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Scatter-brained, Satisfied and Stowing Stuff

9/28/2013

In my last post, I announced that The Blue Coyote would be free for Kindle yesterday, September 27. Wrong. It's today, Saturday, September 28. Another whoops.

On the plus side, the total sales of my books reached 900 yesterday. Yippee! Total downloads of my free books is over 9000. I know people don't read everything they download for free--I certainly don't. But if even 10% do, that's another 900. The free downloads do several things. They generate more reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. It also gets your name out there. And almost always after a free day, sales of all books go up, including the one you just offered for free. Go figure.

And it is time for another trip. Next week, several of us will be headed to Lanesboro, Minnesota and the Root River Trail. This, of course, is the basis of my newest book, Peete and Repeat. One of my tasks while I'm there is to return to the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center with a copy of the book for them as thanks for all the help they gave me. The forecast has been changing day by day, but that won't prevent a trip to the Aroma Pie Shop in Whalan. I always get a kick out of going by the Stone Mill Suites in downtown Lanesboro. It was the site (in the 40s, I believe) of my grandfather's first poultry business, Lanesboro Produce, run by him and his friend 'Specs' Wilson. Of course there will be bike rides--at least one day has to be dry, right?--and maybe a visit to the real purple goat farm, which I can't remember the name of right now. More confusion.

So, it's time to get out warmer clothes, replace all the items I have removed from the camper in the last couple of weeks (lime juice, popcorn, etc.), and come up with some cool weather menus--not needed on the last few trips. That should bring warm weather for sure.

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More Freebies

9/25/2013

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I thought this was National Book Week but actually that was in August; this is Banned Book Week. Even though I've written three books, so far none have been banned so I'll have to try harder. But meanwhile, in honor of all books, banned or otherwise, The Blue Coyote will be free for Kindle this Friday, September 27. This is an opportunity to get to know Frannie and her camping friends--on the cheap! I would appreciate honest reviews on Amazon if you feel so inclined. If nothing else, you could explain why it ought to be banned. That should help sales!

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Dying a Little Bit at a Time

9/23/2013

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I'm a war baby. During the Depression and the war, birth rates were way down and ours was a very small generation. We are so small that we don't have a name or even a president. Not one president was born between 1924 and 1946. Clinton, Bush Jr., and Obama are all Boomers.* So we have kind of sneaked through life sandwiched between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers and no one noticed us much. No big deal; but the upshot is that most of the attention just misses us, especially research and advice. The media began looking at college preparation and choice shortly after I got my BA, They focused on issues raising toddlers as our kids entered high school. 'Empty nest' became a common term long after our birds had flown the coop. We were in our late 50s when magazine articles began to worry about middle-aged crisis.

So what's the point here? Well, as we have aged, we haven't had the benefit of much outside guidance and have had to discover things about getting old on our own. So there was no advance warning to me from talk shows or Dear Abby about the most disturbing realization of aging. And that is, that you aren't going to get it all done.

When you are young, it's like a kid with a toy catalog: "I want that...and that...and that..." There is no limit. So you think "Someday I'm going to build a log cabin on a lake" and a few days later, "Someday I want to visit China." And so on. It's not a bucket list because there is no deadline, no end in sight. So never once do you think, 'Well, if I build a log cabin, I won't have time to visit China. Ever.' But in your seventies, you have to face that fact. Not that you can't do those particular two things, but that you can't do everything. You realize that even though you're not at the end of your road, you can see the exit.

So I have accepted that I am not going to live and write in a garret in Paris or become a Rockette. This will be a shock to some but I have given up on perfecting my triple axel. I don't think I will run for Congress or sail around the world in a small boat. Actually, this acceptance should make life simpler.

I am not trying to be morbid here; I just want to give you Boomers a head's up to expect lots of discussion of this topic in about five years. Meanwhile, I wonder if I have time to learn a few French verbs this morning...

* This is not to say that we have had no impact. This no-name generation includes the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Barbara Streisand, John Denver, Nelson DeMille, Robert deNiro, Wilma Rudolph, and John Kerry, to name a few.

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Who Goes Camping?

9/21/2013

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(To the tune of "Who Wears Short Shorts?") It always intrigues me to learn the various reasons other people are in campgrounds. Often they are not only looking for a few days of relaxation. And of course, they could be fodder for my next book.

I believe I mentioned earlier the two sisters camped across from us at Ledges a few weeks ago. One was from Kansas and one from Wisconsin; they try to meet somewhere every summer for some sister time. But the woman from Kansas is also a member of Sisters on the Fly--a fascinating organization of women especially interested in outdoor activities: fishing, hiking, camping, etc. Many have restored vintage campers that are works of art. Their slogan on their website is "We have more fun than anyone." An enviable goal.

Last week at Thomson Causeway there were a couple of towing vehicles with a NOMADS logo on the side. At first we thought it was a business logo but discovered it is a Methodist organization of retirees who travel around the country in RVs helping with church related projects. NOMADS stands for Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service--although some jokesters call it 'Nice Old Methodists Avoiding Deep Snow' because the focus on projects in the South during the winter months.

A couple of years ago we were camped at Pine Lake State Park near Eldora and happened upon some railcar enthusiasts. These members of NARCOA restore the little railcars, or 'Speeders,' that used to inspect tracks for maintenance and they look like something Sponge Bob Squarepants would drive. The organization gets permission to used abandoned tracks or tracks that are not in use full time for excursions lasting from one day to several. Many are painted and decorated in bright colors and look like a giant's toy train coming down the tracks. Check out the photos on their website.

You may also see interesting apparel and rigs in a campground when there is a Buckskinner's Rendezvous going on nearby. These historical reenactors dress like mountain men, fur traders, Native Americans or anyone who took part in the yearly trading gatherings in the Old West. There are contests for tomahawk throwing and muzzle loader guns. Members sell everything from cast iron cookware to handmade baskets, jewelry and folding furniture. They camp only with pre-1840 equipment and dress the part.

Not everyone is a member of some organized group, of course. We have seen family reunions take up whole sections of a campground, with everyone sporting matching t-shirts and license plates from across the country. Some folks are visiting family in the area or on a cross-country trek trying to hit as many states as possible.

And some--like us--are often just looking for that relaxing few days.

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Thomson Causeway

9/14/2013

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Finally found my memory card reader--in the drawer where it's supposed to be. Now if I could just locate my memory. Wooh.

Anyway, I had to post this photo of everyone with their mouths full. Says a lot about camping. This was the first night-HOT-when the Halds provided a great taco salad bar. Because of the temps, we didn't have a fire.

This park, which is actually a Corps of Engineers recreation area, has a nice trail to the Hidden Slough. We tried to ignore the sections with signs that said "Hunting Season in Progress"

The sunsets on the Mississippi were spectacular regardless of the temperatures. This was the last night as the front was moving through.

They're off! There's some nice short and level rides around the park just following the four camping loops. My favorite was the road lined with wonderful pines. This was taken shortly before my flat tire.

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Ta-Da!

9/14/2013

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After five proofs, I have finally got one for the paperback version of Peete and Repeat that I am satisfied with. It should be available on Amazon in the next few days. Each upload takes from nine to twenty-four hours for a file check until I can proof it on line and download a PDF file. So basically one day each time you make changes. The first file I uploaded was not the one I had made 57 changes in last weekend. So I reentered the changes in the new file because that's easier than reformatting the whole thing.

When I looked at the next proof, I discovered that in Chapter Three, when I eliminated an unnecessary phrase, I took out one word too many and now it didn't make sense. And on and on. But it is up, includes the map. and looks pretty good.

The camping trip to Thomson ended on a much pleasanter note than it started on. Wednesday was a little cooler, although still muggy, We took a little bike ride in to town for some lunchtime ice cream and even got rained on. It was so exciting! Wednesday night it had cooled enough to have a fire and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. By Thursday morning, the front was through and it was fantastic.

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A Day to Forget

9/11/2013

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Yesterday wasn't one of my better ones. We went for a bike ride in the morning, during the course of which I got a flat tire. Very suddenly. Not a blowout; just a phssst and it was flat. There is a bike shop in nearby Thomson. However, the owner passed away last Saturday very suddenly. So a trip to The Bike Station in Clinton in the afternoon solved the problem.

Afterward, we visited the Wide River Winery--a lovely place but the narrow gravel road leading to the place is not for the faint of heart. Then took a drive through Eagle Point Park, also very beautiful. However, on our way back to the campground, we made the mistake of visiting the windmill in Fulton, Illinois. It was about to close so we took a quick look around the lower level and went up stairs. There is an open deck at that level and then a ramp leading to the levee and back to the parking lot. There is no rule that requires one to exit at that level instead of going back down the stairs. But for some reason the guide became very insistent that I would have no problem exiting at the upper level. I don't like those kinds of places (high and very open) and had to actually argue with him. He kept telling me to try it--it would be fine. Now, my question is, why does he care which way I go out? How does it affect him or anyone else in any way? My stomach was in knots for about three hours afterwards at the thought of having to take the upper exit for no reason other than to please this control freak. I am well aware that this sounds very stupid to people who aren't afraid of heights but so be it.

After another very warm, buggy night--too much so to sit out and have a fire--this morning the file I submitted for the paperback version of Peete and Repeat was ready for review and I realized I had not submitted the version with the latest edits. So three hours later, the new file is up and it will be another 12-24 hours before I can review it.

So, I know, small potatoes in the scheme of things but enough to set my teeth for a day. Supposed to be cooler today.

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Rollin' on the River

9/10/2013

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Well, really, it's more like sweatin' and swatin' bugs on (near) the river, but that doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?

We are at Thomson Causeway, a Corps of Engineers campground on the Mississippi. There are lots of great campsites and good bike riding; however those engineers could have been a little more judicious about the placement of the shower houses.

When we planned this trip a couple of weeks ago, the long-range forecast was for highs in the low 70s. Well, you know how those weathermen like to joke around. Originally we planned to enjoy a big pot of chili on the first night. I don't think it quite made 100 here yesterday; nonetheless we were very glad we had switched to a taco salad bar instead. And a great ice cream dessert topped off the night.

Our site is right on the river and, if it weren't for the bugs, provides ever-changing vistas during the day, evening and early morning. The sunset on the water last night was incredible. Apparently the bugs are dealing with the drought by substituting human blood for water. I think the schedule today calls for a little early rollin' on the bike trail and a whole lot of nappin' on (near) the river.

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Frannie's Off Again

9/8/2013

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Frannie and Larry Shoemaker, along with their friends, head to Southeastern Minnesota for a biking and camping weekend in the Burden River Valley. This fictitious setting is based on the beautiful Root River Valley. The story revolves around the old Power Plant, pictured here.

The Kindle version is available today but I was unable to include the map and keep it readable in the ebook version I'm printing it here. It will be in the paperback but if you read it on Kindle and want to refer to the map, here it is!

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Yipes!

9/6/2013

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The cover is done! My sisters are amazing--something I never thought I would say when they were little. Okay, kidding mostly.

I have been editing all week and am now working on the formatting. Should be available in the next week or so. *fingers crossed*

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