whereisjodi.

Last night I popped my head in to say goodnight to my dad and he pulled me in to watch a few minutes of Primetime. They were doing a story on some dude who said angels came to him and told him he was the second coming of Jesus, with Christ's spirit in him. The worst thing was that he had a load of followers, many churches and a worldwide ministry. I couldn't stomach too much, but what I saw said there was no more sin because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross...so you could basically do whatever you wanted. His followers were also getting 666 tattoo'd on their body for some unknown reason.

Meanwhile I read about a series CNN was doing about God's Warriors or something like that, highlighting the "fanatics" among Jews, Muslims and Christians. Unfortunately I've had scheduling conflicts and missed all three nights, but I'm hoping they'll replay them sometime so I can take a look. Seems to me they're working pretty hard to make Evangelicals look as evil in the eyes of the world as Jihadists, but maybe I'm just being paranoid.

...And the sadness. Right after I post I'm going out to rip the vinyl siding off of Bertha so I can put her up for adoption sale. Anyone want to buy a slightly used RV, or perhaps trade for an old clunker and some cash? She was a good bird but the time has come. Of course, I've just told the Lord that I'm taking the step of faith to put her up for sale but He's going to have to bring a buyer if this is His will since it's not the most opportune time of year to sell...

Posted by authorjodi at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I spent most of yesterday attending a funeral and other associated activities -- in case some of you were wondering what caused my sudden and unexpected race across the country, that's the event I was endeavoring to make.

Today I started trying to arrange the room in my parent's basement which will be my home until the end of the year. Thankfully it's not quite 100 degrees outside, but I do have to keep switching between working outside in Bertha and working on the computer in the ac'd basement so I don't swelter. I keep reminding myself that at least it's dry heat -- no humidity in sight! ;)

I'm trying to get Bertha cleaned out as quickly as possible so I can settle into this new stage a little sooner. To be honest, it's a little bit weird being back and I imagine it'll take some time before I find the right rhythm for the next several months.

Had a fun book fact related to me a couple days ago -- apparently the English teacher at our local Christian high school found my book in the library, read it, and thought so much of it that she put it on the required summer reading list for her Honors English class. I never even considered that market...I'll have to try to figure out how to crack into more schools.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After the blown tire and vapor-lock detours, I had 750 miles left to cover yesterday. Thankfully, by the grace of God, I rolled to a stop in front of my folks house in the early evening. I think I heard Bertha give a sigh of relief, but that could have just been my imagination. ;)

It was more than weird to drive into town after such a long absence and I know I've a bit of debriefing and decompressing to do. My first inclination this morning was to put a sold sign on Bertha and run up to Albertson's to pick up a job application...but I think I'll give myself a few days before making any rash decisions. Meanwhile, it's just good to be home.

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Posted by authorjodi at 05:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, I guess I made too much fun yesterday because I only managed to get into one new state today. And I did something I hadn't done all year long. Namely, I blew out a tire.

I got up this morning after a lovely 9-hour siesta and drove one mile to the next exit for gas. After that I traversed a mere 10 miles before a horrid sound and a quick application of brakes and a slow death-crawl to the side of the road. Whipping out my trusty cell and Good Sam membership card, I commenced holding for 30 minutes, before finally connecting to someone who could contact someone else who could help.

Turns out the 'someone else' was in Terre Haute, a couple hours distant. Meanwhile, I'd decided I should probably wait outside because I was only about a foot off the road and trucks kept flying by at high speed, rocking poor Bertha mercilessly. I put Cali in her carrier and had just sat down in my lawn chair at a safe distance when a policeman pulled up. Apparently it's safer to wait inside...so I laid on my couch for the next hour and a half and waited for wonderful, handy Dennis to arrive and save the day.

My spare was still in good working order after a year riding on Bertha's backside and a mere 30 minutes later I was speeding down the road. I only covered 400 miles today which is significantly less than the goal, but I began to hear strange noises from the other tire -- which I probably should have mentioned Dennis checked and advised changing sooner rather than later -- so I got worried and began looking for a Wal-Mart to stay in so I can hit the tire shop first thing tomorrow morning. Plus it started raining as it got dark so it's not a bad night to stop early.

Posted by authorjodi at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pretty good for only one day's driving! Of course out west it'd take a lot longer day's drive to get through five states...but to be fair I only went through the upper tip of West Virginia which turned out to be about 15 miles wide...and in the spirit of full disclosure I'm only a few miles into Illinois. ;)

I've parked between a couple running semi's and am very glad to be stopped after a little over 12 hours of rolling movement. The day didn't start off too well when I had to pay 14 smackers to drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Thankfully I could steer a different course for the majority of the way and didn't have to pay through Ohio and Indiana, but I'm wondering just what exactly is wrong with those states' administrators that they have to bilk their citizens. Free roads man! Viva la West Coast! :p

Ok, it's obvious I've been driving too long, I'm getting a little loopy. I'll tell one more story and then go to bed. After I got off the turnpike I was getting onto another freeway and got confused because the direction I thought I should be going was labeled westbound, but I was looking for the eastbound onramp. After a few moments of confusion, I realized I've been looking for the eastbound lane for almost a year and in actuality, yes, I did want the westbound lane.

Once is a slightly humorous anecdote, but unfortunately it happened again a few hundred miles down the road when I saw a sign out of the corner of my eye listing a detour for the eastbound lane of the freeway I was on. I quickly veered off before realizing DOH! I'd done it again. Hopefully I'll remember which direction I'm going a little better tomorrow!

Posted by authorjodi at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Several months ago a woman contacted me by e-mail that she'd read my book and thought we might possibly be relatives. We corresponded from then on and, since I was going to be in the area visiting another relative, she asked if I'd come do some kind of meeting. So, yesterday morning I drove out to Lancaster, PA and had my last scheduled event of the book tour.

I'm a little melancholy this morning. Once I get done writing up an entry about yesterday's events I'll be hitting the road. It took me almost 11 months to make it to the East Coast, but I'll be trying to mad dash back west in four days -- almost makes me think I need to make another trip doing the opposite loop. ;)

Continue reading "Lancaster, PA." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you a redneck if you go out in the middle of a thunderstorm with a kid-sized umbrella to prop up your power cord because you're worried you might get electrocuted but the only thing you can find to protect the cords is a couple of plastic bowls and when you lean down to arrange things your kid-sized umbrella is too small to cover everything so you get soaked all down your back but meanwhile you decide the bottom bowl is going to fill quickly with a lake of water and for sure electrocute you so you flip it over but then the whole apparatus is in danger when the top bowl keeps flying off in the wind so you have to search for rocks to hold it in place all the while getting struck by massive sheets of rain?

Or is that just called incompetence? ;) 

Posted by authorjodi at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Vacation Repost -- the first crisis I experienced with Bertha, back in October:

Lots of people I run into ask me whether I've seen the movie RV. Yes, my best friend made me go see it right before I went and picked Bertha up, then I rented it again to show my parents. Aside from the small dumping fiasco a week or two ago, I haven't had anything noteworthy to report in that vein. However, Tuesday night when I arrived in Moorpark I almost wished for a film crew.

The problem, as I see it, is Bertha's enormous length. Added to her length is a couple feet of a sort of arrangement that holds the scooter and plugs into the hitch. Driving up into their driveway I scraped for just a second, but went on not thinking too much about it. The next step was to drive up a rather steep hill to get into the riding arena, where I planned on parking for the week. Sadly, neither I nor the gal standing outside directing me heard the screeching and scraping until it was too late. At that point I was stuck, stuck and more stuck.

Continue reading "REPOST: The RV Story" »

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Vacation Repost -- the first completely out of character thing I did on the tour because I felt like God asked me to:

You might think after only a day on my own I’ve fallen off my rocker. Maybe I have. I took the scooter for a little troll on the gravel road along the river that I walked yesterday. There was a beautiful spot by a small rapid (the kind you would love, Mom) so I scooted back to the RV and got my supplies -- and added to my shopping list b/c I was without a few essential supplies…

Armed with an extra bath towel and a book, I went back and laid pretty comfortably, even though I was laying on a bed of rocks. After an hour or two of pondering, praying and trying to remember song lyrics, I decided to get up and continue my hike. So when did I fall of my rocker, you ask? It is at this point in the story.

Continue reading "REPOST: Clyde Holliday (not Halliday) State Park, Day 2" »

Posted by authorjodi at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you sense over the next couple days that I'm writing with more power and authority than usual, it's because I'm sitting in the shadow of Washington D.C. and some of that energy is bound to zap me. Of course, it's a little more likely that if I get zapped my entries will become increasingly incoherent... ;)

Last night I visited the local movie theater in Graham, North Carolina. Once my host dialed up the movie line for me to listen, I just had to go visit the theater. Apparently the good old boy who owns it leaves a new joke with the times every week and Howard Stern used to dial it up and play it on his show. Not sure why Howard would be interested -- the jokes were clean. :x Anyway, if you want a good laugh, call him up at 336-226-1488.

Continue reading "Graham, Gay Paree & Fried Electronics" »

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Sometime during this past weekend a flip switched in my head and I'm suddenly more than ready to go home. I'm not sure what exactly precipitated the change, although I have a feeling it might have something to do with the show last week. I spent the weekend experiencing not only the normal tiredness from pounding the pavement and trying to be up and friendly to so many strangers, but also a real weariness of spirit.

Some of my illusions were shattered last week. I don't really want to get into it, but I found the industry a different animal than I'd imagined. And after almost a year on the road trying to create that elusive 'buzz' with not much success <there's that word again>, I find I just really want a break.

Continue reading "Longing for Home." »

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There were quite a few interesting displays. This one was in the lobby, advertising a new devotional. Outside is one of the shuttles running around with Karen Kingsbury's face plastered on the side, advertising her latest book.

Continue reading "ICRS Pics." »

Posted by authorjodi at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well...instead of 'hitting the ground running' yesterday like I'd planned, I pretty much just hit the ground. In freshman psychology I learned that most simple of personality equations: extroverts are charged by people, introverts are drained. Yesterday I figured out just how drained I'd been over the course of the week when I couldn't stay awake for more than a couple hours at a time. :p

However, it's a new day and I owe a few stories. Monday morning the Super Session consisted of Joel Rosenberg, Tony Dungy and Priscilla Shirer. I hate to admit it, but I had no idea who the other two were and only showed up for Joel, who spoke first. I'm going to write about Joel and Priscilla in this week's e-newsletter, so I won't talk about them right now. If you want to hear more, feel free to subscribe in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

Continue reading "Tony Dungy & Erwin McManus." »

Posted by authorjodi at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite a last minute scare from a leak during the test run, I got on the road about 6pm and roared toward Georgia. Bertha has been holding up remarkably well, though I have to admit my faith in her is not 100% restored. However, I'm very grateful for the poor mechanic and staff who had to work a full day instead of their usual half-Saturday because Bertha's guts proved exceedingly difficult to maneuver in.

My hosts toasted me and my journey with sparkling apple cider and sent me off with a prayer -- a classy end to a really wonderful week. Actually, considering it began with an unexpected mega-expense and the fact that I was literally dumped on these folks' doorstep, I can't imagine them being more hospitable or me having a nicer week.

FYI, I've turned commenting off because I was getting inundated with spam. I'll turn it back on in a few days so the two of you who comment can get back to it. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 08:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Poor Bertha undergoing some delicate internal surgery. Yesterday they took out the old cruddy transmission and today they've been trying to get the new one in. Apparently they had to put a new cooler on the front of the radiator and it was bigger...so they had to jerryrig something. I, of course, know zilch about what they're doing but it's nice to trust the outcome to a Higher authority.

Speaking of knowing zilch, in the picture you may or may not be able to see that long tubey thing on the ground -- I got laughed at for not knowing it was the drive shaft. :p

Continue reading "Surgery." »

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Raise your hand if you know what it means to lunch an engine. I had to drive less than 20 miles today -- probably closer to 15 -- and a couple miles away from my destination I thought I noticed white smoke. However, it was rainy and misty and the smoke quickly dissipated, so I held my breath and kept going. One mile from my destination I stopped at a light and white smoke came circling around the cab.

This is not good.

But there were no lights on! Feel free to laugh, but in the absence of any innate car sense I cling tightly to the dashboard theory my father carefully explained to me -- if a light goes on pull over immediately. So no light...maybe I can limp one more mile to my destination.

Continue reading "Lunched." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Bertha made only a couple little burps along the road today so I have my fingers crossed that the crisis has passed. I'm overnighting near Tifton, Georgia...home of the infamous billboard that a farmer erected in his field which said "I apologize to the world that I voted for Jimmy Carter." It's also apparently the peanut capital of the world, so they've got all kinds of things going for them. ;)

It was difficult for me to get back on the road today. One of the truly lovely aspects of this trip has been meeting so many interesting and kind and odd and generous and ... people. Yes, I've met many, many different types but I won't list them all. :p The folks I just tore myself away from in lu-Fet were some of the best -- truly gracious hosts who couldn't have made me feel more at home.

I'm headed to Florida, despite earlier reservations about entering the land of perpetual humidity. There were just too many days before I have to be in Atlanta not to take advantage of some more opportunities, so off I go. Who knows what the next couple weeks will hold, but I'm fairly certain I won't be joining any retirement communities. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm sitting in a hotel outside Nashville that might be described as one step up from seedy, watching Angelina Jolie talk about A Mighty Heart on Larry King Live. I'm trying to remember whether I've ever actually watched Larry King...I guess I haven't for more than one or two questions at a time. I know he's Mr. Famous interviewer, but I find his style quite jarring -- jamming from question to question and topic to topic.

For instance, he made a rather insensitive comment about Ms. Jolie's mother dying, then jumped to a completely unrelated and somewhat silly question. I guess it's one step up from the five minutes of 'Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader' that I watched before, but I probably should just turn off the boob tube and get some work done. ;)

I'd planned to drive straight through to Alabama tonight, but decided as I approached Nashville to stop and get a hotel, then try to hit a few bookstores in the morning. Today was supposed to be a day of driving in fits and spurts so I could pass out books to different churches I saw along the way...but I guess I was outside the Bible Belt. A little different than Alabama, where I passed a church approximately every 30 feet. :p 

Posted by authorjodi at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Just how glamorous is life on a book tour? As you can see from this terribly interesting photo, I spent several hours this afternoon putting stickers on scads of books in my non-Hilton hotel. And that was after an action-packed 900 miles driven in 26 hours, complete with an interesting night's sleep in a gas station parking lot.

I almost felt at home last night, sandwiched in between ten RV's and several other car-travelers stopped for a few hours sleep under the bright lights of the Flying J Travel Plaza. ;)

I'll stop there as I've just spent five minutes staring at the screen trying to conjur up something interesting to say...I think I'm more tired than I realized!

I'll be vendorizing tomorrow at the Assocation of Christian Librarian's Conference at Cornerstone University. After I get over my early morning wake-up call and inject a little caffeine into my veins I'll try to make up for my anemic posting of the last few days.

Posted by authorjodi at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Love's is a truck stop/travel center for those of you unfamiliar...or more prone to appreciating your local Flying J. It's amazing how much I notice a simple thing like not being able to buy gas from a recognizable company. It's nothing like the cross-cultural shock of trying to find gas in a foreign country -- don't get me wrong -- but there's still something oddly unsettling going from one unfamiliar commercial establishment to another.

I'm sitting in the Arby's eating section at Love's, about 20 miles outside of Nashville. I took a short nap in the parking lot and will now catalogue for you the pros and cons I discovered this afternoon while traveling sans Bertha:

Pro: I can whip along at 75 and pass at will. I also went through traffic in Birmingham without white knuckles.
Con: I have to stop and find a public restroom which may or may not be sub-par.
Pro: I filled the gas tank for less than $100.
Con: Pretzeled in the front seat under the baking windshield, my catnap was of a lesser quality than I've become accustomed to.
Pro: While the car was on cruise control I didn't almost get up and grab an apple from the kitchen, which I unfortunately almost did once in Bertha.
Con: I'm lingering under the apprehension that I've forgotten something since I'm not accompanied by my entire household. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Bad Gas, Bad Jokes & Southern Comfort." »

Posted by authorjodi at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Rita, I laughed out loud at your comment about 'bad hair life' in the South and just had to share with the group. Thankfully my hair is long enough to put up in a ponytail, because that's about all I can do in this heat. It's 10:30 in the a.m. as I sit here typing this and already my hands are STICKING TO THE KEYBOARD! I may have to run into the W/M and find some talcum powder as you suggested.

I've always heard that it uses less gas for a truck to run all night than it does to shut off the engine and start it up again. But seriously! This truck parked next to me and ran for at least 12 hours -- how is it possible that they were saving fuel? It didn't ruin my sleep as I've gotten quite good at snoozing over the sound of trucks and cars screaming in at 3am with their radios blaring. Perhaps you ask, if I'm asleep at 3am how do I know the cars come screaming in? That is called dramatic license -- hyperbolic overstatement if you will, for the amusement of the reader. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've left the park and am sitting in another W/M parking lot, slowly melting into a puddle. How do people in the South handle this? Last night at the wine and cheese party we were discussing tornados, earthquakes and etc., and how sometimes you're much happier to stick with your particular hazards rather than move to another part of the country. Maybe humidity is that way -- if you're raised with it you get used to it. All I know is I'm seriously reconsidering my path over the next couple months!

I survived the whole week without seeing a snake, nor an alligator. I did get a raft of mosquito bites, but Gwen counted 79 bites in one part of Jim's back the other day so I think I'll take my 20 or so and not complain!

I've hatched a new plot to make myself a better marketer -- I can't stay in a park with blessed electricity for air conditioning unless I sell a book that day to cover the cost. I should say -- I've envisioned a new plot, I haven't committed to it yet! :p 

Posted by authorjodi at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

When I picked this location for a week of writing and preparation for the next steps of my trip I had no idea what was in store for me. Kind of like almost every other place I've stayed -- you'd think I'd be getting used to it by now!

First of all, my preparation for the next steps has been next to nil. Most of the week I spent catching up on the results of being out of the country for so long and working on a project for my old company. Both worthy endeavors -- especially the one that paid! ;)

Continue reading "Caddo Lake State Park." »

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Continue reading "Hurricane!" »

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I cased a power plant this morning with my aunt and uncle. I was telling them how I needed to do some research for book two -- they said there was one up the road and off we went. It felt pretty funny driving around plotting. In fact, when my dad called and I told him what we were doing my uncle made slit-throat motions so I made sure to mention it was for my NOVEL...just in case Echelon was listening. ;)

Now I'm sitting in front of my grandpa's house in Dallas, Texas with Bertha's front wheels up on the sidewalk to try to level the fantastically steep driveway. I've got to get up early to go hear him give devotions as he does frequently here at the Wycliffe Center. I'm not sure how it happened, but the last several relatives I've visited have been serious morning people. I may have to rearrange the schedule so that at the next stop I end up with someone who will let me sleep in! :p

I've got a brilliant redneck picture to post tomorrow -- last night my uncle and one of his employees attempted to fix Bertha's sickly step in an unusually inventive way.

Posted by authorjodi at 08:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cali had an interesting evening after my aunt asked me to bring her into the house to fraternize with their three dogs. Dog #1, so small it literally is the size of a New York sewer rat, loved Cali and followed her around sniffing her rear. Dog #2, about the size of Cali with similar black and white markings, skittered away anytime Cali looked at her. And finally, Dog #3, the big bad german shepherd Batman, was so afraid of Cali that he left any place she came. He was laying in his blanket ready for bed and Cali came over all friendly-like to join him. He left her the bed and went and hid behind a chair. He went and laid in the kitchen, she came to join him, and he left in a tearing rush. I tried to get a picture of the two of them together, but Batman wouldn't stay still long enough before bolting away.

Interesting article about one outcome of redefining marriage and family. I'm not going to write about it because I recorded a podcast episode on the topic, but thought some of you who don't listen might like to read it.

Posted by authorjodi at 03:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After closing my eyes for just one more moment after my alarm went off, I had 15 minutes to throw things willy-nilly into my bag before Dad raced me to the airport. Two flights later I'm sitting in the Phoenix airport for about three hours before catching my final connection to Tulsa.

Continue reading "Layovers." »

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Continue reading "Monday Morning Roundup." »

Posted by authorjodi at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

After less than 24 hours visiting my uncle just outside of Tulsa, I've almost decided that if America is ever invaded by a foreign power, I'm going to get in the car and drive straight here. He tells me that 70% of Oklahomans carry concealed weapons and the other 30% aren't able to.

Continue reading "Tulsa." »

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Continue reading "Tornado Shelters, Groom Cross & Armed Sheriffs." »

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This afternoon, for the first time since I left Boise at Christmas, I decided to get the scooter off it's perch and take a little trek through the open plains. I came across a few old buildings and one old-looking "Country Church" which I believe was its actual name. They had a sign out front announcing Wednesday night Bible Study so I thought, what the heck, it'll be fun.

Continue reading "Late." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Once I was watching a movie that described the space shuttle crash-landing in the Los Angeles canal system as a Class A Mishap. I have labeled my Mishap accordingly.

You see, as I mentioned during this morning's LBATL <Live Blogging at the Laundromat> Extravaganza, I've been having a bit of trouble finding propane the last few days. I began to wonder whether it was illegal in these here parts, so I decided to do a little investigatory work. On my walkabout this afternoon I managed to run across a woman in an alley who told me where I could score some top notch, grade A juice. Excellent!

Continue reading "Class S Mishap" »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I tell you what, this book tour is one excitement after another! :p I hesitate to tell you this is the first time I've hit the laundromat during this tour, but alas it is true. Thankfully, family visits have been timed ever so appropriately up til now.

Continue reading "Live Blogging from the Laundromat." »

Posted by authorjodi at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That was one of the nuggets of truth I wrote down from yesterday's Sunday School lesson at Kenna Community Church. And I mean that sincerely. Last night as I was trying to go to sleep I was overwhelmed with a feeling of uselessness over what I'm doing with my life at this moment. I got my first ever royalty check in the mail a couple days ago and in the year of 2006 I sold a grand total of 85 books through traditional venues. That's almost too humiliating to share with you. Granted, I sold more than twice that myself, but even then that's less than 400 books. I tried to reason myself out of the funk several different ways, but nothing seemed to work. As I sank further and further into despair, all of a sudden I remembered what the old cowboy had said -- and I told the devil to take a hike.

Either I'm doing what I say I'm doing -- trying to follow where God leads and earnestly asking Him to do what He wants with this book on a journey that's about so much more than book sales -- or I've been lying to myself and I really want to sell 20 million books. If I've been lying, I'd better start adding some swearing and sex into book two. If not, I guess I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Continue reading "Don't let the enemy kick your butt." »

Posted by authorjodi at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Who can guess where I was today?

Posted by authorjodi at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Cali is acting particularly psychotic tonight -- she's racing around like someone gave her a dose of heroin. I hear catnip is like kitty heroin, but she hasn't had any of that so I'm not sure what's going on. I imagine she'll calm down after awhile and get set for one of her 27 daily naps. At least she's not doing this at 3 in the morning -- I'm not a particularly happy pet owner when that happens.

Continue reading "That Darn Cat." »

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Continue reading "Don't Bust the Crust." »

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Continue reading "Meeting People." »

Posted by authorjodi at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, I hesitate to write about this because of my poor friends and family who are suffering from winter chills -- but I am absolutely sweltering here in the Lowe's parking lot. For example, I went for a short walkabout and when I returned, this is what Cali looked like. She didn't move when I came in. Normally that's no big deal, but all of a sudden I was worried she'd expired from the heat or maybe got shocked by some mysterious engine wire down there. Thankfully, she was just in the middle of deep REM and couldn't be bothered to acknowledge me.

Back to sweltering -- I had to give in and turn on the generator for a few precious minutes so that I could run the air conditioning. And while I'm on the subject, whoever it was that invented AC should get the Nobel Peace Prize IMHO. I ate my mac-n-cheese leftovers stone cold because the microwave is about as effective as me breathing on something when it's generator-powered, but I didn't mind as it helped cool me down a degree or two. Here I was thinking I needed to get the propane refilled soon so I wouldn't freeze to death!

Posted by authorjodi at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I finally saw the wild burros! As I was leaving Lake Pleasant I saw a number of cars pulled to the side of the road. Because of my vast, newly acquired, RVing experience...I now know this means WILD ANIMAL SIGHTING! ;) Of course they were so far away this is the best picture I could get with full zoom.

Now I'm sitting in a Lowe's parking lot a few miles up the road waiting for the hoped-for call from a radio station <my people will call your people>. Too bad I don't actually have people to wait for me -- then I could be sipping a Dr. Pepper and reading a book while someone else sweats it out. :p 

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My uncle told me there were wild burros in this park, and though I heard them hee-hawing last night, I wasn't able to lay my eyes on any. Maybe when I take a walk today.

I tell everyone that one of the reasons for this blog's existence is to share how hideous it is to be a self-promoter, so I probably ought to share some of the "hideous" instead of keeping it in and moping around. For some reason, after a week of positive steps forward, this morning my mood is in the dumpster.

Continue reading "Wild Burros." »

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Seriously, isn't the cactus a weird plant? It's not really a tree. It's not really a bush. I felt for the first time today that I was in new territory on this trip. I'm quite familiar with deserts and mountains and rivers and oceans -- but cacti are a new animal. I've seen them before, it just feels somehow alien to be driving through them or, as the picture shows, sitting next to them as I type away on my computer. ;)

I'm at a certain lake, of which you will find out the name tomorrow or the next day as per risk management guidelines. Tonight I'm doing what's called "semi-primitive" camping which means I have to pay $10 for the scenery, but that's about all I get. It's like the W/M with a nice view and less traffic noise. :p

Sheesh, sorry for the interruption, but yet another person just paused and gawked as they were driving by. Sometimes I think I must have forgotten to comb my hair or something worse...until I realize they're looking at Bertha's massive signage. Hopefully they wrote down the address and will go home and look me up!

This last picture is of the peaceful location I staked out for a half hour or so before it got too cold. I should clarify -- got too cold for the t-shirt and shorts I was wearing. It got hotter and hotter the farther I dropped from Prescott.

Posted by authorjodi at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

So I've decided I'm not posting a "teaser" entry again, regardless of whether I only have a minute to write, unless I'm certain I can get back and post in the evening. That didn't work out for me last night and I feel slightly guilty being the yes-but-no son of Matthew 21. ;)

Here's a picture for you to guess at? Any ideas? Yes my friends, this is dawn. It was so momentous for me to see it that I took a picture. ;)

Continue reading "Whoops." »

Posted by authorjodi at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just got back from a big day driving through some family history and have to run in the house and do a phone interview with Active Christian Media in a few minutes. But here's a tease as to why you should come back later: I'll be talking about shooting a computer, listening to myself on the radio for the first time, visiting a church my grandparents started and driving along the corkscrews of Mingus Mountain where my father used to do 75 with his younger brothers egging him on in the backseat. All that and more...later tonight. ;)

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Continue reading "Microdermabrasion and Nacho Libre" »

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Yes, after driving through a blinding snowstorm, I made my way to Prescott Valley unharmed. Well -- somewhat unharmed. My uncle woke me up this morning with the news that I'm leaking antifreeze all over his driveway. :(

However, he also related the news that I had a 9:30 appointment at the local Christian radio station with the program director who was a friend of his. We taped an interview that he's going to play sometime soon. He also made a couple networking calls for me, including a radio station down in Phoenix and a personal contact to a guy I've been trying to get in touch with. I'm beginning to believe that if I take one or two uncomfortable steps forward in the marketing arena, God will honor even those faulty moves with opportunities I could have no way of arranging.

Along those lines, I'm headed to a women's expo at a local church that the program director told me about. They're letting me have a booth on five hours notice, even though the theme is New Year's resolutions. I think I'll be sandwiched between exercise, makeup, spiritual wellness stuff. I'll let you know how it goes!

Posted by authorjodi at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

These are my steps this morning after trudging to the office to tell them I'd be staying another night. I think we got maybe 2-3 inches last night and it's been snowing off and on again all morning.

I was snug as a bug last night under my three blankets with the heater spinning on every time it got below 40 degrees. That seemed to be enough to keep the water from freezing, for which I am exceedingly grateful.

 So now I'll sit here one more day and see what the weather holds tomorrow. I'd like to spend some time in Sedona and Cottonwood over the next couple days before hitting Prescott to visit family over the weekend. My grandpa used to pastor a church in Cottonwood so I want to see if my childhood memories of the big white church and the big white house on the hill are accurate. ;)

Tomorrow morning I'll be interviewed for an episode of the Home Schooling Radio Show which is housed on the same system as my podcast. When I get a link I'll post it for any of you who want to listen to me stumble through my first interview. :p

Meanwhile, here's a picture from out my "office" window this morning. I have my trusty Bronco blanket on my lap and am either too cold or too hot based on whether the heater is on or not. I tell you what though, looking outside I am thanking God for a good heater!

I worked on my second book last night for the first time since November. It was pretty fun to get going again. Of course I found several things in desperate need of cleaning right before I started...but I finally got going and worked several hours.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was going to begin my entry about the Grand Canyon with a big apology to my parents for yet another wonderful thing they took me to as a child that I don't remember... However! I spoke with them last night and they told me I was really young when we went there. Apology averted! ;)

Though it's not directly related to the GC, I have to say that when I was walking out of the W/M on Saturday morning with a couple supplies I'd forgotten to get the night before, I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude and well-being. I mean, more than just being happy to be off on my journey and headed toward a weekend of beauty -- I was literally walking through the W/M parking lot with tears squirting out because of this wave of emotion. It lasted most of the 60-mile drive into the park and then I guess it sort of fizzled away. Have you ever been overcome like that?

Some of the weekend highlights included a couple hour walk along the South Rim, an 8 or 9 mile hike into the canyon, trying not to laugh at the mom trying desperately to interest her teens in the view and directionally-challenged-me giving directions to someone -- and actually knowing what to tell them. If you want to read more about the weekend and see some pictures, click on the picture above.

Posted by authorjodi at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, the couple places I was planning on going in the next few days are closed due to snow. So...I'm going to make a dash for Flagstaff where it's currently flurrying. I'll hunker down there for a couple days and wait it out. Good thing I've got heat and power -- I'll just stay in my pajamas and write to my heart's content. ;)

UPDATE: Made it to Flagstaff. It's snowing, but not with blizzard proportions. If anyone had watched me trying to level Bertha they would have had a good 30-minute laugh. As it is, after all my efforts I'm still tilted both forward and to the right. I need to buy more legos to level with, I guess. I have high hopes that my newly filled water tanks won't freeze tonight. What's that sound you hear? Yeah, that's me biting my nails. :p

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It's Friday night at the W/M and I'm in a row of RV's listening to the occasional punk kids swearing with gusto as they walk to and from their car. It's appreciably chillier than the last time I was out and about -- I've had to haul out a sweatshirt and flick the heater on.

I drove over Hoover Dam today. Before I got there I was composing a blog entry in my head about the modern marvel...but sadly I can't follow through on that entry as I didn't see enough to be marvelled. The traffic was pretty bad and it took all my concentration to get through without squashing the bikers sitting in front of me or the pedestrians racing across the street at every opportunity. I wasn't even able to concentrate on my Coffee Break Spanish!

Tomorrow I'll head into the Grand Canyon, wherein I'm prepared to be seriously amazed. Unless I can catch some miraculously random signal, I won't be posting until Monday.

Posted by authorjodi at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I woke up this morning with a wierd sense of anticipation. Yes, I technically left home last week, but as I was only coming to my brother and sister-in-law's in Vegas it didn't seem like I was really too far gone. In a couple hours I'll be back on the road with not many familiar faces for the next few months. I guess that accounts for the anticipation....as well as the nerves! :p

For me there's a real difference between knowing in my head that God will take care of me, guide me, etc., etc., and actually feeling it in my heart enough to move forward without trepidation. I know in my head He will do those things as I get behind Bertha's wheel today. I guess I'll just have to wait for my heart to get on board as I watch events play out every day. One thing I know for sure, it will be an interesting drive!

Posted by authorjodi at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

There's nothing like good company to make a long journey tolerable, even enjoyable. Such was the case during the 12-hour drive yesterday when grandma and I chatted so much that we were surprised every time we noticed 3 hours had passed. :) Much quicker trip than when I drove back to Boise recently by myself!

We arrived to news that Vegas has been quite cold, but it seemed lovely to me after Boise's recent deep chill. I wore a short sleeve sweater to church and wondered a little why they had the air conditioning on, while my sister-in-law was shivering in her sheepskin coat.

I have to say, it's nice to be back on the road...even if I've only made one hop to familiar territory and I'll be here a few days. I'm excited to see what new "divine interruptions" God will place in my path as I travel along these next few months.

Posted by authorjodi at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been busily running around getting things ready to head out tomorrow. It's still bitterly cold so I grabbed one of my mom's 70's era ski caps to go with my several layers and worked outside about an hour before stopping to laugh out loud when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror -- the cap rode up so much that it stood almost a foot on top of my head. It's a good thing I don't have paparazzi stalkers or more people would see my ridiculous self than just the neighbors. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It's been so cold here that these icicles didn't melt for a couple days, even under direct sunlight. Of course, I'm heading to Las Vegas where I hear it's been below freezing, then to Arizona where I hear it's 8 degrees. So much for sticking to the south to avoid winter driving!

Looks like the date is set -- Saturday morning I'll be loading up Bertha, Cali and my grandma, who will be a guest on the way to Vegas before she ditches me the cold weather for the warmth of Needles. ;)

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I've done a lot of soul-searching and praying this past month, analyzing what happened in my first mini-tour and looking toward whether I should head out as planned for the East Coast. I feel like there were a lot of positive things that happened and I learned a lot about what I should be trying to do in the next six months...but I also didn't make much money and Bertha has to have gas. ;)

Towhit, I've felt led to put my car up for sale again. I believe that's what God has led me to do at this time, if and when it sells I'll gas up Bertha and head out again. If you know someone who's looking for a good car, check out the details here.

Posted by authorjodi at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I know, I know, I just posted about winter. Cali is not as big a fan as I -- I let her out to tiptoe around in the snow and she immediately shook the offending stuff off her legs and went under Bertha to hide. Here's a picture of the current sitch:

Posted by authorjodi at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

After two months in warmer climes, I'm excited to see the snow that has started falling. I just returned from having Bertha winterized so I have no fear of bursting pipes any longer. However, I did wonder if it was good for the scooter to sit out in the snow...so I brought it into the garage. My fingers are still numb and you have no idea how many typos I've had to correct from stiffly hitting the wrong keys! :)

Now I'm inside the toasty warm home of my parents where I'll stay for the month of December before striking out again. They just called from Senegal where they're boiling in the heat -- we were wishing we could trade a little environment through the phone.

Posted by authorjodi at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After almost 12 hours on the road yesterday, I rolled into Boise about midnight, local time. I have to say, it was one of the more eventful drives I've had. For instance, at one point I thought Bertha was on fire...but it turned out to be steam exiting the heating vent. I had the cabin heater on most of the drive because of my concern about the water pipes and/or my cat freezing solid as I crested 7,000 feet.

When I was getting close enough to smell potatoes I made the dreadful mistake of following the first sign to Boise and ended up on the "scenic" route through scenic Buhl, scenic Hagerman and scenic Bliss. It's quite possible those towns are, indeed, scenic -- but I was unfortunately unable to appreciate their scenic-ness due, in part, to my 10th hour of driving and being somewhat hacked at my mistake. I also nearly made my stay a little longer by almost missing a big curve and running into a ditch because I was looking at the map to see just how dreadful my navigational mistake had been. Bertha really corners! (joking)

Scenic Bliss, population 275, was my gateway to the 84. I tell you what, there is nothing quite like going 75 on a straight road after you've spent the day slowing to 25 for one podunk town after another. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The first leg of the book tour will be coming to a close when I head out for Boise in the morning. I've learned quite a few things and have some ideas for how to make the second leg a little more productive sales-wise -- but overall I'd say it was a good experiment. Hopefully I'll make it all the way home without another snowstorm coming in. Just in case I'll have the propane tank refilled somewhere tomorrow -- then I can camp on the side of the road anywhere without turning into a popsicle stick! :p

Posted by authorjodi at 06:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of my professors at Multnomah wrote a book called Decision Making and the Will of God. It was like 400-something pages and I think I read the first couple -- I've always wondered if I would have an easier time making decisions if I'd finished it. ;)

I don't know what was so tough about this one, but I finally decided last night that I'll be driving Bertha home to Boise for the month of December. I've got some work I need to do there, then I'll have a couple weeks of Christmas vakay. Right now I'm still in Las Vegas, waiting for the snowstorms to pass so I can drive home in a clear window.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Blood on the Highway." »

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I had to mail some books, so yesterday I trotted off to the local UPS store. Much to my dismay, they wanted over $42 for seven packages going first class regular mail. I thanked them kindly and walked out. What I wanted to say was "Are you joking me? How do you even get away with that kind of highway robbery?"

Continue reading "Roundabout Rage." »

Posted by authorjodi at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So another cold shower this morning, but this time because the propane tank which has been showing "E" for three weeks finally kicked the bucket. I didn't fully believe the "E" because the nice man who did Bertha's walk-thru said it will show 3/4 full when it's all the way full -- and I see that I am right in that it went three weeks on "E." But being right is cold comfort, no pun intended, when you have to take a cold shower because there's not a propane refilling station handy. ;)

Thankfully the wind has died down so I won't have a white-knuckled drive into Vegas. I've got about 160 miles to go from the Oasis of the Desert -- although now that I'm leaving I supposed I can tell you it's real name -- Twin Lakes RV Park. I wouldn't say it's a destination vacation spot, but if you're passing thru and need a stopping point for the night... :p

Posted by authorjodi at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I don't know how I got to the ripe old age of 32 without knowing pistachios grew on trees, but the mystery was shattered today.

Continue reading "Pistachio trees." »

Posted by authorjodi at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are so many flies in this burgh. I open my door for 10 seconds and I get four new residents. And the worst part is, I lent my flyswatter to my mother and forgot to get it back before I left. I guess I'll have to part with another .99 next time I'm near a store. ;)

It's a little more in-my-face than the plague of ants I've been fighting since leaving Moorpark. I guess I picked up a few thousand new residents while parked in the driveway of ant central. I kill a couple several times a day. I even took the step of leaving out a tempting, sugary confection on the kitchen counter to see if I could draw them out of hiding. The killing was impressive that day. However, I think the population is diminishing because I don't see as many around anymore. I say good riddance.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Who can finish the song?

...of the family of God. :)

Boy did I ever have a great day today.

Continue reading "I'm so glad I'm a part..." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm engaging in a ritual I used to love back at home -- one that I haven't practiced since I left on this journey. A full day in my pajamas, puttering around the house. :) Granted, I can't putter very far in Bertha, and mostly I'm puttering on my computer...striking things off my ever-expanding to do list. But in my opinion, even if you "work" most of the day, there's something exceedingly indulgent about never getting dressed.

Continue reading "Housebound." »

Posted by authorjodi at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I drove a ways from Lancaster today and was surrounded by desert in every direction. I didn't even bother to take a picture for you as I'm sure you've all seen desert and sagebrush. :)

The wind was so bad last night in the parking lot that I literally got rocked to sleep. It wasn't too bad when I was sleeping, but when I drove out today I was getting pushed all over the road. I kept thinking of the hundreds of pounds of books over the wheels and hoping they were enough weight to keep me from flipping over!

Posted by authorjodi at 01:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just printed out the opening 20 pages of Book 2 for my first editorial swipe. It seems really odd to be starting this process over again... Odd as in, what in the world are you thinking?! :p

Continue reading "Book 2." »

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Continue reading "No More Bakeries." »

Posted by authorjodi at 07:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Back at the Bakery." »

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Finally found a free wi-fi spot in a bakery of all places. Nothing like being without internet when you're borderline addicted. I just drove out of Cachuma Lake where I've been camped the past week. I'd have to rate it a "good" for it's facilities and great people, but not "great" because it was pretty much scrub desert and the lake was, as I've previously mentioned, untouchable. The grocery store was between good and great also -- they provided necessities you may have forgotten, but you had to pay through the nose to get them. For instance, string cheese was $25 (slight exaggeration).

Continue reading "Back online...sort of." »

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Continue reading "Time for an oil change." »

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New pics from the last couple days.

Continue reading "Nature is Scary." »

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This morning I awoke to the pitter-patter of little feet. One of the 742 kazillion squirrels in the park had managed to find his way to Bertha's roof and was racing from one end to the other. Cali was beside herself trying to find and destroy but she didn't have much luck.

Continue reading "Squirrels, Clean Water, X-Men and the Radio." »

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Continue reading "This is more like it." »

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Posted by authorjodi at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

...only this time it's not 8 RV's at the W/M. I think I might have to use my ear plugs for the first time this trip -- there's a wild party going on next door. The kind where you can't hear any part of the music except the BUM BUM THUMP THUMP. Haven't posted a pic in awhile so here, for your viewing pleasure, is the exceedingly tall Jesus mural at Biola campus (pictured with a thoughtful co-ed walking by for scale):

Posted by authorjodi at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "GBC #5" »

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Posted by authorjodi at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, the truth is I really have nothing to say that I can write in 30 seconds -- I just wanted to post from the middle of a session... ;)

I just had a great lunch with some folks who gave me a lot of good ideas and referrals for marketing MPA. Just had lunch and now we're having a panel about bridging the political divide. More later.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "GBC #2: Wow." »

Posted by authorjodi at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

One and a half harrowing hours later, I make it from the Enterprise lot in Simi Valley to the Biola campus. Here I sit, chocolate chai frappe in hand (recommended by the student barrista), enjoying the shaded outdoors and listening to the small waterfall flowing behind me. I'm so glad I rented the little postage stamp car -- Bertha would have been a nightmare. I can't believe how many cars were on the road in the middle of the day.

Continue reading "GBC #1" »

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Continue reading "How God Works." »

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I visited four bookstores today. The first and best visit was at an independant in Camarillo. I chatted for probably 10 minutes with (I think) the owner, discussing the themes of the book and publishing in general. He was very friendly, but made several remarks about how impossible it is to get anywhere as an unknown without a major label behind you. He took a flyer and I had a pretty good feeling he might order one to check it out. He suggested I add distributor names to my flyer which I thought was nice of him.

The second was one of the Family Christian Bookstore chain. Now I know they don't carry it, and won't even add it to their registry so people can special order...however, our Boise store said he would order some on the side or somesuch industry term. I thought maybe I'd drop a book at every Family Christian I came across and try to get several ordering on the side. Sadly, they informed me corporate has recently brought down the hammer and they can't even do that anymore.

The third answered the phone in Spanish but I thought, what the heck, I'll try anyway. It was called Debbie's and I think Debbie herself was sitting outside when I arrived. Everything in sight was in espanol and when I asked if they carried any English titles she pawed thru a stack and found one novel. She then spent several minutes trying to explain to me how to get to an English-speaking bookstore across town and followed me out the door saying God bless you and Jesus loves you. What a sweet woman!

And the last...well, I'd just missed the manager and their Canoga Park store does the actual ordering...so I gave them a flyer with fairly few hopes. Driving Bertha around the busy freeways has not been the most fun thing but I'm trying to remind myself that I'll be in the boonies again soon enough. ;)

Cali has parked herself right beside where I'm typing and her tail is swinging back and forth over the keyboard, tipping the antenna for my pc card back and forth...I guess that's as good a place as any to stop!

Posted by authorjodi at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Well this was a first. Earlier this evening I left Bertha while I was talking on the phone and roared off in a borrowed car for an appointment. When I returned just now I found the door locked. I'm thinking...I don't remember locking the door, but I guess I was on the phone so maybe I did it without thinking. Except that I don't have the keys anywhere. I double-check the car. I go inside the house. No luck. Finally I think, it's late, it's dark, I'll just try to break in.

I won't tell you how, but it was quite comical and I was glad to be surrounded by darkness and trees and, just in case you're worried, this method of break-in-age would not be available were I anywhere but the completely safe driveway where I am currently parked. ;) 

Once I got in I found the keys on the counter. I have no idea what happened -- maybe the lock slipped when I slammed the door shut...

Posted by authorjodi at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I was just messing around with the template again, trying to figure out how to add more goodies to the blog, when I ran across overall site statistics. I've been watching stats on the main page -- as you can see I added a counter to the right -- and thought I was doing pretty good with 700+ hits, fully assuming that my parents account for half of those... :p

Anyway, overall site statistics say that I've had 3,477 hits in the last 30 days. I'll have one month under my belt come the 25th...so...my November goal is to break 10,000. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to hit refresh six times every time you check... ;) That will be growth from all the zillions of business cards I pass out and the fancy-schmancy new flyers I made for bookstores. I plan to hit at least six or eight this next week.

By the way, I'm well aware that 3,477 hits is measly in the extreme compared to the big leagues, but I have to grab encouragement wherever I can get it when it comes to marketing. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 10:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I went to visit my old workplace today -- had lunch with folks from my last department and then wandered the building for a couple hours having conversations with former coworkers and etc. I have to say, as far as motivation goes...it was a very inspirational visit.

You see, I am a chicken. More times than not, my perfect vision of my future would include living somewhere like that dreamhouse on the Oregon Coast I found, madly whacking away on the keyboard creating my latest novel, accepting UPS packages every week with new books to read or videos to watch. I could conceivably live without human contact for weeks at a time, although I'd probably come out for church or lunch with friends every so often. That's not to say I wouldn't communicate, but to me, e-mail or reading a comment made to my blog is almost like actually having a conversation with someone.

This is the root personality problem that conflicts every day with this new life I've embarked on as self-promoter. I joke about breaking into a cold sweat when I go into a bookstore, but the first time I had to read my book aloud in front of a group I started crying. And that was just in front of my family because I was practicing so I wouldn't be as nervous at the book launch the next day. I can't think of a person less qualified to promote their own work.

But I was powerfully incentivized today to continue working against my grain. What awaits me on the other side of this year is, quite possibly, another desk job in cube world. If that's what God has for me I'm (almost) perfectly willing to walk back into that world, but if I do...I want to know in my heart that I gave it everything I had to give.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

As I said, I arrived in time to join my former roommates on a birthday jaunt to Disneyland. It was really fun, tho I did have to take some ibuprofen when I got home. :p I have to say, I still enjoy Magic Mountain more since I'm a rollercoaster junky, but it was fun to go with them and see what the boys (six and three) thought of it.

The much-hyped revision to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was sort of a let-down. If I hadn't known it'd been closed for so many years my expectations might not have been so high. It looked exactly the same to me except for the Johnny Depp character sprinkled throughout. I'd like to point out that I always loved that ride -- so exactly the same was just fine -- but I fell victim to the hype and expected something different.

The most hysterical portion of the day was when two of us decided to ride Indiana Jones one last time before the park closed while the others went on the jungle cruise. We got about 30 seconds into the ride when the whole thing ground to a halt. The lights came on and a muffled loudspeaker said something about an operational difficulty and appreciating our cooperation. About 10 minutes later we started again without sound and with the spotlights still on, but only went forward another 15 seconds or so before we were stuck for good. That last spurt moved us into the larger room so we could see four other cars stopped in various positions -- one was stuck on the rickety bridge. It was really interesting to see the inside that is usually dark and scary.

The girls in front of us were taking it very well, laughing and cracking jokes. The Russians beside me were super unhappy and I eavesdropped for awhile on the woman and child behind me. The woman made a crack about how this was her karma to get stuck like this while they had people waiting outside. The little girl asked what karma was and the woman gave her a big explanation of the energy of previous lives and the choices we make and all that. For some reason they had to let all the other cars out first so we saw quite a few characters walking back and forth and joked with the different people hiking out. Finally they brought a ladder to us (at which point we did the wave as we'd been practicing) and we got out and made our own hike. Quite a different experience than blasting thru while bouncing around in the dark. I found out later that the Russians had missed their bus because of how long we'd been delayed so that explained why they were not as jolly as the rest of us... Russian to Customer Service Agent: "We're very unhappy in this happiest place on earth."

Here's another page of photos for your enjoyment.

Posted by authorjodi at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Lots of people I run into ask me whether I've seen the movie RV. Yes, my best friend made me go see it right before I went and picked Bertha up, then I rented it again to show my parents. Aside from the small dumping fiasco a week or two ago, I haven't had anything noteworthy to report in that vein. However, Tuesday night when I arrived in Moorpark I almost wished for a film crew.

The problem, as I see it, is Bertha's enormous length. Added to her length is a couple feet of a sort of arrangement that holds the scooter and plugs into the hitch. Driving up into their driveway I scraped for just a second, but went on not thinking too much about it. The next step was to drive up a rather steep hill to get into the riding arena, where I planned on parking for the week. Sadly, neither I nor the gal standing outside directing me heard the screeching and scraping until it was too late. At that point I was stuck, stuck and more stuck.

We tried standing on the front bumper. We tried putting boards behind the tires -- still they would spin uselessly. The gal had a jack in her truck that we thought we'd try (As an aside, what I thought was a jack in one of my compartments turned out to be reflector lights. Good to know.). So we tried the jack and, no matter how hard we worked at it, couldn't make the stupid circle thing turn more than one rotation. At this point one of the roommates came home and, tho I hate to add to the notion of the weaker sex, he was able to make the jack turn and move the rear up a little. Unfortunately it was not a big enough jack for Bertha's considerable heft, so it started to tweak.

The roommate, we'll call him MacGyver, then proceeded to try everything we'd already tried. No luck. Finally we sent the gal to her house to pick up her nephew's floor jack. I was prepared to make my inaugural Good Sam call if this didn't work. Luckily I was not made the butt of another joke around the Good Sam repair office because MacGyver was able to make the jack work, lift the end enough to take off the hitch contraption, and then muscle Bertha into reverse. Success!

Suffice it to say, I'm parked in the level part of the driveway and quite content there.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I thought I'd better blog tonight even tho it's late so that no one thinks I experienced one of those untimely Los Angeles catastrophes -- like when the paparazzo mistake you for Linsday Lohan and rearend your car looking for a reaction shot...

Actually, I'm alive and well, parked in my former roommates' driveway. I was supposed to be in the riding arena but I experienced, at last, a true RV story. I'm too tired to do it justice tonight, but I will attempt to relate it in all its glory tomorrow. I got into town just in time to join my roommates in their trip to the happiest place on earth today. I've got a few words to say about that as well, but they'll have to wait til tomorrow. I was going to at least let you see the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger picture I e-mailed myself from Space Command...but sadly I'm having a spot of difficulty with the server. So...tune in tomorrow.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I’ve been debating whether to blog about something. You all know this is a commercial endeavor – I’m on this trip to try to sell just enough books that I can continue writing without having to take another cube-world job, but not so many that I have to deal with seeing hideous pictures of myself in the National Enquirer. ;)

But another, just as significant aspect, is that I’ve purposely put myself in this artificial environment where I have to rely on God to provide my daily bread more than I ever really have. I say artificial because I do, in fact, have a house at home that is being rented, and I will, in fact, not be risking living on the street if this fails. However, it is true that I set off on a trip across the nation with no steady source of income to pay for my health insurance, let alone feed this gas-guzzling behemoth or buy the occasional package of Top Ramen (which I had for dinner tonight by the way).

I blogged before I left about trying to sell my car and how that was really hard for me – the last shred of independence and etc. Well as it turns out, my car didn’t sell. I was planning on using that money as backup but it never materialized. Now the picture becomes clear to you – in my experiment of faith I said “I will trust You Lord, but just in case I’ll have some money in the bank.”

So last week I was praying for my daily bread and kind of…well…let’s be honest here – bellyaching to God about how He’d better arrange it so I’d sell some books soon or I’d be out of money shortly. And now we come to the point I’ve been debating about sharing – I received two out-of-the-blue monetary gifts within a span of a couple days. I tell you this, not to solicit donations because that is FAR from my objective, but because I’m sharing this journey with you and I want to tell you how God just blew my socks off with His abundant grace. Exceeding, abundant, more than you can ask or imagine...

My favorite definition of grace is undeserved favor. That’s what it feels like.

Posted by authorjodi at 06:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

That's not a typo, but the name of the church I attended this morning. I think it was the name of the band -- so many people were coming to Christ at their concerts that they formed a church. It was wonderful, again, to be among brothers and sisters who speak the truth but speak it in a different way than I'm used to. For instance, audience participation was much higher than in my tradition "come on pastor!" ;)

I (sort of) attended the Greg Laurie Harvest Crusade last night. My aunt and uncle had volunteered to be greeters so we got there about 4:30 and I wandered around until it started at 7. In the end there were about 2,000 people turned away by the HP Pavilion staff because they were at fire code max, and as the music was so loud you felt your chest reverberating within you....we left early and went to dinner. :p

I had several great chats with vendors -- one in particular that I'm going to do a little research on by going to their store today and then I'll tell you about them. Was able to pass out several of my hot-off-the-press business cards...

Last thing for now and then I've got to run. My aunt introduced me to the pastor at Cryy Out -- she'd previously told him I was coming and gave him one of my books. He was so welcoming, said if he'd known sooner he would have had me give a talk "you do talk right?" Uhhh...I'm working on one <insert fear and trembling>. Then he asked if he could pray for me and my journey and he just prayed right there at the back of the church.

Posted by authorjodi at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I believe I said something about a desire to avoid the big cities of America on this tour. Driving white-knuckled through San Francisco freeway madness at 11 in the morning made me remember one of the reasons why. Granted, I have a whole set of reasons I want to visit small town America, but avoiding maniac drivers veering in and out of five lanes of traffic ranks somewhere on that list. I thought briefly of pulling out my lifesize George Bush cardboard cutout and sitting him down in the passenger seat -- but I couldn't see much benefit to the carpool lane. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Another day, another parking lot. ;) It’s actually quite a party here tonight – eight RVs by 7:30. That’s a record as far as my experience goes. Too bad we can’t have a block party and make smores around a barrel of fire or something. I was going to take a picture, but you know RVs, I couldn’t fit everyone in.

I treated myself to dinner at Chili’s tonight and had the always exquisite chicken tacos while reading C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra. I finished Out of the Silent Planet a couple nights ago and have been meaning to tell you about it. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but it happened again tonight – I got a little teary. I was so – I don’t know – moved I guess by the way he was able to create this entire other world that spoke so clearly of deep truths while, at the same time, just writing a jolly good story. It was quite similar to the experience I had watching Chronicles of Narnia. I always enjoyed the books, but there were several times during the movie where my spirit just soared within me at some of the truths so powerfully on display. You probably think I’m nuts. I’m quite sure my waitress did.

Anyway, the party is ON in this W/M parking lot. I hope I’m able to get a good night’s sleep. Last night’s W/M was so loud that I woke up fairly frequently. Tomorrow I run the gauntlet to San Jose.

Posted by authorjodi at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been sitting in the Rohnert Park Library for the past several hours, greedily sucking up electricity as I busily mess with the blog. Like the new header? Sadly, it took me several hours to make even that work. I have plans for a counter and links to the main site and all that...but the coding of this "simple" interface is beyond me. :p

By the way, I forgot one of my favorite pictures in last night's batch. I call him the Elvis bird because of his bouffant and fine blue costume. Does anyone know the real name?

Posted by authorjodi at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe I'm getting the hang of this. I drove for about an hour with the generator running and then pulled off at a random Home Depot to work for awhile. I figure they'll think I'm sitting back here in the corner stewing while my husband is inside spending all our hard earned dough on spigots and ratchets. ;)

Not sure where I'm heading today. I think I'm going to call my Driving Assistance Device (D.A.D.) because I'm trying to get to San Jose and all I see on the map is zillions of cars, big interstates and confusion.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, so that wasn't really the name of the place I stayed last night...but it should have been. Up to this point I've been in the Oregon state park system, which as you know I gave high marks. However. I am now in another state altogether -- one whose park system feels that little conveniences like electricity are entirely unnecessary in their parks that cost almost twice as much. So last night I stayed in my first RV park for $1.40 more than the state park would have cost (thank you Good Sam discount). For that extra $1.40 I got electricity, water, sewer....and cable. Ahhhhhhhh.

When I first signed in and chatted with the woman who runs the place with her husband I was able to say, oh no, I don't need that. Sadly, I lasted approximately as long as it took to hook up the electric, look at the stack of papers I needed to sort and walk back to the front desk to borrow a cable. I said to myself, self, we'll just have the tv on while we do a couple hours of cleaning and sorting and then we'll turn it off and write some more because we had such a productive and exciting writing period last night. Sadly, the tv was not only on during the cleaning hour, but another hour or two additionally and completely blew the writing mood out of the water.

I drove on the Avenue of the Giants today. Absolutely beautiful. Once again I wished for a chauffeur and a convertible because the overhead bed sure gets in the way when you're trying to see to the top of a couple hundred foot redwood. It was quite good for me because I'd been bemoaning in my head leaving my favorite ocean and trying to remind myself that I was looking for all manner of God's beauty on this trip. I think He did a pretty nice job thinking up those redwoods. Wow.

I also got sick enough of the paltry food I've been carrying around in Bertha that I stopped in a small town and had a burger at DJ's Burger Barn. It was quite tasty and accompanied by a long discussion with an older couple who comes in there nearly every day because it's cheaper and easier than cooking for two (so they said). On the way back to the freeway I stopped at a Baptist church I'd seen on the way in to give them a copy of the book. Lo and behold they were doing Olan Mills directory pictures. What a seriously small world! The gal registering people said she would give it to the secretary and did I know the pastor's wife owned a small Christian bookstore the next town over... No, I didn't know. Sadly, it was a town I'd already passed, but hopefully she'll like it and order a couple in.

Here's some pictures from the last couple days.

Posted by authorjodi at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Pastor’s Wife & Park Ranger.

I told the pastor’s wife I was hoping to meet someone who could take me around the college nearby because I wanted to ask some students for a definition of tolerance and whether or not they believed in absolute truth. She said something to the effect of tolerance – we have to be tolerant of everyone but evangelical Christians. She went on to tell me that she’d been at a community college in Portland in the last couple years. One time she was sitting in art class working on a project and discussing with another student an English assignment. She didn’t agree with her English professor that she shouldn’t capitalize God in her paper. The teacher’s assistant told them to take the conversation about whether to capitalize God outside because it was offensive to her. The pastor’s wife said if they had been talking about who they slept with over the weekend it would have been just fine.

I was sitting in my front chair reading and drinking coffee when the ranger stopped by this morning with my change. He couldn’t have been friendlier – was telling me which roads I should take when I get into California so I don’t miss the Redwoods, etc. He said he’d already been back to the ranger station that morning and looked up my website because he wondered what I was doing. I just said something about traveling to promote my book, didn’t say anything about the topic of the book or anything. I can’t quote word for word, but basically he said “I just skimmed the site but saw you had something in there about religion. That’s something because here we’re all killing each other over religion. I was raised with religion so I know all about it; I just don’t practice my religion. When I was drafted in the army as a medic they told us there were two things you never discussed in the hospital – politics and religion. It’s too bad everyone has to make everyone else believe their way is the right way.”

Posted by authorjodi at 04:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I was wondering how those people got down onto that beautiful beach when I came careening around a corner and saw a few RV’s through the trees. Since I was looking for Humbug Mountain State Park right around that area, I had my fingers crossed. Sure enough, the brown sign appeared and I slammed on the brakes and made the corner. What a beautiful spot. And quite apropos, I told God, because I was feeling pretty humbug about my Wal-Mart plans being spoiled again by another city ordinance. Only problem…no service.

Night before last I spent in a Wal-Mart in Coos Bay/North Bend. I couldn’t ever figure out where the towns divided because the Wal-Mart was listed as Coos Bay but the church I went to one block away was North Bend, but another block was Coos Bay again. Anyhow, what a lovely experience it is to meet brothers and sisters in other areas. To see God’s hand moving in people you’ve never met and probably will never meet again. I was welcomed and invited to lunch in the fellowship hall after the service by the couple sitting a row behind me – a couple who just happened to have spent two different long trips trekking across the US in an RV. We had some great conversation. I also had a chat with the pastor about Ted Dekker’s work. He wanted me to sign the book for the library so he could say he had an early Jodi Cowles.

Off now to find the next place to lay my head. One of these days I’ll have to take my courage in hand and find a laundromat. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I’m sitting in a casino parking lot, waiting to see if I’ll ever get a signal. My phone shows 5 bars, but they must have some special pc card jamming technology going on in the casino because I’ve got nothing doing for the internet.

Whoops! I spoke to soon. All you’ve got to do is start badmouthing technology in front of others and it starts to work. I’m sure you’ve all experienced the “my computer isn’t working” scenario that goes away once your tech support guy shows up.

So I was talking about the casino parking lot. I figured it was as good a place to park for a couple hours as any. I can look out on some water and run out my battery before heading to my sleeping quarters. It’s rather alarming how many cars and RVs are parked at this casino. It’s the nicest building I’ve seen in town – granted, I haven’t driven through all of it so maybe there’s a beer factory that’s nicer… ;)

Those of you who keep referencing the movie RV will enjoy my next story. I pulled up to the dump station this morning and did my business, but kept looking around for the hose you’re supposed to use to spray down the area. Finally figured out that this tall pipe sticking straight up in the air was the hose. You grabbed it halfway up and bent it down, then it had about a foot of old, decrepit hose you were supposed to aim to squirt the pertinent area.

I don’t think it was designed for one person with less than a 10 foot wingspan. I had the hose held into my dumping hose with one finger while stretched to the max to turn the spigot. Sadly, the pressure came on immediately and overwhelmingly and water squirted everywhere. I’m 99% sure I only got splashed with non-potable water and not something more sinister, but I changed my shirt and washed my hands with vigor nonetheless.

On a different note, I was followed over a big bridge today by someone with a 1A license plate. If you know a woman in a reddish Hyundai Sonata who is Oregon coasting it this week, you might try a little experiment. Ask her if she remembers following a big, hulking RV with a huge American flag covering it. If she doesn’t remember we have proof positive that you aren’t paying the closest attention when you’re talking on your cell phone. :p

Posted by authorjodi at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Now that I am no longer a resident, I can tell you that this is one whale of a good park. It's $17 for an electric/water hook-up and I can see a smidge of the beach through my window. I'm parked right next to the beach access trail, so literally I can be on the sand in about 20 steps. Miles and miles of beach to wander. If you're looking for a place to camp on the coast I highly recommend! I'm actually quite impressed with the Oregon State Park system in general. I know this is only the second one I've stayed at so maybe I'm overcommitting prematurely, but the two I've been in have been fabulous. :p

The beach pics yesterday were from this beach. The ones from a couple days ago were from a day park beach that, I think, was called Gleneden beach, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Anyway, it was a few miles north of Newport while this is a few miles south.

Cali was on a tear this morning. The campsite across the road has a cat prancing around on a leash tied to a chair. Cali was beside herself, meowing and changing position for better viewing every minute or so. The other cat was meowing too, so I think they finally took it back inside. At least Cali has calmed herself and is currently looking down on me quite regally from her perch on the overhead bed.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, as promised, here are some more beach (and misc.) pictures.

Hope you are all warm and snug on this Friday night. I've had some mac-n-cheese and am getting ready to sit down and work on the new book for a couple hours. It's a pleasant way to pass the evening once I get started. It occurs to me that this is my second Friday on this journey and I'm feeling the same small sense of loneliness. I haven't really been lonely the whole trip -- just enjoyed what I was seeing and doing -- except for last Friday and tonight a little bit. Maybe it has something to do with knowing my friends and family are wrapping up the work week and gathering for fun and fellowship. It's a social night and I'm not even being social with my cat b/c she's more interested in sitting in the front window, watching the world go by.

That turned out grimmer than I intended. Sorry. I was thinking as I walked on the beach today that I should probably be one of the least complaining people in the world right about now. What an awesome opportunity I've been given. I don't take that lightly -- even if I do wish I could teleport to Boise for the night. ;)

Posted by authorjodi at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

The new whereisjodi.com site is now active. Feel free to take a peek and mock and/or give me constructive suggestions. :p

My plastic blue cup has been catching drip-drops all morning from the air conditioning vent -- is that a bad thing? But I'm leaving Bertha now with nary a care as I go for a walk in the sog. I've been at this computer for six hours now and I'm done. I'll post some more pretty beach pics tonight.

Posted by authorjodi at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm sitting in a parking lot that overlooks the marina in Newport. All night long I heard what I could swear were barking seals, but I don't know if that's really true or not. There's a beautiful "historic" bridge to go under and you're out to sea.

I had the generator on to charge up the computer so I thought I'd take advantage of the microwave and have some coffee and oatmeal this morning. It only took 15 minutes to get the water lukewarm. Hmm. I think I'll have to turn on the stove one of these days. It'd probably be more efficient.

Posted by authorjodi at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe it's just me, but I think some city officials take themselves too seriously. I base this on the fact that I was planning to park in another Wal-Mart parking lot and was faced with no overnight parking signs b/c of a city ordinance. It was dark, getting cold and misty, and I was not a happy camper (no pun intended). So...I had to pay 15 bucks to park in a parking lot basically, over at another RV place. National Park beauty this is not!

Anyway, enough complaining. I have made three photo essays for you to enjoy today. One, an interesting and disgusting ritual I accidentally witnessed. Two, politics in Portland. And three, just some pretty pictures of the beach.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I made it to the coast. This picture is taken from the inside of Bertha looking out on what awaits me after I work until my computer battery runs out. For once in my entire life, I'm hoping the battery goes quickly!

To me, there's nothing like the Oregon Coast. It's a million shades of grey -- even when it's mostly sunny there's usually clouds around. A majority of the times I've been here it's been cold enough for a sweatshirt. All that to say, it's not exactly prime sun-tanning real estate like the Cali coast. But I love it. I love that it's less crowded and you can walk along in peace. I love that you aren't confronted by one blonde bombshell after another jogging by so that you have to spend the next couple moments wondering where she gets the strength since she's obviously anorexic... :p

It's just beauty. The crashing waves always bring me to an unconscious reflexive action of singing "How Great Thou Art" in my head for some reason. I'm reminded of that verse, I think in the Psalms, that speaks about how God made the boundaries of the ocean and told it where it could not cross.

Posted by authorjodi at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been staying with Adam & Sheryl Cowling the last several days. Sheryl has been a friend of mine since we were little twerps together at Multnomah. The Cowlings live in Vancouver "The Couve" Washington. They get offended when I say they live in Portland...

I'm naming them and showing you a picture of their house because they wondered if they'd be famous if they appeared in my blog. I told them I highly doubted it, but we'd try. So...to repay them (in slight) for the wonderful hospitality, I'm featuring them in this blog and announcing that they have a lovely Ford Explorer that they're looking to sell (parked in front of the house). If you're looking for something along those lines, feel free to contact me. ;)

Adam and Sheryl Cowling also agreed to have villains named after them in the new book. Adam Cowling will be the head of a national insurance conglomerate and Sheryl, his social-climbing, deceitful wife. Yes, this is what I do to good friends! :p

Posted by authorjodi at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow do I feel out of touch. Three days with a dead cell phone and no real internet connection. I can't believe how much I depend on communicating that way. Now I'm parked outside my aunt's house on a very busy street in Portland, waiting for a friend to come pick me up for lunch. I've just come from wandering around Multnomah, but I'll tell you about that later tonight. Just wanted to post a quick note to revel in the fact that I can post again. :p

I'll post the first pic from the camera I bought yesterday -- it's a terrible picture of Multnomah taken as I went whizzing by after my walking tour.

Posted by authorjodi at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 08:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A lot happened today. I’m not sure what to write without boring 99.9% of you. Ok, maybe 100%. I woke up in the Wal-Mart parking lot alive and Bertha was unscathed. I’d call that a successful first attempt. I drove to a very cute little town that reminded me of McCall called Sisters and spent almost four hours in a coffee shop that was playing a Christian radio station and had a huge “Jesus died to pay for your sins” sticker plastered to their fridge, but oddly enough, it didn’t seem to be harming business! I had a really profitable discussion with the publisher that gave me a lot of things to think about. And I drove awhile through some just absolutely stunning scenery that made me highly ticked I wasn’t famous enough to have a driver so I could just sit and stare. ;)

I’ve ended up at a place I won’t identify by name as I’ve already been accused of infringing upon my Risk Management plan, but let’s just say it’s marvelously pretty. I went for a long walk along a body of water (either a lake or a river, but you’ll never know…until tomorrow). Now I’m sitting in a chair placed precisely so I can see through a stand of trees to the … body of water. Cali is chained to the chair leg by her leash and crawls in a different direction every few minutes testing the length.

For any of you who want to pray, there are two big opportunities looming. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I’ve had two very cool networking things happen. One, a person with influence is going to contact a national radio host to see about interviewing me as my book is right up their alley (and don’t get your hopes up – it’s not Rush Limbaugh!) Second, I have an entry point to send the mother-in-law of an author most of you have heard of a copy of my book.

I have such a hard time praying -- or asking people to pray -- that I’ll sell a kazillion books. One, because I can’t imagine the horror of my life if it was in the spotlight and two because, well, who can ask for prayer for that! But I could ask you to pray like I do, that God will use the book, and me, and this trip however best suits His kingdom.

The sun has gone down and Cali has managed to roll herself completely in dirt and pine needles…so I guess it’s time to sign off.

Posted by authorjodi at 08:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm sitting here, waiting for my publisher. How authorial does that sound? ha ha. I don't think it sounds like me at all! What does sound like me is that I slept in the Wal-Mart parking lot and was awakened first at 4am by the train steaming by on the other side of the parking lot, then again at 8:15 by the JW's who wanted to give me a Watchtower and talk about how religion is bad. Other than that it was pretty cool. I was under two different towers of lights that were so bright I could read through my window without a light. There was a security guard walking the parking lot and, apparently by arriving at 5p, I was early to the party. By 11 there were several RV's and 5 semis. It was a party!

I had quite a bit of fun last night -- worked on my new book for about 3 hrs. I only stopped because my computer battery kept dying and I didn't want to run the generator all night. Doh! Publisher just arrived, all for now...

Posted by authorjodi at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I just had a small heart attack. I went to turn on my computer and it was dead in the water. I thought, well, ok God, I guess there’s a reason for this but what a bummer. When I got up to put it away and see about calling for a repair I thought I would just try plugging it in on the off-chance the battery had somehow fried itself. There ya go. I have no idea how it happened as I’d turned it off while I was driving, but the battery completely kaputted. I don’t know how long I can keep my noisy generator running in the Wal-Mart parking lot, so this might have to be a short entry tonight.

But that tells you sort of where I am. Boy was it weird. I arrived about 5 and went in to get a couple things, then asked a manager for permission like I’d been told. She said, yeah sure, just park around the edges. So I parked under two supremely bright lights and laid on my bed and went huh. This is very odd. It was blazing hot and I didn’t really feel like wandering the aisles for several hours and before the computer fiasco I had planned not to turn the generator on at all so I wanted to save my 2 hours of computer battery life til later.

Now at least it’s cooled down. I’ve got all the windows open (but not the blinds) so I can get nice and cool before I lock up for the night. I decided while laying on my bed looking out the window that I had to trust God to either protect me here or direct me elsewhere. I don’t feel like I need to move, so I’m going to stay and save the $40 they wanted for one night at the KOA. I have to leave fairly early tomorrow to make my meeting, then I’ll drive a couple more hours til I find a suitable spot.

Posted by authorjodi at 08:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by authorjodi at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, my Risk Management Consultant has advised me to change my posting habits a bit. Forthwith, I will still try to post every day, but identifiable info about where I'm staying will be posted the following day. I'm sure the 10 people who are reading this will wonder who could possibly be stalking me, but this is, as my Risk Management Consultant says, good practice in anticipation of the wild fame to which I will soon climb. Thanks Mom! ;)

I have a meeting with my publisher on Friday. I won't tell you where so that we're able to have coffee in peace without me being mobbed by autograph hounds. Ha ha.

Posted by authorjodi at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Alright, the name of this game is buzz...so let's create some. The first 5 people to post book reviews on amazon.com will receive a FREE whereisjodi.com t-shirt. An amazing $7 + shipping value. Don't be the last one on your block to have one of these babies. It's first come, first served and your options are grey S, brown M, blue M, tan M and pink XL. I have taken a picture so you can be amazed at how fashionably attired you could be at your next social engagement (please pardon the el cheapo web cam pic -- I haven't yet replaced the digital cam I lost):

Posted by authorjodi at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

You might think after only a day on my own I’ve fallen off my rocker. Maybe I have. I took the scooter for a little troll on the gravel road along the river that I walked yesterday. There was a beautiful spot by a small rapid (the kind you would love, Mom) so I scooted back to the RV and got my supplies -- and added to my shopping list b/c I was without a few essential supplies…

Armed with an extra bath towel and a book, I went back and laid pretty comfortably, even though I was laying on a bed of rocks. After an hour or two of pondering, praying and trying to remember song lyrics, I decided to get up and continue my hike. So when did I fall of my rocker, you ask? It is at this point in the story.

I was looking around at all the beautiful deserty landscape and saw on the opposite hillside a very sweetly situated home. The home actually wasn’t too unusual – split-level, fairly big and sorta old looking – but it sat on an outcropping and backed up to these really cool rocks. Kind of like Table Rock in Boise, where there are those straight up and down rock faces that almost look like someone was cutting kindling from above and left a chunk behind.

That was when the very odd thought popped into my head that I should ride up there and give them a book. I immediately dismissed it as totally and completely ludicrous and turned to head back home…but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Yes, it was totally and completely ludicrous and how would I even accomplish such a thing as I saw no way to get up there and quite frankly what would I even say to them if they happened to be home that wouldn’t get me hauled off to the nut shack.

I finally decided that I probably should rather look foolish than ignore it all, if it was an idea I was getting from the Lord. And yes, I said “should rather” instead of “would rather.” I know it’s not quite right grammar-wise, but it was how I felt. I stomped back home, hoping against hope that maybe my scooter had been stolen and I wouldn’t be able to do it.

Sadly, no luck, so I strapped on my helmet and pulled onto the road, intending to ride up to the gas station in Mt. Vernon and ask about how to get up there. Unfortunately I had forgotten to turn the gas on so the scooter died right in front of a turn-off for an antique store. I turned the gas on but it wouldn’t start, so I turned and started walking it up to the antique store, trying to start it every few feet.

Lo and behold, I walked far enough before it started to see that beyond the antique store was the road up to the house. I went ahead and rode into the antique place in the hopes of scoping things out before I rode all the way up there…but in reality I was probably just putting things off. I wandered around enough to figure out that the proprietors lived there, not up the hill. Onward and forward, I scooted up the pretty steep dirt and gravel road.

I told God that I’d guess He better protect me on this fool’s errand. It was comforting to know that, if this was the Oregon branch of the Manson family, at least they weren’t expecting me. I rang the doorbell a second time after no answer on the first and was just walking away saying “aha, I did my duty and slid out of it none the worse for wear.” But an older gentleman opened the door when I was halfway back to the scooter so I had to turn around.

“Hi. I’m not a nut or anything, but I was walking down in the state park and I saw your home and it was so beautiful and I felt like I needed to come up here and I’ve never actually done anything like this before but I wanted to give you a book.” Not exactly as I’d rehearsed, but I got it out in one breath. He looked at it and said “what book?” Oops, forgot that part. “Well, it’s my book actually. I’m just passing through on a book tour.”

So you’re thinking there’s gonna be some deep and meaningful reason I was led up there, right? Like he had been praying all night that God would show him a sign in the form of a nervous stranger at his door... Or he’d been about to commit suicide and the doorbell rang as he held the razor to his wrist… Yes, I am a fiction writer. ;)

But really, it was nothing like that. Actually, he gave the book back to me and said thanks anyway, but he was 92 and couldn’t see well enough to read anymore. I was apologizing and sidling backwards telling him what a lovely place he had when he started talking about it. He and his wife came there in ’67 after he left the military. His wife wanted a place where she could spread her arms and not run into anyone. Her people were all here and some of his as well. They’d wanted to be higher but it was a summer of wildfires and all the Cats were in use elsewhere. He’d finally gotten ahold of one and dozed a flat spot for the house, but before he could finish they’d needed the Cat back. He asked where I was from and then talked about his brother who’d been a GM salesman in Boise back in the day, but now only drove through there on his way to warmer weather. Right now his brother was on his way to Palo Alto Island, off a 7-mile bridge out into the Gulf. He apologized and said he would have invited me in for a drink, but he was just about to hop in the shower because he had an appointment. I said goodbye and that was that.

Now I’m sitting here on a blanket in the grass in front of the RV. Cali is acting remarkably docile, laying beside me with her leash hooked to the picnic table. The shade and slight breeze is helping to cool off the scorcher of a day it’s been. I’m watching massive RV after massive RV pull into the lot. And I’m wondering. What in the world? That was highly unlike me. I do occasionally get wild hairs, but I normally talk myself out of them. I’m wondering whether that was me being foolish or if it was some kind of heavenly directive that I don’t understand but for once obeyed. I guess I’ll not get an answer to that one.

Posted by authorjodi at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Two comments within an hour of posting today's activities...that almost makes me feel like I have groupies. :p

The campground has a 10p noise limit so I'm rocking out ("Happy") with headphones on while I type. Forthwith I have discovered a problem with this RV -- dancing in it makes it bounce around quite a bit...

Posted by authorjodi at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At least, I think that's where I'm at...

For those of you who asked to be put on my e-mail list, this entry will show why I refuse to send e-mail updates. You can read it twice, or skim it, or look at the length and avoid it altogether -- it's up to you -- and I'm not spamming anyone's inbox. ;)

I finally got on the road yesterday around 4p after a benedictory prayer from my parents. In actual fact, I would have never gotten out the door without my dad's herculean efforts over the past month. Hopefully I'll sell a kazillion books and be able to buy him something commensurate with his efforts. Maybe a yacht.

Anyway, my parents in the rearview mirror, I headed out to Weiser for a par-tay with my Grandma and 3 sets of aunts and uncles that live in the area. We had quite the fiesta so I didn't rise until after 9 this morning. Grandma made me waffles and coffee and I headed out around 12:30. Those of you who scoffed that my first stop was an hour away will definitely mock my second stop...4 miles from Grandma's house at my aunt and uncle's. I meant to say a 5 minute hello and ended up staying and chatting for an hour and a half.

Finally I was really on the road and when I stopped to get gas in Ontario I got my first "what the heck" question about the huge signage. I chatted with the attendant while he cleaned my windows and then roared out on Highway 26 with the idea of making it somewhere near John Day, about 130 miles distant.

For the person who shall remain nameless who was so interested in my altimeter on Sunday, I went over two peaks over 5,000 feet and a couple for 4,000 and change. It was a slow drive, but thankfully I wasn't in any tearing hurry. I thought about stopping at a couple lovely national parks, but as there was no cell service and I hadn't connected with anyone since that morning I thought I might be causing undue alarm in certain quarters.

I stopped at one lovely spot that was a "viewing" area -- nearly didn't stop as I was barreling down the hill and my brakes smelled just a tad when I got out from trying to make the stop -- and there was a couple there who asked about the signage.

When I reached John Day I pulled into the grocery store, asked a clerk about RV parks, and ended up at this lovely state park about 5 miles from there. I'm still on Highway 26 as far as I know and this spot has electrical hookups, spotty but occasionally there internet and a lovely river with a nice path beside it. The third signage question of the day was more of an actual conversation with the campers next door while I was outside eating the chili mom made me. Sadly, my record is 3 questions, no sales. I think I need to work on my pitch.

Well, the internet was good enough to connect and let me start writing this, but ever since I haven't been able to reconnect. I'll probably get this whole thing written and then have no way to upload it. Oh well. I took some video but I'm not sure I can get it up with this connection. Maybe tomorrow.

Posted by authorjodi at 08:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

So I was going to leave sometime today...and I will just make that deadline. ;) I'm tearing around like a madwoman, throwing stuff into Bertha, running a last load of laundry, etc., etc., before ripping out to the mechanics for him to tighten a belt that's squealing prior to a 2p appointment to have the last piece of signage rolled on. If I can make those appointments on time I shouldn't be hideously late to the bon voyage dinner my grandma is making in Weiser. The next time I post it will be from the road!!

Posted by authorjodi at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm sitting in Bertha, typing on the tiny side table with my brand new wireless card connecting (slightly slower than I'd like) to the internet. What a kick! Granted, I'm still parked on the street in front of my parent's house, but things are getting so close to ready I'm starting to buzz. The final proof came through for the vinyl siding that is going to blare my presence everywhere I go. I'll post a picture once it exists in reality, but here's the mock-up:

Posted by authorjodi at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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