Not a day goes by that I don't find something in the news or on television that provokes some kind of response in me, from unease to outrage. Consequently, I'm thinking about a series of essays I intend to write for my kids and grandkids, for them to find in my "papers" someday. It will be titled something like "Life's Lessons" or "My Beliefs," (sounds a bit lofty doesn't it?) I choose this method of preaching to them, without all the connotations of a "buttinski" mother or mother in law. Also, the written word will allow me to get my points across without the interference of their own opinions. I think they'll find my conclusions on myriad subjects comforting, although they may not agree with me.

Some of the subjects I will choose are:

Religion: This covers such a huge array of subjects, it will be the longest essay. Included would be: The philosophical differences and similarities among religions, life after death and reincarnation, the overall meaning of life, evolution vs intelligent design and the lack of conflict between them, the pros and cons of the literal translation of the Bible, and many other subjects, all based on the precept that "Man divides, God unites.")This essay might contain my own epitaph (I'm a planner by nature.)

Politics: A discussion based on the premise that the over-riding goal of most of those involved in politics is power, either from the beginning or occurring sometime during the political career, and the most perfect form of government is benevolent dictatorship--think Solomon. Perhaps to include the effect on modern politics of 24/7 talking heads (Aldous Huxley: any comment?)

Psychology: Also an extremely broad subject that will illustrate a fledgling science with secrets still waiting to be uncovered, through all the physiological--along with physical and environmental factors--that can affect a healthy mind.

Child Rearing Obviously, with my background, this will discuss what NOT to do in raising kids, and that from the earliest moment, they are PEOPLE in progress. Again, in family situations the "benevolent dictator" is applicable.

Education: Will include a discussion of the importance (or lack of) of the current "on-campus" education system in the U.S., given the alternative resources available to today's parents and youth. Other opinions: the pros and cons of adhering to the archaic school schedule developed in colonial days, when children were needed for agricultural work in the summer, prompting the suspension of school instruction for three months. What we are left with is hundreds of billions of dollars worth of educational facilities sitting idled and empty for months, while still needing maintenance and service, and students running the streets. Perhaps we should be looking at what works in other countries, like a staggered system of "time off" for teachers and students, and electing a government that places education in a priority at least as high as tanks and M16s. Based on my own school experience, I would also discuss the problems of allowing our schools to become social clubs, with the "in" group and the "rejects," the athletes and air-heads, the bullies and the bullied, and how it is dealt with in other countries, e.g. school uniforms and a no-bulls**t approach to learning or leaving.

Doctors and Medicine: This subject will relate some of my horror stories of factors encountered when trying to deal with treatment of a sick or injured child or loved one, and the absolute imperative that a mother be a vigilant guardian, no matter how many professionals are involved.

Self-healing/Attitude (including nutrition.) Discussion of my conviction that physical healing must start at home, with excellent life-style choices and avoiding poisonous relationships and stresses. Will include a discussion on the almost criminal attitude within the medical community to ignore the power of the human brain--think power plant; computer extraordinaire--and each individual's ability to develop, utilize and control its power.

The negative effects of pure capitalism (mass advertising and marketing.) These would include the burgeoning obesity in Americans, widespread selfishness and self-indulgence, a sense of entitlement among youth, the current trend toward misguided priorities in the selection of careers, other "ripped from the headlines" subjects. Also discussing the consumerism that is causing the destruction of our planet. My mother always said we should "be at least as smart as barnyard pigs and not s**t in our own nests," but that is just what we're doing.

See? Opinions! Do I sound like the laid back grandma of thirteen, great-grandma of two? I've told everyone who asked me what I would write after the trilogy is completed, that one thing I do not lack is opinions. But rather than lay them verbally on my family, I'll simply share with them in writing, and they can use or reject the ideas as they wish.

I certainly hope I don't run out of time or energy. I'm getting a good outline of my essays with this blog. I'm keeping print-outs. Tomorrow, then.

I'm so embarrassed to discover I've let an entire month slip away since my last post. However, it's been an eventful month. We brought grandson Reid (residence-Wichita, KS) home with us. His parents had been visiting in Montana, and brought him to us in White Sulphur Springs. What a delightful young man: fourteen years old, and excited to spend nearly a month with two senior citizens. He spent about ten days with us in MT, helping with the last two book events, and then came back to WA with us. He is fanatically interested in marine biology (along with many other things) so it wasn't hard to entertain him. We took him crab fishing and oyster picking, and camping at a delightful RV park on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where tide pools and marine life abound. Then we spent a day in downtown Seattle, at Pike's Place Market, the Space Needle, and especially important to him, the Seattle Aquarium. The next afternoon he boarded a plane at Seatac for the trip back to Wichita. It was amazing to see how mature and self-reliant a young teenager can be. At Pike's Place he bought a large (fresh) wild salmon to take back to his parents, then had it packaged for transport and took it home on the plane. Now we are all looking forward to his next visit (possibly next summer, when he wants to spend an entire month here.)

Regarding getting our own life back in order: We waded through a forest of overgrown herb beds and lawn, caught up and answered two months of mail (that a neighbor had collected and that filled an apple box), filled book orders, and cleaned our camper trailer for winter storage. Also on my list were haircuts (all three of us) perms and color (Jim's mom and me), mountains of laundry (including the camper linens), and--well, you get the message. I'm now preparing for the last book events of the year.

On September 12th we will head for Missoula for the Festival of the Book. Historically, this has been the time that we went back to White Sulphur to shut off the sprinklers and winterize our house. However, this year the Festival is two weeks early, and too soon to shut off the sprinklers. We will be back in Montana on October 11th at Dillon, to take part in the "Take Back the Night " event, sponsored by the Beaverhead Domestic Violence Coalition. We'll go to WSS then to take care of the house. I won't mind seeing the grandchildren (in Three Forks) once more before settling into Sequim for the winter, and getting back to "Chasing Ghosts."

On September 19th we will be in Bellevue (WA) for the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association book fair. (For the past many years it was held in Portland.) I have reserved a table so will actually be a vendor this year, along with some of the biggest and most well known publishers. I'll report on the success (or not) of that venture later. Right now, I'm trying to re-organize my book inventory and distribution system. This book tour was three times as well-received as I expected (300% of my estimated sales were purchased), and my tracking system is in utter disarray. At Bellevue I will be dealing directly with bookstores, selling books, taking orders and paying the shipping, so I need to get my act together. Thank God for my executive assistant (named Jim.)

My inventory shows that so far Dancing on His Grave has sold over 1,300 copies, and Walking Wounded (out only three months) has sold about 300. This includes sales from Trafford's (the publisher's) on-line bookstore. I mean to get those figures firmed up before I again contact my agent with a review of the book tour. I hope to get her attention at some point.

In answer to a perhaps unspoken question: Yes, my energy is returning. As soon as I got home, I renewed my membership in the fitness center and began exercising every day. I stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables, reassessed my vitamins and supplements and my blood pressure meds. As a result, I've already lost nearly ten pounds (from when we left in June,) my blood pressure is back to normal (as of this morning) and I'm up to three miles a day on the treadmill and cross trainer. I'm going to try for twenty pounds. I'm so glad for the icy gel-packs kept at hand in the freezer, and the memory foam topper on my bed. Perhaps I'll write an "Ode to Sore Muscles."

On an aside, one of the highlights of the summer was getting acquainted with Gwen Petersen in Big Timber. She is a delightful and talented lady, with much to offer aspiring writers, and she did a marvelous job setting up the all-day seminar on memoir writing and self-publishing at the Carnegie Library in BT. She has a new book coming out, and I recommend that anyone who likes light-hearted humor and poking fun at themselves get a copy (I don't have the title at the moment. I'm sure you can Google it.) She recently published "How to Shovel Manure and Other Life Lessons for the Country Woman" (Voyageur Press.) She's labeled the "Ann Landers of the barnyard set." Or maybe Erma Bombeck.

I have a date to give my mother-in-law a hairdo, so I'll put this on hold for the moment. I have some more in-depth issues to discuss, with National Domestic Violence Month coming up in October.