I've decided to skip the last three book events for the year--Billings, Missoula and the Western Literature Association being held this year in Spearfish, S.D. Instead, Jim and I took a mini-tour around eastern Montana in late September, and it was very productive and enjoyable (we included Williston, North Dakota.) I have been lax in preparing to take part in the bookfests. It takes constant diligence and keeping in touch with the organizers, and I've had my mind elsewhere. I'll try to resume my efforts at promotion and speaking engagements next year.

One of the stops on our mini-tour (we pulled our camper) was a weekend in Circle, Montana, for their community's fall fun day. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my high school graduating class's fiftieth reunion was also being held that week-end. I was assured that I had been sent a letter of notification, but I had to admit I either didn't receive it or forgot about it (highly unlikely.) It was a very small class--only about thirty graduates--but of those, twenty six attended the reunion. I was amazed, and had a great time getting reacquainted. I also sold many books, and danced all night at the local pub.

In Williston, we were welcomed with enthusiasm at a local bookstore, and sold many of all three books. Several people came from eastern Montana for the event, people who had known me in my childhood and youth. I missed an opportunity to speak at the annual conference of North Dakota organizations that address domestic violence--the timing was off slightly and we couldn't connect. I've committed to try to attend next year. I've also agreed to be in Sidney (MT) in July. The need is great--it keeps me very busy.

Our last stop was at a wonderful little boutique gift shop in Terry, MT, that has sold dozens of my books. We met wonderful people and visited with aspiring authors. Check out the"Prairie Unique" website.

Now it's back to work. We've been hauling huge loads of firewood (beetle-killed pines) with the help of my two sons, Barry and Randy. I think we're about done, except for cutting and splitting all those logs to kindling size. It's hard work but it keeps us in shape (we intend to keep dancing!)

My mother-in-law's condition has improved slightly, but it appears she will be in the nursing home for the duration. A word of advice: Get Long Term Care insurance. She doesn't have it, and next month Medicare will cut off her nursing home payments. She then has to pay it herself, because she doesn't qualify for Medicaid. We've learned that one in three Americans will spend time in a nursing home (currently at $5,000 per month or more.) That makes the premiums well worth it.

At the PNWA awards, "Dancing" did not place in the top three, but it was fun to be treated like royalty for a few days. I met a new agent; haven't decided yet whether to pursue that angle. My energy level is sorely wanting. I drove each way to Seattle and back in one day--a twelve hour trip. Good audio books saved the day.

A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law suffered a series of small strokes, so our time has been consumed with concern for her. She is currently residing at the local nursing home, making some progress. She is now wheelchair bound. We did manage to wheel her a block up the street for dinner out last week. That's the beauty of this small town--everything is within a few blocks. We have a lovely little medical center, and she gets lots of individual, loving care. We have big decisions facing us about when to move back upstairs and put her things in storage.

I'm still doing research for my next book--an essay concerning "What Does It All Mean?" or "What I've Learned From All This" for my kids and grandchildren. There's so much to study and learn that I sometimes wonder if I'll ever reach the point where I can elucidate my views appropriately. Thank God there are many brilliant people who have gone through this process before me, after spending years seeking. The information is all there, if one only keeps an open mind to all possibilities.

I'm leaving tomorrow to attend the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's annual conference in Seattle. I've persuaded Jim to stay home with his mother. It would be a very boring three days for him. I tried to find a plane ticket that fits my budget, to no avail, so I guess I'll be driving. With a good audio book and cruise control, I can make it easily in one day. I also find the lodging costs at the Hilton a bit beyond my means, even with the discount they offer for writers, so I'll stay nearby in an affordable unit. I'll post an update when I find out about how the competition goes.

For some strange reason, I'm not very ginned up about this.

Another stupendous piece of news. I've received notice that "Dancing on His Grave" is a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association (PNWA) annual writing competition. This is a prestigious organization, based in the Seattle area, that has been around since 1955. They've aided in the discovery of a number of best-selling authors. I couldn't have been more stunned. The person who called told me that theirs is now an international competition, with entries coming in from, for example, China, Dubai, Spain, the UK, Australia, Canada (to name a few) and all over the U.S. The memoir category had hundreds of entries, and only eight were chosen. Even more interesting, the choices for finalist were made from a synopsis of the story and the first twenty or so pages of the book. Some of the more horrifying events in my story were not part of the review.

Even if being selected as a finalist is as far as this goes, it will still engender notice from agents, editors and publishers, who will make the final selections of winners. Even after all the work I've done over the past seven years, I would still go to a mainstream publisher if they offered an advance that would pay back my sizable investment in this project. I am poised to do a complete revision, whether or not the book--or books--are picked up by a publisher. I'd like to think that I've become a better writer since "Dancing" was self-published.

I'm keeping very busy shipping copies of "Chasing Ghosts," and unpacking boxes.

We are back in the Big Sky! We emptied/consolidated three houses in two months, and arrived back in White Sulphur Springs with a caravan: Jim driving the biggest U-haul truck pulling the Camry on a dolly, and me driving our Tundra pulling a trailer, all chock full. Jim's mother rode with me, and we drivers kept in touch with cell-phones. It was almost luxury compared with some moves I've made. Now I'm trying to decide what to do with four or five of EVERYTHING. We had a big rummage sale before leaving Sequim, but it hardly made a dent. We'll need another rummage sale and lots of trips to Good Will before winter. I want my garage back (which is now full to the rafters.) At least I'm losing weight (that's good news.) Betty (my mother-in-law, age 90) has settled into her rooms on the first floor of our house, and Jim and I are making our basement apartment cozy and functional. We all share the upstairs kitchen, dining and living rooms.

Now I'm looking forward to spreading the word that "Chasing Ghosts" is available. I received my first shipment of books, and have mailed a few. I've received lots of inquiries about it. Thanks to all for your patience.

A few weeks ago I received pleasant news. "Walking Wounded" received the first runner-up award in the Trafford Publishing Golden Pen competition. Hundreds of books were entered. It is so reassuring to keep getting affirmation of the value of my work. So far "Chasing Ghosts" has received nothing but good reviews.

We will have the website updated soon. All the best to all my friends.

I forgot to say that my new address for ordering books from me after June 1 will be Box 749, White Sulphur Springs, Mt. 59645 My e-mail will remain the same.

The move is progressing.

I haven't mailed or e-mailed notifications about the availability of "Chasing Ghosts." Trafford STILL has not sent my supply of books. I'm glad to be busy with other things. My patience is wearing thin. I also intend to place ads in many local Montana newspapers. The link to the Trafford website is www.Trafford.com/08-1379.

Thanks for hanging with me.

Finally, good news! Chasing Ghosts can be ordered through the Trafford.com website, and will be available from Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com within a few weeks. Anyone who would like a signed copy can order it from me at 150 Elizabeth Lane, Sequim, WA 98382, postage paid. I will have a supply of copies within a week or so. I'm busy creating an e-mail list to get out, along with postcards, in a few days.

We've made the decision to move back to Montana. Jim's mom will go with us. Because of the economy, we've decided to combine households to save money. We have a lot of work facing us in the next three months, including some retrofit of the White Sulphur Springs house for handicap access. We hope to be settled there by the end of June.