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.
It’s not the same in our home right now, but it’s still a “wonderful time of year.” Though the totes of decorations remain in storage, Dan did hang our front door wreath. Guess he felt we needed something to bring the holiday in to greet visitors. We are down to the last few weeks push before we hit the road…and this has been an adventure in and of its own. Instead of storing all of our furniture, we decided to sell it (minus our antique pieces)…how hard can it be, right? Part of my dilemma was the proverbial question of when, where, and how. Dan calmed the storm in my brain by reminding me if we sold everything before we were ready to drive away, we have a beautiful new camper to sleep in…oh, yeah, right…lol. So, I took pictures, edited to add corresponding numbers to match the list of items, and posted them on Craigslist, and FB Marketplace. Then a friend mentioned “OfferUp” as a selling avenue. I looked at the website, and journeyed around in an effort to understand, but found I was too tired that day to figure out how to post/edit/sell. When she and another dear friend of mine had lunch and a Christmas movie day she asked if I was using OfferUp. I admitted my lack of tolerance for grasping another selling avenue.
By the next morning…and I mean the wee hours, I decided to check it out again to determine if I wanted to go through the work to post on the 3rd selling avenue. After all, it was 3am…not like I had anything better to do. After carefully dissecting and touring the website I figured it out, and by 5am (two hours = old brain) I had all twenty-one items tagged, listed, and posted. What shocked me was within a few seconds of posting the last item I had interested buyers flooding in. The email/message process was in full swing. When Dan got up about 8:30am, I had sold (potentially) five items, including our boat/trailer. The day continued in that crazy mode to the point I had to have a notebook so I could list who wanted to buy what, and when they wanted to pick the item up. It was like being at work again…full speed ahead.
Three days have past and we have sold all but a couple items…Merry Christmas to me. But, …lol…you knew there would be “a but”…that is not where the story ends. Now, understand that I do, indeed, love my husband and I have since put my broomstick away and calmed down from this situation. Picture this…we, and by that I mean Dan, had just helped a buyer pick up the front porch plant stand…and this is how the conversation went when he came back in the apartment:
Dan: You need to take a picture of the table on the porch and post it for $20.
Me: What table, the gal already picked it up…remember? You took it to her car.
Dan: You need to take a picture of the table on the porch and post it for $20.
Me: What are you talking about???
Dan: You need to take a picture of the table on the porch and post it for $20.
Me: Daniel, what are you talking about???
No answer – my blood is warming up here folks…
I open the door and find a table I’ve never seen before, sitting in all its glory, before my eyes.
Me: Where did you get that thing?
Dan: You need to post it for $20.
Well, you wonderful people who are actually still reading this blog, I’ll tell you the words were flying out of me so fast and furious they bounced around putting dents on the walls. The mission of these not-so-kind words was to make my sweet husband know I was NOT running a business here. I was NOT selling other peoples items they have put in the trash for the recycler. He had a great idea for us to earn an extra $20…and I, under no uncertain terms, told him it was not happening.
Needless to say, I’ve stuck to my guns (my stubborn streak runs deep) and not offered, through any avenue, this lovely trashed out table. And there it still sits…
Table aside (three days later), we spent Sunday morning with family enjoying an early Christmas celebration due to school break schedules. We arrived on time and were greeted by a grandchild, Jo, running to thank us for the pajamas. Every year since Sav and Jo were babies, I have given them “Christmas Eve” pajamas. I know there may come a day when they outgrow that one package to open on Christmas Eve, but until then it’s a tradition we all enjoy. The house was festive, smelling of breakfast and hot chocolate. Everyone was generous with their hugs, smiles, and laughter…especially when my husband pushed his tie button (the Rocky theme) and pretended he had no idea where the music was coming from…he is a hoot. It was a beautiful morning and one I’ll treasure forever.
Dan and I will continue to pack/sell/toss as we come to the end of our journey at the apartment, and begin our new adventure. Tensions can be evident at times, but we know it’s not to be taken personally. Other times are filled with playing cards and having a good laugh over one of our favorite shows. Oh, yeah, and then there is me crying over a Christmas movie, often one I’ve watched every year for more than I can remember. Including with that scene is Dan checking to be sure I’m okay by reminding me I’ve seen the movie before, and me explaining “every time is like the first time” as the tears stain my face. All of these moments are part of the adventure..and I know that regardless of decorations, or should I say lack-there-of, busy schedules, packing/selling/tossing and being sure the cable etc has a shutdown date, along with a P.O. Box ordered…it’s a wonderful time of the year after all.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all…xoxoxo
I have two titles for this blog…and couldn’t decide so there you go. Many of you know my husband, Dan, and I will be traveling around the states for about a year once we get past the holidays. With all that comes the drudgery of packing, deciding what to take, what to store, and what to sell to keep the storage costs down.
I started with the lightest to move items, my photography backdrops, and a backdrop stand. They are in good shape, multiple scenes, colors, and patterns. I hoped to get them to someone who is starting photography or adding to their current setup. Putting feelers out didn’t drum up a sell, so I went to the next option…Craigslist. I posted photos of the equipment so that the potential buyer would get a visual. Then headed off to meet my daughter and friends for a fun meet & greet lunch. On my way to the restaurant, I received a text. Now, I promise I don’t normally check a text, for the most of 99.9%, but I wanted to be sure it wasn’t my daughter canceling due to a work/child emergency before I got on the freeway. It was someone responding to my ad…wow, I thought to myself, it’s only been a couple of hours.
When I park at the restaurant, I read the email stating this person’s mom would be interested and I was to email the mom at the provided Gmail account. Sounds good so far…right?
My lunch took priority, so when I returned home a few hours later, I proceeded to let this person know I heard of her interest and to please contact me when she would like to make the financial/item exchange.
Dan and I headed out to run an errand that evening to purchase a car alarm for his truck…it has been broken into twice over the past week and a half…(insert very unhappy face here). While he drove I noticed an email from the “mom”…so I opened it. Reading her story sounded legit, so I provided the information (my full name and address) she needed to get a Cashier’s Check to me. I was to cash it and then make arrangements for someone to pick up the items for her. She said her husband handles the finances and was out of town…so the check would be overnighted from his destination.
Okay…let me insert here that I have gone off Paxil, due to a health concern, and even though we reduced the dose down while getting off, withdrawals are pretty much inevitable…my brain has been misfiring a bit as the withdrawals take over (not fun). My zapping neurons didn’t see any issues. Until the middle of the night when I woke up in a panic realizing I was about to become the victim of a SCAM operation. I picked up my phone at 2:30 am and emailed the “mom” telling her I will not accept the check. If she was interested in the items, she will have to come up with cash, and meet me in a public place – I suggested the Lynnwood Police Dept.
I didn’t hear back for a couple of days. Whew…that’s off my yuck detector. Then suddenly someone else tries to do the same SCAM deal. I quickly deflected this new intruder. Later that day I hear from the first one saying the check is on the way…good grief, what about cash/police didn’t she get. In the email, she is saying the check will be for considerably more than the sale price…that I am to deposit to my bank, withdraw what I have coming to me…along with transfer fees…what are those for you ask??? Well, she told me once the check clears, I was to withdrawal the remaining amount and wire transfer it to UPS…the instructions are endless and blurring my eyes at this point.
Anyhow, I blasted back I was NOT accepting the check and that the items had been sold (yes, a lie…but I felt justified). Well, guess what came in the mail today. A Cashier’s Check for $1,500.00 – yes, that is $1,350.00 more than what I was selling my items for. Naturally, I won’t be doing the depositing…transferring…or any other business.
I hope you are still reading at this point because here is the real reason for writing this blog. How many times do these people get away with these, or other scamss like it?? Obviously enough to be profitable or they wouldn’t keep going. I would love to take this check to the police and get an investigation going, but they don’t have time for this…hence, the reason these “SINNERS’ can continue to exploit good American people. I stand by that assumption partly because when Dan’s truck was broken into the first time (they used a slim jim), they left their Walkie-Talkie…nice to know these thieves communicate during “their” business hours. We put in a report and got a case number, but when we told them we had evidence they could get prints off, they told us they wouldn’t bother with it, and instructed us to throw it in the garbage. To top it off some of Dan’s tools, and paperwork was found by a man who lives close to our apartment. He called the police, and get this; they told him just to throw the stuff out. Thankfully, he is a better citizen than that, so he dug around and found Dan’s cell number and called him. Next thing we know we are standing in front of a man with Dan’s items in his hands. We didn’t get everything back, but it was something.
However, this is exactly why good American citizens are getting scammed, ripped off, robbed, and violated. There are so many Whales swimming around that the police have to handle that these little “Sinning Minnows” can easily swim past without being noticed.
I know there isn’t anything I can do about it, but I feel better talking to all of you and hoping you can see past the slime that slithers amongst our good people.
Take care everyone; we only have each other and God to see us through.
As for the original items, I was selling, and the furniture I will be selling as “Moving Sale” items…I’ll be doing more research in an attempt to find legitimate post avenues. I’m sorry to be a Debbie Downer during the holiday season, but, unfortunately, crime doesn’t take a vacation, so fighting back can’t either.
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.