CARMEN LEE--LIFE IS NOT A VACATION, IT IS A JOURNEY

The original picture with a hand and a tear

The "book ready" picture after Mr. Caron fixed it

The picture on the cover of the book

I received a great letter from a cousin Erlene, who lives in CA.  Her mother, Ruth, lives with Erlene and her husband.  Ruth is a first cousin as her dad, Ansel, was mom's brother.  Ruth was in Mom and Dad's wedding.  Three summers ago Terry and I stopped and visited them on one of our national park trips.  But, why am I writing about Erlene?  She wrote this heart warming letter about growing up on a farm, taking care of the chickens, driving the tractor etc.  She then went on to say how much she enjoyed reading my book and how she has shared it with other family members.  I broke out in a huge smile as she wrote that her mother, Ruth, has already read it twice! 
I continue to have fun with the book.  I purchased 180 books and have 46 left.  Many were given away but many were sold as well.  On line, it is on LuLu, Amazon and Barnes and Nobles, sixty-three have sold.  They sell in the form of hard cover, paperback and e-book.  LuLu sends a check every 3 months IF enough books have sold.  I think I have received 3 checks so far.  I have set up a "book" account at the bank and each time I go in to deposit a check I go through this story of these huge checks I receive and I can hardly wait until I get my first million.  Just to set things in perspective, my last check was for $23!  It does provide some fun.  There are also people in Naples who buy it from time to time.  A neighbor came over yesterday and purchased one for her friend who has a friend who grew up in rural WI.  I continue to make progress to a "break even point" and at the present I have recouped 25% of my investment!  Well, it is better than nothing or 10%.
Terry and I are now thinking about what to do after we see all of our national parks.  We have 4 left and we need to do those BUT after that----.  We are thinking perhaps we will visit the 13 presidential libraries. They are in 11 different states and go from CA to MA.  We will see.
Terry and I remembered to set our clocks ahead one hour so now, for at least the next month, we can say, "It is 10 but really it is 9!.
FP went the way of the cold brew last night, the bottom of the cup came up!