I love the autumn. I love the colors, the cool weather, the excitement of the holidays coming up. I am able to go outdoors during the day without feeling as if my skin is searing off in the nuclear sunshine of Phoenix.
Many, many people love the heat, but not I. I want weather where I can actually go outdoors, walk the dogs, and garden. Autumn suits me in Phoenix. Winter does as well. Spring is pretty nice, except the weather gets so hot again around the end of April.
But really, I wanted to talk to you about being melancholy for the holiday season. This time of year is pretty tough for us. I am sure many of you understand. As much as I love the upcoming holidays, I also miss our loved ones who’ve gone to be with Jesus. My Dad died January 21, 1996, and Mom followed him December 19, 2016. Their death anniversaries surround our holiday events. I know many more people die in the winter times. Here are the stats:
In the US, winter death rates are 8–12% higher than non-winter rates. This is due to a number of factors, including:
- Respiratory illnesses: The flu and other respiratory infections are more prevalent in the winter.
- Cold temperatures: Cold temperatures can make it harder to withstand adverse environmental conditions.
- Increased risk of heart attack or stroke: Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Home fires: Home fires are more common in the winter.
- Hypothermia: Hypothermia is a greater concern in the winter. (But not as much in Phoenix.)
GET your FLU shots if you are able. Or stay home, away from other people. I know vaccines are just smart.
That side-bar takes me back to being melancholy. I also know, even though I dislike the sun in Phoenix, I can’t live well in places that are overcast all winter, either. That darkness depression is a real thing.
I get very, very cranky if there are too many days of cloudiness without some sunshine. The whole experience is physical. Now all that being said, northern Arizona has much cooler weather, and a lot fewer cloudy days than say, Seattle. Hopefully, someday we’ll change our address to there. (not Seattle).
I‘m already planning for Thanksgiving. I want to celebrate the time with as many people as possible. We often set up tables and chairs on our driveway. We bake turkey, potatoes, Lebanese food, pies… that’s not even the half of it, either.
TJ and I give thanks to God, and our Lord Jesus Christ all the time, but especially during this time of year. We are thankful for our family, our kids, grandkids, and extended family, as well as our friends and neighbors.
In the meantime, we write books. TJ’s book, the Night Bird, hit the shelves a couple weeks ago. This was a rewrite of this book. Lots of editing took place. Lots of editing.
There’s tons of adventure when US Marshall Jay Adams is home with his wife when there’s a knock on his front door. His son and two other US Marshalls come to get him. They are calling him back to field duty to track down a man that some are calling a mad scientist. People have been killed, buildings destroyed, and government secrets are missing. The government wants US Marshall Jay Adams to lead the team. Before he retired, he used to always got his man. He, with his son, and his son’s team, board a specially designed airship–a dirigible. They go after one of the wealthiest men in the world, Doctor Sky. The scientist is now on the most dangerous man list with US Marshall Service. In their airship, powered by steam and an electric motor, they travel across the country just one step behind the Doctor.
I‘m working diligently on the follow-on book to Death at Hells Canyon Quarry. My detective, Allen Anderson, and his aide, Rebecca Tsosie are on a new adventure to solve another serial murder in their small town of Ash Fork, Arizona. Rebecca is in her last semester at the NAU branch at Yavapai College in Prescott, when she hears about murders there of young men who went to Ash Fork High School. She and Detective Allen begin assisting the Prescott Police Department to ascertain who may be involved, what the motive is, and whether or not they can help before more young men are killed.
We have an event coming up November 24, in Oro Valley, north of Tucson: Oro Valley Writers Forum – Tohono Chul; 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704; Sunday, November 24⋅10:00am – 3:00pm. If you are able to join us, we’d love to see you!
In the meantime, we love to hear from you. If you read this, please send me an email. If you’ve read a book, reviews on Amazon are amazing. Thank you. God bless.
Mirror Gate Chronicles 