Voices, thanks & other things

      What oh what has Tech been up to? I hear you asking. Well, I hear someone asking, maybe not you, but someone near you. Or beside you. Or maybe stalking you from afar, but they are asking that because I can hear them. I've also been picking up XM satellite radio, but that's a whole different story and I don't want that to get out or they'll start charging me. They're like that, you know.
      Anyway, before the discussion gets focused on the voices in my head and on why world conquest by a force of vicious robot monkeys is a bad thing, although certainly a Republican thing to do, let's get back to what I've been doing. As for what I did over Labor Day, you have to read the comments on Monday's post. Excellent comments, by the way, even though you wouldn't think junk mail would lead to that, but there you go. Well, not literally go. I assume you're sitting when you read this, but you know what I mean.
      What was I saying? Oh, yeah, about what I've been doing. Mostly working on family newsletters. I published July one Monday and the August one Tuesday. And I intend to publish the September one this weekend. Three in one month -- which is a record -- and will catch me up for the first time in nearly two years. How cool is that! Well, it's very cool. Just so you know.
*      I've been going through -- and am still in -- a crisis here, although I hope the worst of it is over. It's been a reminder about how even our best intentions can hurt us and how fragile our "secure" lives really are.
      It's also been a reminder about how true friends behave. I have been blessed with a handful of friends who have stuck by me and who in so many ways have helped me, even if it's just been with a sympathetic ear or an invitation to lunch.
      I've really learned who my real friends are, and I'm not interested in the fair-weather friends who are only available at their convenience, not ever mine, and who won't defend me even when my reputation is being maligned.
      Early this morning I went through my cell phone and my address book and deleted names and addresses. I can't tell you how liberating that was. I was talking to my friend Gail W. late last night, and she said something very wise: "If people aren't your friend in bad times, then they aren't your friend in good times, either." That resounded with me.
      Of course, it's a lesson I've learned before, but for some reason -- naiveté, I'd guess, or sheer stupidity -- I keep forgetting it. The past few days have been a painful reminder.
      So this is a thank you to those friends who have stuck by me. I appreciate you and hope you realize that I'm there for you, too.
*      I have my first book signing next week. I'm nervous and excited about it. I'm not expecting to sell many or any books, but I am hoping that a lot of people who have already bought the book will come by and let me meet them. I'm very curious about who they are. Every day or so I have someone I didn't expect mention that they purchased the book or have read it. It's been very cool. I'll be giving you a report next week on how it goes.
*      I thought the comments on Monday's post were especially good, as I mentioned earlier. Thanks to all the thoughtful people who spoke there. The search for spiritual meaning in our lives is an important quest that we should all undertake. (How pompous did that sound!) Anyway, it was cool to share and be shared with.
*      Murder by the Acre is in trouble. Nothing I can't write my characters out of, but trouble nonetheless. I had hoped to have it out by Christmas, and I still might, but I am determined that it be a better book than that murder mystery masterpiece Murder by Dewey Decimal ... ahem. Anyway, that may mean that I have to release it in 2008. We'll see how it goes.
*      I don't think I mentioned that the distribution copy of Murder by Dewey Decimal has been approved. Sometime in October, you should be able to order it from Amazon and other retailers. You should also be able to order it from your lcoal bookstore. My baby done grown up and moved out.
*      Speaking of babies, Mikey is doing well in the first grade. He really likes it, which is a great relief. His little brother Jay is doing well, too. As are Zee and Kayla. And Miss Gm and Mr. Gm. And Princess J and Queen H. All my babies are doing well. A great blessing.
*     &bnsp;  They're going to have a street festival here in October. I'm thinking about getting a booth and selling my book there. Maybe I could find another author or some other business to share the cost with. I'll have to look into that.
*      Well, it's time to go to work. I have a busy morning there, but I'm off this afternoon, which I will spend promoting the book signing. I hope you have a good day. I'm outta here.
 
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