I've an exciting new idea for another book. It would be something like "The Murders of McCone County." In my lifetime there have been at least five murders or suspicious "suicides" in this remote, thinly populated Montana county, my childhood home, (and adjoining Garfield County.) In addition, there have been scandals and intrigue: A rancher with Las Vegas ties slaughtering several extremely valuable race horses and concealing the carcasses in a lake; a woman involved in a highway accident vanishing from the scene under the very eyes of the responding law enforcement officers; the Garfield County Freemen; many others that escape me at the moment. Doing the research alone for such a book might take the rest of my life! But what fun, reading trial transcripts, police records, archived newspapers, etc. My mother's diaries would be VERY helpful--she chronicled many of these events when they happened. I've always loved True Crime stories, especially when the perp is caught. Any idea where that came from?

Ideas like this stimulate me to finish my group of essays, so I can start something else.

I have been notified by Trafford that a proof copy of "Chasing Ghosts" won't be available until February 19th. How disappointing! After that, it could be six more weeks after I approve the proof, before they release the book on-line and in stores. They are conducting a merger with two other companies and remodelling their entire facility. When I submitted the first book to them, Dancing on His Grave, I had a proof in hand in less than two weeks. I'm just not accustomed to waiting like this. On the other hand, I should be thankful I'm not dealing with a mainstream publisher. THAT process takes a couple of years after a manuscript is accepted.

To all who have been e-mailing and inquiring about the availability of "Chasing," I will be sending out e-mails and postcards and posting an announcement on this blog just as soon as I am able to order books. Now it appears that might be sometime in March.

We are taking a quick trip to Montana to help Barry (youngest son) install a wood-burning stove and a basement bathroom in his new house. I'm also committed to teaching him how to keep books for his new business on Quicken, including internet downloading from his bank, the IRS, Turbo-tax, etc. It's a lot to learn; I hope he's patient. This will help fill the time while waiting for "Chasing."

Send me comments. I get very lonely out here.

I've decided that I will get involved in the local peer groups for victims of domestic violence. I also need to check in at all the area bookstores. These projects are planned for when I finish with the marketing for "Chasing Ghosts." I'll start with "Healthy Families of Clallam County." They're a good bunch. I'm keeping busy entering all kinds of writing competitions all over the country. It's fun, and keeps me alert to excellence.

Still no sign of my proof copy of "Chasing Ghosts." Tomorrow I'll call again. They promised a book by last Friday.

I'm getting a little upset with Trafford. I sent all required items to them and was cleared for printing on November 25th. I was informed I would receive a proof of my new book on or before December 30th. Nothing arrived. I called them on January 5, and a recorded voice told me that the entire staff was taking their "holiday" to make way for extensive remodelling that might take several weeks! Now I don't know when I'll be able to launch my advertising; probably spring. What a disappointment! It's a good thing that the weather is wet and gloomy. It's conducive to staying in the house and making progress on my essays. I want to have the "Chasing Ghosts" project put to bed before the weather gets too nice to stay indoors.

On the bright side, I'm enjoying the research for my essays. Very uplifting, although it looks like our nation is in for a VERY bumpy ride leading up to 2012.