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Beginning a new life, "at my
age," as Grace Johnson would say.
(From Patrick & Grace Mysteries)
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| Rev. Ivan and Janet Smith |
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| Billie Williams--my rescuer |
| EXPLORE ROADS LESS TRAVELED IN A JES NOVEL |
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| Where will the road take her next? |
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| Welcome to my house! |
GOING THAT SECOND MILE, OR...
My mother often said, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
The start of this year, 2008, has done its best to disprove that philosophy.
The end of January brought with it a very unexpected surprise. Ivan, my husband of 42 years,
died the evening of Jan. 29th. He lost his leg in 1995, but he seemed to be in relatively good health. Still, there were signs
the last few months that I tried to point out to him, but he went into a state of denial about it. I knew better than to argue
with him about it. I won't go into the details here. If you are interested in knowing "the rest of the story," please go to my blog and read all about it.
Uncertain about what my future held, with the death of not only my husband but also that
of the furnace and the plumbing in the very old mobile home we had lived in for 27 years, I knew another change had to happen.
I toyed with the idea of moving into an apartment in Grand Forks, ND, where we had lived since 1971. I had a lot of friends
there, and our daughter lived there, although both of our sons have opted for taking up residence in the balmy southland.
The Internet is an amazing discovery! I had friends from across the country, literally,
who invited me to move near them, some of them even offering to let me stay with them until I found a place of my own to rent
or to help me find an apartment before I got there. I appreciate all of them. I hate having to make decisions!
My good friend, Billie Williams, whom I met on the Internet in common e-groups we belonged
to, had invited us (Ivan and me) to come live next door to them. She and her husband Tom had bought the house next door to
them, and it was sitting there empty, seemingly just waiting for us to move in. Ivan refused, saying "But this is home." Looking
back at it now (isn't hindsight wonderful?) I realize that he probably was afraid he wasn't strong enough to make the move.
He was probably right. But now he was gone, and Billie asked me "What is stopping you from coming here now?" I didn't have
a good answer!
Let me back up just a bit and give you some background on the friendship that had developed
between Billie and me by that time. I knew from the start that she was a woman I greatly admired and respected. Not only did
she write awesome books (you can see all about her at her website by clicking on her picture above), but she was looking for
exposure for her books when we first "met" and I was hosting a weekly mystery chat at that time. It was quite popular, and
I had some big name authors like Carol Higgins Clark who had been on the chat. Billie turned me down cold! Why? Her husband
was driving semis on long-hauls, and that was the time he called her every evening. She would not forfeit that time with her
husband, not even for a chance to promote her books! I knew, from that moment on, this was a woman who deserved the utmost
respect. And from then on, our friendship grew, first through e-mails, then later on the almost daily phone calls we exchanged.
Unsure of what to do, I ran the idea of my moving to Amberg, WI, to the house next door
to Billie and Tom by all three of our kids. I knew it had to be the right move for me. It was the first thing I could remember
that all three of them agreed on immediately! So, the plans were set in motion.
It was a terribly hard thing for me to go through all of Ivan's belongings, trying to decide
which things should go to which of the kids, which should be donated to Good Will, which should be tossed, and which ones
I should keep. It seemed like each item I picked up was a little piece of him. I cried as I tenderly handled some of them,
and I laughed at others. I felt him watching me, and I could almost hear him ask, "Now do you see why I said we couldn't move?
I couldn't have done that." Thanks, sweetheart! I had to do it--alone!
Then came Billie's great interference. Tom was retiring in mid-April, so she set a deadline.
Billie and I could hash over our plans till the cows came home, but I was dumbfounded when Tom seemed to be almost as excited
about my moving out there as we were. "We will come to get you on April 20. On the 21st we will load the U-Haul and on the
22nd we will head for Wisconsin--with you in the truck with us." I had no choice. I had to finish the tasks at hand. It was
a good thing. Procrastination is such a great defense, and now I knew it wasn't one I could use.
And so the move was completed. The house is like my own little dollhouse, although it really
isn't that small. I feel like I am a little girl all over again, and I get to "play house" in my very own place. I even have
my very own office, with room for all of my books to be displayed, my computer desk beside a nice window instead
of in front of it, blocking the sunlight. It was so exciting to picture where everything belonged that I had finished unpacking
and putting everything away in five days! Not bad for an old lady! One of these days I will get some pictures added to a page
on my website, so stay tuned.
So, my old life is behind me. What remains are the memories. Mission Socorro will continue
to operate, but many of the cries for help are now coming through the Internet and Mission Socorro's website. (Click on the
picture of Ivan and me above to get to the website.) But an exciting new life is just beginning. Billie and Tom Williams,
best friends extraordinaire, went not only the second mile to get me here; they went the five-hundred-and-forty-second
mile to rescue me. Words fail to express my gratitude to them.
My heartfelt thanks also go to all of my other
wonderful friends, both "real life" and "electronic," who have been so incredibly supportive to me as I walk a new path. I
couldn't have done it without all of you.
Until next month, I remain yours in writing,
Janet Elaine Smith
More "Newness" In Place
There has been a change of ownership of Star Publish LLC. My books will remain
the same, the availability will be the same--or better, and Kristie Leigh Maguire (the founder and former owner) will still
be watching over our shoulders as the "Publishing Consultant."
To view the changes, click on the Logo.
SEE YOUR
NAME IN LIGHTS
This month my hat is tipped to fellow author Hillary Kemp. We first "met" on
a couple of writers' e-groups. I have read her book, which was delightful. On the groups, Hill shares a lot of great tips,
both on writing and on marketing. She is a force to be reckoned with in both arenas. Thus it was with great delight that I
read her comment on my website, which you see in lights below. Hillary Kemp, this month I happily salute you for your friendship
and your support. You can see more about her by clicking on the sign below, which will take you to her website.
| Want to see your name in lights? E-mail me |
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| If you have something to say about my books, my writing, my marketing aids, whatever is on your mind |
e-mail me
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| Order by clicking on cover |
WHAT'S UP, DOC?
What? You haven't heard about Monday Knight yet? It was
her knight in shining armor (in the form of her doctor) who came to her rescue when she thought she had lost everything.
Don't
dally. Tuesday Nolan, the second book in the Women of the Week series, is hot on Monday's heels. To see a bit more about
Monday, check on this website for the "Adventures of Monday Knight" or go to her own website. The book is available at almost any online bookstore, or check with your local favorite
bookseller. If they don't have it in stock, they can easily order it.
I don't have a firm release date yet, but I am hoping it will
be in less than two months. I will let you know when it's available. I promise, it's another fun JES read!
ONE-STOP SHOPPING
To make it easier for you, please just click here to get the low-down on all of my books.
Just jump on (click on) the train to escape to the
land of your dreams. When our northern friends fly south, they are called "snowbirds." You can join them, even if you thought
you had to save all of your money for the IRS. Bon Voyage!
HERE'S YOUR PASSPORT TO FUN!
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
...and the price is right! Yes, IT'S FREE!
What is it? It's my "Sampler." It has the first chapter of each of my now-available books,
plus a sneak peek at three new ones that will be out this year. It's all together in one volume, which I will send to you
as an e-mail attachment.
In the first week it was out, I sent out over 400 copies of the Sampler. Women copied
it off to take to the laundromat. Doctors copied it off to put in their waiting rooms; it beats those year-old magazines!
Over 100 people wrote to tell me which of the book/s they had ordered. People wrote to ask me when the future ones would be
available.
How can you get it? Just send an e-mail to janetelainesmith@yahoo.com and it will be on its way to you in a matter of a few hours. It's a good way to have some fun!
When you have finished reading the Sampler, if you have printed it off, give it to someone
else. If you want to copy it to a disk for your friends, go right ahead. If you want to e-mail it to someone, be my guest.
It is a Biblical principle: give and it shall be given onto you. This one is yours to give freely to anyone you want to share
it with. Spread the word!
For that "serious" reader on your gift-giving list,
The Keith Trilogy is just the ticket.
It offers enough romance for a woman, enough adventure for a man, and enough intrigue
for everyone.
It is serious history--with a splash of Janet Elaine Smith thrown in for good measure.
| WALLACE MEMORIAL |
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| Edinburgh, Scotland |
| More pics from a "cousin" |
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| Thanks, Ellie Keith |
Exciting new pictures added.
Just click on the gate below to enjoy them.
| COME ON IN TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN |
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| Click on the opening to gain passage to the castle |
Click here for your personal Road Map to Dunnottar Castle (through a description of the books and ordering information).
Wonder what my life is like? Check out my blog.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THAN
YOURSELF AND TO BE SURE YOUR MONEY WILL GET TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT, PLEASE COME TAKE A LOOK HERE.
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