Long Strange Trip... We're Moving Up

So by now you know there was a lot going on in my life. Too much to go into all at once. Truth is, I missed this blog. I missed all of you. I know how it is, though. You move on to other blogs. Understandable.

It's been hectic and wonderful all at the same time. Lots of revisions, rewrites and rereading. I must have bored the eyes out of a few of my favorite people. But they hung in there with me, didn't you Seuss? Karyl? And Jack.

So by now you know, the book is finally available on Kindle. It seems appropriate to make available all those photos that  Sam and I took on the Epic Road Trip. If you would like to see more, you can, at J.E.Ocean on Facebook.

Or if you like, you can follow me here J.E. Ocean .
There I will be talking about events regarding Painting the Rain, as well as life with a live in writing partner, my husband Jack.

We have already begun writing the next two books. If you want to stay in the loop, you can also follow me
HERE.

J.E. Ocean "Painting the Rain" Available on Kindle!

Today's post is from guest author, Jack Petersen of In Xanadu.

 "PAINTING THE RAIN is a truly remarkable work of fiction. It has drama, action, and more than satisfying strength in both character and plot development. (Be prepared to read the last third of the story in one sitting. Yes, it’s that kind of a book – you can’t put it down.)
 The novel is based on a play co-authored by J.E. Ocean and myself, (Elyce Times One) so I was naturally curious to see the work “fleshed out.” I was not disappointed.
 Ocean took sub-plots in directions I never imagined. Subtle whimsy appears here and there, along with charming touches of romantic sentimentality I found surprisingly refreshing in a work of heavy drama. (I also discovered I had been written into the story – and killed on page 9. Another story for another time, I suspect.)
I must also confess that I am a novice at this downloading-to-a-Kindle business, but Amazon made it so easy I think I was just a little disappointed. Bottom line: I loved the book. I think you will too. I know a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th novels are in progress. I can’t wait.
J Petersen

When You Wander

I

I have never been great at endings. But I am trying to be better at the middles.

Picture Perfect

It wasn’t Currier and Ives painting. It wasn’t even a Norman Rockwell picture.

But Thanksgiving Day 2012 will be etched in my memory as a picture perfect holiday

forever. The back door was cracked open a little and sunshine beamed in, despite being the end of November the breeze felt good.

We had animated and interesting guests which made for a lot of laughs around the table. Three of my favorite people were there, one of them my lovely daughter, my wonderful husband our good writer friend who brought two very special guests.

For the sake of being untraditional, we roasted our turkey upside down, made sweet and redskin mashers and served green spring mix salad. I made apple and sage stuffing (and there is barely any left) for the  first time and the cranberry sauce I have been making for decades.

The pan-fried fire corn was a big hit and although everyone loves to make green bean casserole, I chose to make buttery green beans with roasted, unsalted almonds.

Our guests brought Apothic red wine and a very nice white and a six pack of Milk Stout (that I may try tonight). It was a lovely, no stress time and my husband enjoying it every bit as much as I did. What a joy.

Dessert was tea and slices of pumpkin pie. With real whipped cream.

Our guests were completely delightful and when they were gone, Jack and I cleaned up the kitchen in less than 30 minutes and went to watch a Nick Sparks movie with a glass of wine.

Thank the good Lord for a beautiful day and a tremendous memory, and the heart of wonderful people. I am so very grateful for my new life.

Gone

You probably didn't know I started this blog seven years ago. 
Back then, it was my goal to learn to write well, to have a point. It was a goal of mine to be in the habit of writing. Since then, I have written half a dozen blogs and you've seen me through a lot. I learned a lot about blogs and blogging and webpages and design. 

Frankly, all my professional friends have moved on to WordPress. That, for me, was a huge challenge. I like Blogger. It's user friendly, easy to navigate and I am so used to it, even the new changes. But, as I said, all my friends were moving to another cyberhood. I don't feel compelled to follow them, I feel compelled to conquer WordPress I feel compelled to learn it, and have it work for me in ways Blogger doesn't. I feel like I'm leaving a lot behind to go there.
 It's taken me 7 years to get the following I have, and I deeply appreciate you. But, the Radical Write was about a lot of things. It wasn't a definitive thing.  When I started the blog, I was another person. Recently my calling has been more clearly defined, and is still evolving. I have moved not once, but twice since beginning. I've traveled through some very interesting circles of people. I've lost a great deal, friends, and love and family. 
 Yet, I have gained much. 
It is with this new knowledge that I am going toward my next venture. I will post a few more times on here, mostly so that you can follow me there if you choose, and I hope you do. But I know what it's like to settle in to an address only to have the person move. Your Christmas card gets returned. Your address book is messed up now. I have moved far too much physically to underestimate how resistant we all can be toward change. For what it's worth, I think my best years are ahead of me. I feel better than I have in years. I am happier than I have been in two decades . I know me better and the people who are my friends are completely awesome people. We've all been through a lot. You've helped me arrive at this place.  

Tha
When I heard this song today and I though about a hundred things. It isn't that I wanted a following. I did. I never thought it would happen. I'm grateful for small beginnings. I am grateful for all 23 of you and the many more who lurk but would not commit.(and will understand if the numbers diminish.) It's impossible for me to maintain this blog, and pursue the many writing venues that are in front of me. 

It may surprise you that the most hits I got on any given day were from food posts. As luck would have it, food is something I really know. Not because I eat everyday. But because I have been believe that food is medicine.I believe food is recreation. It's nurturing. It's comfort. I believe that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I have found that man. I also believe food can be as deadly as health-giving, depending on what it is. My beloved daughter showed me that food intolerances can develop quickly and weight can shift dramatically in frighteningly short amount of time. We can't be the only ones. So, me and my kid (and the Cowboy) are going toward a more intentional blog. When it's up and running, I will come back and post the address. Thank you for your readership.