We not only lose a friend when they pass away, we lose the characters too. I’m extremely saddened by the passing of Sue Grafton. I recently finished “Y is for Yesterday” and dragged it out as long as I could knowing it would be a year before the final letter of the alphabet would be released and in my hands. Yes, I know I’m not Sue Grafton’s family, and my heart is broken for all of them, however, I loved her too. I’m not looking for condolences. This blog is not about my loss, but about being a fan of Sue Grafton’s. I’m full of respect and condolences to her family and would hope they know this blog is out of love and respect for her. As a writer myself, it’s also my way of recognizing what goes along with losing such an amazing author. And as many of you know, writing is a way of healing my heart…this blog is no exception.

It is as if Kinsey Millone became a friend I checked in with every year to see what was going on in her life. What adventure was she ready to take me this time? What was Henry, her landlord, up to these days? Of course, every time Kinsey told me what Rosie was serving at her restaurant I realized our taste in food may differ, seriously differ, but I loved her visits with Rosie and her restaurant just the same. All of Kinsey’s friends, old boyfriends, ex-husbands, old work friends, and reconnection to her family all became a part of my life, along with all the people she worked for through her Private Investigation cases.

Sue Grafton may not have been a personal friend of mine, but, again, I loved her just the same. I felt like I knew her through her characters, because as an author myself (not of Sue’s caliber, of course) – I put all of me into my characters. Many are created out of someone I know, including myself, and others are created through my imagination, but soon become just as real to me. I am a part of my books, and so are those I create. My husband gets concerned (murdered a few men in my imagination), but trust me, I’ll keep him safe. If I am a part of my books, I don’t doubt Sue Grafton was as well…in fact, Kinsey is modeled after Sue…how could I not love Sue if I love Kinsey.

The truth of the matter is as a reader I never thought about losing a favorite author to cancer or any other life-threatening event. Years of being a dedicated fan now come with the reality of age…theirs and mine. None of us go on forever, even if we wish it with all our heart, so the inevitable is just that…inevitable.

So, on that note, I’ll bid my friend a loving farewell, along with all her wonderful characters.

R.I.P. Sue Grafton, you will truly be missed.

Memories…short and sweet. I’m sure you’ll agree they are the most important gift. Many people experience the after-holiday-season letdown. We may be gearing up to ring in the New Year, but, for the most part, the holiday season is winding down.

I loved the night Dan, Kristin, Sav, Jo and I watched the movie Polar Express. Here I am all comfy on the couch with Sav and Jo. And though I have no physical picture I’ll always remember last night when Kristin, Sav, Jason, and I went to see the new Jumanji movie. But as fun as these movies were, it’s about being with family and friends.

This Christmas I was reminded that memories are not only created during the holiday season but throughout the year when I opened a gift from Jessica, my stepdaughter. It was from last spring when she flew in from Ohio for a visit. While she was here we went to a dessert shop for a goodie. It was on that day Jessica took this picture of me eating a flower (something she wasn’t sure of) that decorated my sweet treat. She made this fun frame to create a happy memory, and I can’t help but smile when I look at it.  

I know there are many people who have no one to make memories with, and others (including myself) hanging onto a memory of someone who has passed away. I can’t help but be grateful for my memories regardless of the time of year it is made.

I am quite certain the new iPhone or the pair of shoes I bought for myself during the holiday season will not hold their value, but the memories made with family and friends will. Our memories are all we have, and as I get older…and older…and older…this fact rings truer.

I know you have busy schedules, so I want to thank you for reading my ramblings, and I wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope you have a wonderful 2018 creating great memories of time with family and friends.

What am I counting down??? I’m counting down the days until we hit the road. That’s right; you heard me…my next adventure in life will be as a gypsy. At the end of this year, my husband and I will be putting everything in storage, and begin a year of traveling.

When I was a child we were camping at Salt Water Park. Close by there were gypsies camping, too. Their life seems very romantic to me…as did their style of dress and attitude. There was something raw about them that I couldn’t explain. After that, I decided I wanted to be a gypsy, but as time went on life situations stepped in front of my path and the dream of living on the road died away. All I wanted was a place to call home…my own little bubble.

Now that I’m retired you can find me most days either writing a novel, blog or fulfilling my photography dream. My husband and I do travel to other states to visit family and friends, but for the most part, we are fixtures in Washington. When Dan kept expressing the desire to travel around the country, I thought, “no way…I like having a place to call home.” Don’t get me wrong, I like traveling, but my idea is more of 2-4 weeks and back home again to family, my comfy bed and familiar surroundings. But his dream was significant to him, and as life would have it, we have the best opportunity at the end of this year. We have been looking for property to purchase, but since we haven’t found what we are looking for yet, and our lease ends in a couple of months, why not take advantage of our freedom.

Once I got my head around the idea of making a home for us on wheels for the next year, I have felt that forgotten stirring of my childhood come to life…as a gypsy. It will be our rules, our roads, and our decision as to where to go, as well as how long to stay. I’ll miss family and friends, but will be visiting others along our path.

Dan has made little comments about making our “almost” purchased travel trailer a forever home parked in the mountains somewhere. But when he gets tired of hearing me snore in a small confined area, I’m sure he’ll be ready to provide each of us with more “personal” space. As in a room at the other end of the house with a door so he can get some sleep…lol.

Either way, I’ll continue to blog so that I can share our adventure with all of you. I’ll still work on my biography (my current project), and will share my photos when possible. The next couple months will be busy, but I’ll be back in touch as time goes on. So, until then, I hope you enjoy life and make it your adventure.

Do you read it? I can honestly say it was the last of my priorities when I picked up a book. It was no more important to me than any other “miscellaneous page” that hovered outside the chapters I longed to read. I only wished to be carried away in mystery and suspense.

But that all changed as I prepared my first novel for publication about five years ago. Now, as I work on book six, the thought came to me to write this blog. Why? Because I finally understood myself how important the other pages are to an author. Every page holds special meaning.

Time after time I can’t help but wonder if readers do, in fact, read the acknowledgement page in my books. I know I’m always excited to start a new novel, but what about the before and after pages. If you are reading a book right now, do you remember who it is dedicated to? 

Here’s a little background on why I’m asking. I have special people in my life that have brought ideas to light for me. Whether it’s a character name they hope I’ll use, a photograph they are sure should be added, a contribution to the story, a twist to a plot that I in turn loved, or another important piece that became a part of my book.

My dedication page carries a bit of my heart. By reading that small line you might understand who may have inspired the book to begin with, or maybe that person simple encouraged me to push ahead with my dreams. 

Either way, those few extra pages are sometimes the foundation of the story held within. 

I hope by reading this blog you find yourself a little bit curious to check them out in your current or next read. And if the book is one of mine…even better. 

As always, thanks for reading my blog.

Happy reading, happy writing, happy life. 

Ahhhh….rain, rain, rain. I am a Pacific Northwest girl…born and raised. I’ve been to many other states, including a four-year stint in Thornton, Colorado. But here in the PNW…I’m home. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked by others throughout my travels, “Doesn’t it rain there all the time?” To which I answer “Yes” – my underlining goal is to keep the population down…lol. Sometimes I will end my response by letting the person know it’s more of a drizzle than rain. Either way, I figure most people aren’t into the gray and will think twice about packing up and moving to our mossy green area.

For me the rain is refreshing. It cleans the air and keeps the moisture at a comfortable level. I love the humidity we have, and so does my skin. I don’t snap, crackle, and pop every time I touch a piece of metal…or my husband for that matter. Fortunately, that only happens now and then, since we touch hands every time he walks past me if I’m sitting in my favorite chair. Living in Colorado, I had to use a humidifier because it was so dry. I was worried I was going to destroy my computer every time I used it. Let’s not forget the little fact that the little snap of electricity actually hurts.

Today as I sit here writing this blog the sky is not completely gray. There is a bit of sun trying hard to peak out. The rain from last night all but forgotten as a new day arrives. Will it rain sometime today, probably, but will it bring with it a fresher air…you bet. And let’s not forget that spring is around the corner bringing all those beautiful blossoms. Before we know it there will be an array of flowers, the rain will begin to choose its days a bit more sparsely, and the sun will greet us more often…sometimes for days at a time.

I do get weary of the rain, but that is life in the PNW. When the sun does shine, you will see an extra dose of smiles as you walk through the grocery store, or venture out to a park. No one here takes the sun for granted. But we also do not plan too many birthday parties or other social events outside in case Mother Nature has a surprise up her sleeve. Camping is as popular here as anywhere…and even I shake my head at my own decision to pitch a tent now and then. But we try regardless. Maybe because the fresh air calls us, or perhaps because a few days of the sun shining gave us a false sense of security.

Regardless of our journey in the PNW, we all look forward to the sun while we tough it out through the, what at times feels endless, rain. Why? Because we know it won’t last forever, and the sun will shine again in our Emerald City.