoyle” pop into my head.  This was a book I read somewhere back in the early 70’s but it obviously made an impression.  I looked it up, found a used copy online and ordered it.  Last week I spent an afternoon rereading it.  What a treat.  An afternoon with an old friend.

My hope for the Double Cousins series is to create a series that can be comfort books for another generation.  The best part is that it won’t make them fat!

I asked my husband if “ambiguosity” is a word.  His response was… “I suppose”.  That’s good enough for me. 🙂

Yesterday I was asked how I felt seeing the book finished and in print.  I found it a little hard to come up with words that would express the feeling.  It’s a good feeling, don’t get me wrong.  But maybe this is one of those times when I can say, “word’s just don’t express.”  That isn’t what an interviewer wants to hear though,  so I tried.  “It is awesome,” I said.  That sounds cutsie, I thought.  So I followed it with, “It is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.”  That doesn’t cover it either.  After that I rambled a bit (don’t ask how much coffee I had downed) about my lack of faith that it would ever really come to be, my amazement that I had actually accomplished this dream, and my certainty that without my husband’s encouragement and my Grandma’s repeated queries as to “how that book is coming” I wouldn’t have finished it…  I could have gone on as to all of the other people who were instrumental in the accomplishment… the Black Hills Writers Group, my parents and siblings, my nieces and nephews who took the job of chief naggers VERY seriously sometimes…

This is not just my accomplishment, but many people’s.  So it is an awesome feeling.  It is a wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It is a “can this really have happened to me” moment… it is all of that.  But there is this little bit of ambiguoisity that pops up now and then.  For instance…

When cleaning my house last week I stood over the stacks of boxes in my living room  and I felt a little ambiguous.  What have I done?  What am I ever going to do with all of these books?  Sell them, of course…. but what if I don’t.  Then what do you do with 7 boxes of books (not to mention the ones hanging out in each vehicle and at the house in NC or at my parent’s house in SD.  I’ll put  them in the guest room.  I’ll cover them with a pretty blanket or cloth and use them as a suitcase stand!  Brilliant.  But what about the rest… hum…  I glanced around the living room and AHA!  Those two chairs could sure use an end table between them… 

So now you know at least one good use for “books waiting for a home.”  Make furniture out of them. 🙂  Hopefully they will sell quickly enough that the new furniture doesn’t have time to collect dust…

Last Monday we gathered again in Broken Bow to say goodby to my Grandma.  We came from three of the four corners of our country with the  majority arriving from the Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota area!   We traveled by plane, by car, and even a few of us in the “one eyed wonder”.  We came, sad for our loss but so thankful Grandma wouldn’t be suffering anymore.  We cried, we laughed, we sang, we shared memories, we ate great food, and… oh yes… I sold books.  Yes, I did.  I admit it.  I sold books out of the trunk of my Daddy’s car.

What???  How could you?  Well… read my book and you will understand.  Or, at least, you may begin to understand.  You see… it’s a tradition.

My great-uncle, Ervin Jones was known as Trader Jones.  In my book I very creatively (hah!) called him Trader Johnson.  He was called this for an obvious reason.  He always had a trunk full of interesting stuff, stuff that someone would NEED.  As in my book, he always showed up at the ranch with cowboy boots in various kids sizes so that we would have them to wear when we visited.  Once he even traded the hat right off his head.  In the book he is the one character that is completely recognizable.  He would have been proud of me!  Especially when I sold his granddaughter a book.

But what about your grandparents?  Let me tell you about my Grandpa Jones.  When he was in his mid-seventies he decided that he remembered a lot of things no one else did.  He had memories that would soon be lost to everyone.  So he wrote them down.  He wrote three books over the next several years and self published them.  He then spent the next several years selling them to anyone and everyone he came in contact with.  He carried them around in his Bronco.  I remember him selling them to people sitting beside him at rodeos, around town, anywhere he went.  I’m pretty sure he had them in his Bronco at a few funerals…

Then there is Grandma.  My Grandma was extremely proud of the fact that I was writing some of our stories down.  Stories that happened on their ranch.  Stories that were from one of the best times of her life.  She had a hard life, especially as a child and a young bride during the depression.  When someone commented to her about “the good old days” her response was… “they weren’t that good.”  So once they started making a living on the ranch it was easier to enjoy life.  She loved having her children and grandchildren around.  They were the best times of her life.  Even up until her death she always perked up when the children came into her room.  She lived the last few years on anticipation for the next family reunion or gathering when she would see all of the new babies. 

So, while it may seem strange to an outsider that I would have books with me at the funeral it seemed completely normal and expected.  I didn’t pull them out until someone asked for one.  Then no one blinked an eye.  They grinned and told me I was turning into George Jones.  I’d call that a compliment!   They laughed and  questioned if I was becoming Uncle Ervin.  And they were  glad I brought books.  After all, why spend money on shipping if you don’t have to.  Oh, but that’s another thing we learned from our grandparents.  Frugality!

One of the primary reasons we decided to go ahead and publish this book last December was my Grandma Jones.  I felt the best place to launch the book was in Broken Bow, NE at the fair.  It made sense considering that’s where part of the book took place.  The fair only happens once a year, the first week in August and last December, when we were considering this option my Grandma was 96.  I desperately wanted Grandma to see the finished product since she IS the Grandma in the book.  She has also been my best and most constant encourager over the years.  Almost every time I would call her she would ask, “how is your book coming, Miriam?”  She was excited when I gave her the rough draft shortly after finishing it and she read it with great delight.  So, when I realized that the chances of having another year at the fair with Grandma still around were not very likely,  my husband and I decided to go for it. 

Sure enough, after 7 months of work, nail biting, and angst, the finished product came squeaking in just in the nick of time.  We made it to the fair with the book in hand and I even was able to read some of it to Grandma.  She was delighted to see it and hold it in her hands, even though she wasn’t able to see it clearly, or really concentrate on the book.  She enjoyed all of the activity surrounding the books launch too.   

Last week I went home for a book signing and to go help Grandma celebrate her 97th birthday.  She was in pain, tired, and frustrated with her inability to enjoy the day like she wanted and we all hurt with her.  My Dad had commented after the fair that God was still using her as a testimony to others and she was bringing glory to Him through her thankful attitude even in the face of such minimal “quality of life.”  He pointed out that when God’s purpose for her was done, then He would release her to go  to heaven.

Early this morning He did just that and my Grandma stepped into heaven.  She sees perfectly now.  She can walk, run, and express her thoughts clearly again.  There is no pain.  She is with Grandpa and all of the others that have gone on before her.  And, most importantly, she is with Jesus.  I am thankful that she was my Grandma.  I am thankful that she was such a godly lady, one who lived the verse from Proverbs 31.  Verse 26 says, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”  I NEVER heard Grandma say anything unkind about anyone.  I only wish that could be said about me. 

I hope you have someone in your life that has been your example of a godly woman.  I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her influence.  I will miss her desperately, but I am so glad she is finally home.

Finally Home by Don Wyrtzen

Chorus 1
But just think of stepping on shore
And finding it heaven
Of touching a hand and finding it God’s
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial
Of waking up in glory and finding it home

Verse 1
When engulfed by the terror
Of tempestuous sea
Unknown waves before you roll
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity
Though fear and conflict seize your soul

Verse 2
When surrounded by the blackness
Of the darkest night
O how lonely death can be
At the end of this long tunnel
Is a shining light
For death is swallowed up in victory

In my last post I wrote about the book related opportunities I was going to have during my visit to South Dakota.  There was also the birthday party for my Grandma.  Grandma Jones, THE Grandma in my book, turned 97 last week and those family members who were able to gathered in Broken Bow to help her celebrate.  She was happy to see us, but as expected at 97 she tired too easily and was frustrated by her inability to really spend time with all of us.  We were just glad for the opportunity to remind her how much we love her and how thankful we are for her.  I like reminding her that she started all of this.  “Who’d have thunk 79 years ago when you married Grandpa that there would be over 100 direct descendents!”  She shakes her head and agrees.  She can hardly believe it’s been that long…

The other two opportunities were a book signing and a visit to my nephews’ school.  The visit to the school prompted a quick finish to the power point presentation my husband created for me.  While I was visiting with my family, signing books at Walden Books in the mall, and driving to Nebraska for the birthday, he was busily creating an awesome power point.  After some angst on my part over how to get it to load on my computer etc… (I’m NOT a computer person) I had it in hand.  I was even able to show it to my Aunt Twyla and Uncle Tom as well as my sister,  her children, and my parents.  What a gift I have in this husband of mine!!!  Anyway, I digress…

The book signing was fun.  I really don’t mind sitting in front of a book store watching people go by.  It’s fun to talk to the people who stop and thrilling to sell a few books.  I was absolutely delighted to get to see my friend Barb from the Writers Group in Rapid City.  She is what I aspire to be as a writer.  The other friends who stopped by were a delight too. 

As much fun as that was I have to admit… the school visit was MY FAVORITE!  I love being in front of the children, talking to them about anything is so fun, but when it can be about my book – priceless!  My nephews were as proud as they could be and I found my new friend – the smart board and flash drive.  Wow!  They are awesome. 

So, here I am with a published book AND an opportunity to share in the lives of children.  God has blessed me beyond measure in this endeavor and I’m sure whatever comes next will be good too!

Yesterday I flew home to SD.  Home is relative, that is to say, where my relatives are.  Of course, “HOME home” is where my heart is which is SC since my husband is there…

So, what brings me back to Rapid City so soon after visiting this summer?  AHHH, the book.  What a great excuse. 🙂  Tomorrow, September 26 I’ll have a book signing at Walden Books in Rushmore Mall.  I am excited and I find it kind of funny that I almost didn’t go into that store.  When I was making the rounds of the bookstores in Rapid City I was a little discouraged and tired by the time I was approaching the mall.  I thought, they won’t be interested… they will have to check with their corporate office… and all of the other negative thoughts that bombard me when I’m doing this task.  But, since I KNEW I would never know unless I tried I went on in.  BINGO!  “Yes!  We will get your book.”  WONDERFUL!  Followed by these awesome words… “would you like to do a book signing the end of September.”  Of course!  That would be lovely.

The added benefit is that the end of September is my Grandma’s birthday.  So now I have two lovely reasons to come home.  I’ll be throwing in a trip down to Nebraska to help her celebrate!  Ah, a road trip with my sister and her kids!  Add that to the 12 nieces and nephews, two parents, siblings, siblings-in-law, etc. etc. etc. and I’m just awash in good reasons to be here.

As if that isn’t enough another opportunity popped up.  Three of my nephews are in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades and their teachers are enthusiastic about having me come and talk to them about my book and the writing process.  WOW!  Not only do I get to share about my book, but I get to make my nephews day! 

So, if you are anywhere near Rapid City, SD come to Walden Books in the mall Saturday, September 26th for my book signing.  If I know you I’d love to see you.  If I don’t I’d love to meet you.

A few weeks ago I was offered the awesome opportunity to speak to the 3rd-5th graders at Newberry Elementary School.  Of course I said yes.  I was thrilled with the opportunity.  But!  But, now!  Now I must figure out what I am going to say and HOW!  250 plus students are going to be expecting to hear exciting things come from my mouth for 45 minutes.  It strikes terror in my heart. 

So, I decided I needed a visual aid.  Aha!  A power point would be great… and I know just the man for the job. 🙂  I have developed my outline including ideas for graphics and today my husband, Bruce has been helping (aka doing it all) with the power point.  I am getting exceedingly excited about it.  Just watching the story of my book and how it came to be as it  builds on the computer screen is an experience I’ll never forget.  It just reminds me of what a blessed heritage I have.  To have known my grandparents so well, and to have record of their lives in book form and on tape…  priceless!

This week is my Grandma, Mildred Jones’ 97th birthday.  Not many people my age still have a grandparent living and I sure am glad I’m one of them.  Happy Birthday Grandma!  I love you.

I just want to say that I get the biggest kick out of watching the blog stats.  Today there were a whopping 29 so far!  That’s the most ever, I think.  I have faithfully been watching the stats – so faithfully in fact that I am running out of time for writing.  Hummmm. 

Of course, watching stats isn’t the only way I’ve been procrastinating.  I’ve found over the past 10 years that I get more organizing done when I’ve promised myself I’ll write.  For instance, yesterday I went through three drawers of my file cabinet sorting through years of old papers.  I whittled it down to one drawer and leaving an empty drawer for writing “stuff” and one for bills.  Excellent!  Next I moved to the big free standing brown pantry/cupboard I use in my office.  I am 2/3 of the way through organizing that.  Wonderful!  I even found some letters my friend had her students write me after she read them a rough draft of my book a few years ago!  I just might have to put those on my website, www.doublecousins.net. (Rather, have my webmaster, aka my husband Bruce do it! )  But, no writing took place yesterday.  The closest I came to writing was starting to plan a presentation for the students at Newberry Elementary School.

Today did I write?  No, not yet.  Except for this of course!  BUT, my pantry has been completely organized thanks to the help of my husband… and a fit of procrastination.

Today I’m going to promote my book some more.  Yesterday I was busy with that project.  First I went to the revenue office and registered for a license to charge sales tax.  That cost $50.00 here in the state of SC.  Next I visited four bookstores and will follow up for possible book signings in two of them.   I visited 4 bookstores and came out with only one book!  WOW!  That’s a new record. 

After coming home I went online and sent press releases or emails to area news outlets and then wrote a blog about The Ranch. 

So, what’s the plan for today?  Today I am having a makeover!  What does that have to do with promotion?  Just another tool I guess.  My Mary Kay lady  called me the other day to see if I would like to have a makeover and be featured in her portfolio.  In addition to placing “before and after” pictures in  her portfolio, she will also include my business card or promotional materials.

So, there you have it.  Where promotion meets makeover!  I’m pretty sure my Grandpa Jones never thought of this when he was selling his books. 🙂  On the other hand, I bet he would approve.