I hope you have a wonderful week. ❤️

Hello, blog friends!

Hubby and I had a great time in Sedona enjoying the Red Rocks. It was windy and chilly, but the weather did not detract from the natural beauty of the area. Since childhood, I've loved this breathtaking area. 

With my recent travels in mind, I'm responding to David Bogomolny's W3 poetry prompt. He asks that participants create a poem that encourages someone not to give up and to persevere. You can read the full instructions here:
​​https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/02/12/w3-prompt-146-weave-written-weekly/

My contribution is two tankas - 5 lines each of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables. 

I hope you have a wonderful week. I wish you several days of relaxation and escape. It's amazing how refreshing it can be to not know what is happening politically on our beautiful planet. I didn't have social media connections for a few days, and now I finally understand the expression, "ignorance is bliss". ☺️

Hello, dear blog friends ~

Hubby and I are headed to Sedona, AZ. It's one of my favorite places on our beautiful planet, and it is only an hour from where we live. We'll stay a few nights and bask in the silence of the red rocks, so I doubt you'll see me on social media. 

This morning, I noticed D.L. Finn's image prompt (see below), and quickly composed a Tanka. Mountains and silence are my travel goals, so this image is a perfect one for me. If you'd like to know more about Denise's prompt, the link will lead you to her site.

​Here's my contribution:  

I hope you have a wonderful week, and I especially hope it is filled with peace. Take good care of yourself! ❤️

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the breezes and delight in the sunshine! ❤️

​Hello, blog friends ~

Today we have a treat. Author John Howell has stopped by for a visit to share tidbits about his latest book, Detour on the Eternal Road. 

Most of you are familiar with John's award-winning books. This latest publication is the third in the Eternal Road series. It promises to draw readers into the mystery of good vs. evil and our participation in that drama. Of course, John includes unexpected twists -- and a memorable ending!

Let's hear from John ~   

​I am so pleased to be on your blog with you today, Gwen.  I was thrilled when you offered to be one of the stops on the tour.  You have written such exceptional books in a number of challenging genres. ​It is a pleasure to visit and have the opportunity to explain a little about my newest book Detour on the Eternal Road. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I've included the blurb and other helpful information below. 

BLURB:

Sam and James are dragged into another strange assignment when a couple of souls on The Eternal Road drop off the radar. Archangel Michael gives them specific orders to resolve the issue and get Billy Ray Chitwood, the national race car champion, and Dale Earnhardt, his guide, back on the task of finding Billy’s Eternal Home.

Finally, meeting up with Billy Ray and Dale, the foursome finds themselves in the future where World War III has devastated the country. The team discovers the cause of the start of the war and vows to mitigate that circumstance and save the world from devastation. They encounter their old nemesis, Lucifer, who has in mind trading preventing the war in exchange for Sam accepting his offer to be his queen.
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Since Lucifer’s offer is a non-starter, Sam and James must overcome Lucifer’s interference and work to change the course of history, or humankind is doomed. 
​

EXCERPT:

     The old man sighs. “I live about ten miles out of town, and I have no idea how I got to this bench. I would like to go home but have no way to get there.”

     The young man uses his thumb and pushes his wide-brim hat back on his head. “You have any family?”

     “I think I used to, but I can’t rightly tell you if they’re still around. I might live alone.”

     “I see. Well, we’ll be glad to help, but we have a job to do first. Will you be okay until we get back? Shouldn’t take more than a half hour.”

     “Mighty obliged to you. Yes, I can wait a half hour.”

     “All right, then. You stay here in the shade, and we’ll go over to that corral there to arrest some rustlers.”

     “You a lawman?”

     “Yup. I’m the marshal hereabouts. Name’s Earp. Wyatt Earp. Them’s my deputies.”

     “Pleased to meet you, Wyatt. I’ll be right here awaitin’.”

     “Good for you, pops. Don’t you worry; everything will be all right.”

     “Bless you, son.”

     Wyatt touches the brim of his felt hat with two fingers. “You stay right here, and I’ll come back and get you.”

     “Yes, sir, Marshall.”

     “Call me Wyatt.”

     “Yes, sir, Wyatt.”

     The corners of Wyatt’s mouth turn up. The creases at the corner of his eyes intensify slightly, and he nods with satisfaction. Ready to get on, he turns and walks back to the other men. He doesn’t say anything to them but looks back at the elderly bloke as they continue down the street.

TRAILER: https://animoto.com/play/0Z6vyFwQqrAZjjVAlciipw

BUY LINKS:  Universal paper and Universal Ebook  

BIO: John is an award-winning author who after an extensive business career began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written seven other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

​John lives in Lakeway, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
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