I left off the last blog by telling you (confessing) how whiny I was. Poor TJ. I have to admit, a lot of this was because I was tired. One night when rain was coming at us, I became afraid to close my eyes to sleep. I made a mistake and looked at the weather channel. TJ, bless his heart, said God told him everything would be okay. I said okay. Then I rolled over and I went to sleep. Amazing, right? One of our lights over the bed had shorted out. The 9 volt battery in the fire alarm was bad, so that it wasn’t working. Then God told TJ everything would be all right. And it was. I slept until about 6:30 a.m. A decent sleep, too.

We only have to remember who our God is because here I am. At home. Writing a blog for you. Of course, God does not protect us from everything. I had to go through my two cancer ordeals. I am left with neuropathy in my feet. TJ had to go through his heart attack. He’s left with some weakness, but he hangs in there like the champion he’s been throughout our lives. This is a strong, decent man. I thank God for him everyday.

On my bucket list, was seeing Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monuments. We live in Arizona, so we’ve been to the Grand Canyon half a dozen times. I was so tired, I whined and told him we could go home before getting to Keystone. He said no. He said he knew I wanted to see Rushmore. We would be fine. AND the day was so worth the trip. The weather was beautiful there. The monuments were amazing.

Mount Rushmore

Crazy Horse

After seeing these places, we headed for home, which was still two days away because we were pulling the trailer. But now, getting home wasn’t as worrisome except when we ran into rainy weather. The entire middle of the country, from New Mexico to Michigan to Montana and back down to Arizona, had rain. And Arizona? We have the huge fire at the Grand Canyon, ’cause little or no monsoon. Not even a haboob.

TJ and I are almost recuperated from being so tired, now. We’re thanking God for that! We won’t be going on another trip with the trailer until we get a few things fixed up. Like the water pump and the roof. TJ will be pulling the old water pump so we can get it replaced correctly. Then he and I will be slopping rain stopping goop on the roof seams and anywhere rain can get inside the trailer.

We’re (sadly) missing our trip to the San Juan Islands for the time being. But! We are working to finish the sequel murder mystery to Death at Hells Canyon Quarry. Becky Tsosie isn’t a high school student any longer. She’s almost finished with her degree at Yavapai/Northern Arizona University extension campus where she’s studying Criminology. While she waits for the FBI to respond to her application, Becky assists Detective Allen Anderson on another serial murder of college aged young men. Why are they being systematically murdered at Yavapai Community College and how are they connected to another cold case in Ash Fork? Keep an eye out for Murder at Yavapai Community College… coming in September!

Additionally, TJ’s story, The Man Who Rode Dragons, is on Amazon! Two friends, who by a peculiarity in the vortex, find themselves in the realm of magical creatures. This is a place where dreams come from. After spending two days there, Bill and Larry return but have no memories of the place. Then, the day before graduation from Arizona State University, two people arrive from the other realm. They need Bill and Larry’s help. Neither Bill nor Larry remembers anything about their trip to the other side. The two from the other realm return their memories to them. When that happens, they agree to go back. There is one glitch. Diana, Larry’s girlfriend, wants to go as well. During the memory transfer, she learns what they remember. Now the three are off on an adventure they never expected.

As always, TJ and I love to hear from you. We did have fun with family in the Tulsa area and in Michigan, even though when I was tired, I was whiny. Ruby Sue is the best traveling companion. TJ isn’t bad either. We were thinking of calling the trailer Falkor, but now, I’m convinced he should be called Artax. Some will get this reference.

If you’ve read one of our books, please let us know. Leave a review on Amazon, as this helps our algorithm there, and moves us up the suggested book lists. We appreciate and thank all of you who read the blogs! God bless. Finally, I put scripture in my blog to remind me how I’m to act. Just so you know!

James 5:7–11

Patience in Suffering — 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.