A Great Dog's Life Remembered

 

              This week I made it to the county seat of a neighboring rural county a distance away.  I go there sometimes to get horse and animal supplies, and we hadn't been there in a while.  Grandson and I were happy to go with all the trees in their full glory in reds, yellow, oranges and a little green.

                Often when we go to this town we encounter a man who is a veteran, who walks with an exceptionally well trained dog who is large part rottweiler.  He once told me that the dog is an emotional support dog.   "Aren't they all? " I said,  not really getting, at that moment, what he was trying to tell me, about himself.   Over the years we have really enjoyed encountering them. My grandson, now eight, has grown up going to this town, eating in the little "mom and pop" restaurant, shopping in the locally owned stores, and encountering the dog and his man. 

                  I cannot effectively relate how lovely this dog always was to me. The man affectionately called him "Dog Meat", and he certainly was the most muscular or meaty dog I think I have ever known.   The dog was a true muscular giant with a heart of gold.  Most dogs like me, even when I did the census, and this one was no exception. He was always glad to see me, and he clearly recognized me each time I saw him.  His owner had a theory that his dog, who had been a puppy on a farm and whose early best friends had been horses, smelled horses and my other multiple dogs on me, and knew that I was a friend to both horses and dogs. The dog was consistently obedient, loving and sweet although occasionally, his enthusiastically wagging tail would smart your legs as he wagged.

                  I remember taking one of my larger dogs to an immunization event in this town during the COVID lockdowns, and there was "Dog Meat" and his owner.  "Dog Meat" was happy to see me, but the dog I had brought, part Borzoi and German Shepherd, was a new acquisition to me, and he wasn't the least bit happy to see that a dog as muscular as "Dog Meat" not only knew me, but took an interest in me. My poor shepherd mix quickly conveyed that he was ready to fight to the death if necessary. I told "Dog Meat" I would see him next time, and that this new dog didn't know him.  He seemed to understand. But of course, "Dog Meat" has always been a highly intuitive dog.

                   This week when my grandson and I went to the town, we saw the veteran walking another dog.  The new dog is a large young shepherd, and of course, doesn't know us. I did know that the man had been planning to get a second dog, and to begin training him. I asked about "Dog Meat" and how he was doing. The man had tears in his eyes as he related that "Dog Meat" had died three weeks before. The large dog had been ten years old, and although he was healthy until about half of his last day, the man knew that his friend's passing would soon be inevitable, simply due to age . "Dog Meat" seemed relieved at the man's having brought the shepherd puppy home, knowing that his owner was deeply dependent upon him, and would need a new dog on which to depend..

                  "Dog Meat", my family and I were deeply dependent upon you too. Seeing you every time I went to the town, and having you happy to see me was such an affirmation of so many things. It affirmed that dogs are as bright as I know them to be, and that they recognize the people who truly adore the species. I know that many people from town will miss you, even the police officer who insisted that you still be on a leash, even though you could walk with your owner totally obediently without one.  Even during difficult times, "Dog Meat" could lift my own spirits.  We love you and thank you for a life so well lived. You will be sorely missed, and will be remembered always.

                 As we went to leave, the dog's owner said to me. "I will never forget him, and I am not sure I will ever get over him".  "I understand", I replied.  "You will go on because he wants you to, but you will always remember and you will always miss him."  The man deserved not to have the truth sugar coated.  I miss so many wonderful dogs who are gone from my life now, even when they lived to and beyond their normal life expectancy.  

                 Godspeed, "Dog Meat".

As the Times Turn

                 

 

 

   Like most children, I spent a lot of time trying to understand my parents.  I grew up in the 1970s, and they seemed to worry a good deal.  My father worried about potential job losses and recessions and gas prices. He worried about our safety and about people who seems inappropriately interested in his children.  My mother worried about our educations and whether we were learning as much as we needed to. She never seemed happy, and at times, I think she was depressed.  To me, this seemed silly.  We lived in a rural community which became more suburban as I grew. The crime rate was low. Families bought new cars regularly. Most of us had a pretty decent annual vacation.  Every parent I knew was happily employed, and if something went wrong, they found a new job within two weeks to a month.  There were opportunities for everyone who wanted them, it seemed to me, and those who wished to attend colleges had their pick.

                    What I didn't understand at the time, was that my father had signed up for the Merchant Marine at 16, and had seen WWII from the standpoint of the ship delivering the supplies.  My mother had been one of the children separated from her family and sent to live in the country when London was unmercifully bombed. She lost friends, family and loved ones. She literally did not see any family for a couple of years, and her life had not been easy. The war had taken much from them and had caused them to find one another later than they may have otherwise, and it had therefore caused them to have their children later than they otherwise may have had them.

                   I had not understood as a child and as a teen was that my parents had worked very hard to find the place and to craft the circumstances in which I had the luxury of living as I did and of judging them for being too concerned, and for not enjoying life as I thought they should.

                   God has both a sense of humor and a desire to answer some of the questions we once asked in our youth.  As my own young adult children, my little grands, and my family navigate gas prices of $4.60 a gallon, and home prices higher than my kids had ever imagined, in an era where Russia invades Ukraine, and a demented fool occupies our White House, I understand my parents better. They knew turmoil and loss and even when it seemed over, they had the knowledge that difficult times could and likely would return again someday.  My family stands now on the precipice of these really difficult times again.

                     So as you navigate these difficult times with so much skin in the game, remember that your grandparents, your parents, your children and your grandchildren have been trained by the times in which they lived in order to navigate them. Try to look on them with love rather than thinking them out of sync or perhaps behind the times.  In a sense, we are experts at living in the times in which we now find ourselves.

 

 

 

The Granite Rock is Now Available in Varietal Electronic Forms

 

 

 

I am pleased to announce that "The Granite Rock" is available as an e-book at the following links:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-granite-rock

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1490386309

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-granite-rock-jane-alexandra-krehbiel/1134913483?ean=2940163194391

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082DF7CV3

https://booklocker.com/books/10664.html

 

 

 

 

 

"The Granite Rock", My Third Novel, Is Released

      "The Granite Rock", my sixth book and third novel has been released for sale.

You can get softcover copies at:

https://booklocker.com/books/10664.html


Very shortly, this book will be available on Amazon and worldwide at quality booksellers. 


 

Westward: The Novel Available in Varietal Electronic Forms

                Although the soft cover version of Westward: The Novel was available in late August, varietal electronic versions took a bit more time.   I am pleased to announce that they are now ready and can be located at:

  


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J4VK99P

It is also up at the other stores:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/westward-jane-alexandra-krehbiel/1129481765

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/westward-the-novel/id1438371156

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/westward-the-novel



The paperback copy remains available at:

 https://www.amazon.com/Westward-Novel-Jane-Alexandra-Krehbiel/dp/1591136431




and at:


https://booklocker.com/books/9981.html

"Westward: The Novel" is Released !

"Westward: The Novel is a 6x9 inch paperbound book with 322 pages. It is also available electronically.

                  "Westward: The Novel" is my fifth book, and second novel.   This time, it's not about disaster preparedness, the true story of a family dealing with the death of a child, a novel about an intelligence analyst and his family making a go of life on a large acreage during an economic collapse, or the true story of the life of an American world explorer.  This time, it's a novel that traces the life of a young woman with small children who must return to work after the death of her husband. She not only finds work and builds a new career for herself while parenting her children, but she finds the second great love of her life.  This is a story of overcoming obstacles and then of taking chances. It also follows her through the process of blending a new husband who has never been married or had children to a family with four of them.  This book was designed to be read by either men or women.  It is also meant to be a story of hope and of inspiration as all of the primary characters do move forward in life.

             Today, it is available at this website   https://assets.booklocker.com/pdfs/9981s.pdf 

It should shortly be available on Amazon.    In the weeks that follow, it will ultimately be available worldwide and will be available at any bookstore and also eventually at libraries.   I will update as I learn of its availability.

            It's ISBN # is:   978-1-59113-643-9


            If you do purchase this book, particularly on Amazon, if you could write even a brief review that helps to get more people interested in the book and in reading in general.  Thank you !


           This is the first time that "practical Jane" has written what is, in part, a love story so it covers new ground in that respect.  I hope you enjoy it.

"Westward: The Novel" is Coming Very Soon

     Within about the next week or so, my newest "baby", a 6x9 inch, 322 page work, named "Westward:The Novel" will be available for sale.

      This book is the story of a young woman with four children who is suddenly widowed.  Through her shock and confusion, compounded by not having any additional family, she sets out to work in order to support her family.  This is the story of how she finds a way to work, and to care for her children.  It is also the story of her discovery of the "second great love of her life" and how they both manage their differences and that find a way to build a family together.

         I will update this blog as soon as the book is released.

Why I am a Genre-Jumper

           

                    Publishers tell authors that the best way to cultivate a following, as an author, is to write in one genre. One releases a book, markets it, and ideally, each time one releases a book you have purchasers who buy your book because they were already hooked on your prior published efforts. This is the way, they say, to cultivate a following. This has certainly worked for Patsy Cornwell, John Grisham,  Stephen King and Dean Koontz.  (Yes, Hi, you'all, I am quoting you.)

                   Why then, am I a Genre-Jumper?  (Yes, my word, no one elses)
I have often said that I write what I see needs to be written. Then it is to be released into the world to be read and to help others, as it will be there far longer than I.  My first book was actually Rational Preparedness:A Primer to Preparedness.  It was written because families needed a book that would allow them to prepare for different types of emergencies written in a concise and clear manner, so that they could make reasonable disaster preparations in the space of one short weekend.

My second book is the story of the life and times and the loss of my beloved son Daniel. What I Learned from Daniel, is not only the sharing of a remarkable young man who was sent to our family, but contains wisdom on surviving grief and loss as a family, and finding comfort and even contentment afterward.

                 I might have stopped there had there not been a request or series of them for a novel with a preparedness but not a post-apocalyptic theme. My first novel,  Portsoy Woods, tells of a family who relocates from the suburbs to an extremely rural environment just prior to an American financial collapse.

   In November of last year, I found myself writing a very difficult piece, entitled, Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey: The Life of the Explorer.   Explorer Kelsey was not only a sixteen year old radio operator during WWII who was in Okinawa on a ship when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but not much time later, he was in Bari, Italy, just after the Luftwaffe bombed every ship in the harbor. Subsequent years found him as the young radio operator on the Finn Ronne Antarctic Expedition, and later in Afghanistan and Pakistan on the Fairservis Archaeological Expedition. His many exploits continue throughout his lifetime. He was a very interesting father to have had.

                 My fifth book is in the works. It's a novel that lays bare both loss and romantic love, another departure in writing for me.

                   I genre jump because I want to relate all that I see or have experienced in life, in novel form or otherwise.  Don't you think reading just one genre would be boring?     That's what I thought!

Sometimes, There's Recognition

            

 

  Writing isn't always a thankless job. Occasionally I cash a royalty check and have a shopping spree the the Dollar Store. If you don't go there often, then it's astounding as to how much you can really spend there.
             
                This week writing brought a pleasant surprise.   Rational Preparedness: The Blog, an effort of mine which is ten years old and was a project in tandem with my podcast of the same name, and with my book Rational Preparedness:A Primer to Preparedness, received an important accolade.
The Blog was selected as "One of the 74 Best Blogs for Survival and Preparedness for 2018".
             
                 Thank you to everyone who reads this blog and who comments.

https://www.jaysguide.com/best-survival-blogs/#wwwrationalpreparednessblogspotcom

Things Jane Doesn't Like About Being an Author

              

The world is a massive blank slate of much to write about. Why steal my ideas or concepts ?

          I belong to a number of  author groups although I don't spend much time there.  Many of the authors there complain about aspects of the process of writing, or the solitude, or revisions etc.  I have concluded that I am not like most authors because none of those things really bother me. The process of writing to me, is a dream job.  Most of the time I outline the project. I get up at three or four am to get about four hours of writing done before the rest of the day begins. Most of my projects aren't really free form. I follow my own outline and within a chapter, I have specific objectives I need to meet before that chapter is linked up to the next.  No one likes revisions, but when revisions went from the typewriter to the computer, then it became a much less labor intensive task. I also don't mind the solitude. If I get four hours of writing done after four am, and before I tackle caring for the horses each morning, then I can leisurely put in another couple or several hours later in the day, and if I want, I can see or talk to other people.

                 There are some aspects of modern day writing that I don't care for, in fact, they irk me very much.   It bothers me that my work or comments I might make in articles or books are copied and enlarged upon. I know that imitation can be a sincere form of flattery, but it annoys me anyway.   It also bothers me that intellectual property laws are weak internationally and that a crook in another country can sell a copy of my book in a manner in which I will never be paid.  Lastly, it irks me that a person I haven't heard from in years can read one of my books, figure out who I once was, and then contact me as if we are the best of friends.  If you moved on, and don't know me now, then you chose it, and let it be.

                 I suppose that everyone has pet peeves about whatever they do, and that writers should be no exception.   It does make it hard sometimes to be positive about writing a new book when the last one sold copies for which I will never be paid.

Electronic Versions of Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey:The Life of the Explorer Now Available

    Effective November 30, 2017, my latest book, the above, was released.    This is the first link I have found where it is for sale:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1634927850/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512141728&sr=1-4

     My father was an original prepper and an original survivor in a number of harsh and foreign lands. He is no doubt where a lot of my interest and mindset in preparedness is derived.

   
     Thank you for your interest and a special thanks goes out to those who contributed or aided me in some way in this most difficult of my books.

  These are the links for electronic versions of this book:

Amazon Store URL - https://kdp.amazon.com/…/dualbookshelf.marketpla…/B0782819RV

BN Store URL - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lawrence-dewol…/1127574533…

Apple Store URL - http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1323654643

Kobo Store URL - https://www.kobo.com/…/lawrence-dewolfe-kelsey-the-life-of-…

   

A Release Update on My Fourth Book

  This is a release update on my fourth book.   Thank you so much for your patience.

https://explorerldkelsey.blogspot.com/2017/11/more-information-on-release-of-lawrence.html




 

Coming Soon: A Fourth Book

         

Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey, taken just before the Finn Ronne Antarctic Expedition of the 1940s.

            Shortly, I hope that my fourth book will be available for sale and distribution, probably sometime in late November, 2017.



               This next book is the biography of the explorer, Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey, who was a WWII ship's radio officer, at first in the Merchant Marine. Next, he became the radio officer on the Finn Ronne Antarctic Expedition of the late nineteen-forties. Afterward, he held assignments in the North Pole and then on to Afghanistan.  The book is not only a story of the occupational life of this man, from a fascinating era, but is also a story of his challenges, sorrows and triumphs. Lawrence Kelsey is also my father.

               I hope that you are able to make time to read what has been my most challenging book to write thus far.  Thank you for your support and encouragement with regard to this project..



  It will be entitled, Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey: The Life of the Explorer

Embroiled in a Writing Marathon

                   I apologize for my minimal presence on the blogs.  I have been writing my fourth book which is a true story of the life of a modern day explorer. It has been very challenging, in part, because it has required so many interviews of people who were involved in an expedition or a project of some kind.  I have reached 102,000 words thus far. The project is not yet finished, and then the process of revisions must take place before it goes on to editing.   Thank you for checking back.  Have a lovely autumn.

Writing Can be Hard Work

                   

                   Thank you for all of you who bought or downloaded a copy of Portsoy Woods.
      I am currently working on an historical biography which is tough going because there are so many historical facts that have to be checked and verified before telling the stories within the book. Thus far, the new book has attained about sixty-seven thousand words, and I don't yet know how many words it will be when it's complete. I have also to complete about three more interviews in advance of writing or completing certain chapters.  I also have not yet reached one of the people I would like to interview for his perspective, who now lives in Europe.

                   I had hoped to have this book released by late autumn, but this is the most difficult and complex project I have undertaken, and it might take longer. Once it is complete from my standpoint, it needs to be read by several people I trust. Then I must polish and review and make revisions.  In short, some projects don't flow like wine, or even honey.

                  I hope all of you have had an enjoyable and safe summer.

Portsoy Woods is Available in Ebook Form

 Three more stores are now carrying the ebook version of my newest book:  Portsoy Woods


BN Store URL - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/portsoy-woods-jane-alexandra-krehbiel/1125132787?ean=2940156820924

Apple Store URL - http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1179246931

Kobo Store URL - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/portsoy-woods


of course,  Amazon has it also:


Amazon Store URL - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRO40DO


Of course, quality paperback versions will always be available


 http://booklocker.com/books/8874.html

Portsoy Woods, My New Novel, Is Released for Sale !

          It is with great relief and some joy that I announce that Portsoy Woods, my third book and first novel has been released for sale, effective November 10, 2016.

 

   Just now, the best places to obtain a copy will be:


http://booklocker.com/books/8874.html

and

https://www.amazon.com/Portsoy-Woods-Jane-Alexandra-Krehbiel/dp/1634918738/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479039317&sr=8-1&keywords=portsoy+woods


This is my author page on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Alexandra-Krehbiel/e/B00J94CM9U/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1


There will be worldwide distribution, but this will take some time.

This is a synopsis of the story:


Portsoy Woods

  This is the story of a young intelligence analyst from Northern Virginia who convinces his wife that their young family with four small children, should relocate from the relative comforts and security of their suburban home to a large acreage tract in a very rural setting.  This is a difficult decision for them to make as it takes them from friends, family, and from good jobs with a negligible commute. The decision to relocate is certainly, at first, counter-intuitive.
          They relocate and find that even within their own state, a completely different rural culture and to some degree, different values exist in comparison. Their journey. their new friends and their learning is explored, as the economy and culture of the United States deteriorates. They also endure some personal losses, uncertainties, and disasters along the way.

            Although this book will probably attract those who are interested in preparedness, pre-emptive relocation, and survivalism, this story of family is about much more. It is about the value of flexibility, resilience, hope, faith, loss,  and charity for one's family and friends.




    Reviews on Amazon are always appreciated !    Thank you.

Before a Novel is Born

We hold our work sometimes as long as possible, but eventually, it's time for it to open the door and meet the world.

 Writing can be discouraging work sometimes.  Sometimes, rather than thinking that "This is my third book, and since this one is a novel and is broadly fictional, there should be less fact checking, and less precision required", I am not.  Instead I am overwhelmed sometimes at the complexity of the work, and because I have written this particular work, as a friend and very successful author has suggested, without an outline.  In future, I will write as I am comfortable, and not as others suggest. My process is my own and changes to it should be self generated.
     When the work itself is complete, other aspects begin.  Photographs must be taken, for the cover, and also of me.  I must consider whether I will include any pictures or drawings within the book itself. Then, when all is complete on my end, I must make some decisions as to which publisher will become this books home. There are quite a few alternatives, since fictional works are often placed with different publishers than factual works.  I'll let you know how it progresses...

Progress

              

(  Photo:  theodysseyonline.com   )

      I am back to writing again, despite the demands on my schedule from other sources.

 I write a bit each day, and have thirty thousand words written for a novel, thus far.   I plan to keep going

and see where the characters and their setting take me.      Stay safe and stay positive.

An Author Stalled

             

             I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted here.  This past year have brought many personal challenges, chances to do good in the world, but alas not a lot of chances to make money, or to broaden the availability of my books or their sales.  I must report that some of my friends who are authors, whom I have encouraged, have been wildly successful this year.  One of them now has a trilogy coming out and is being published by Simon and Schuster.  Perhaps my skills lie in the development of other artists, and not actually in my own skills or perspectives.  Friends say, "It's just not your time yet", but I think they may just be being polite. Perhaps my skills are limited or my perspectives simply don't resonate with the American public. Perhaps my views and interests are just too heady.

                 I'll leave you with these thoughts, and the idea that where many of us are, may simply be where God wishes us to be.