Rico--The Lady of Tranquility

Good evening,
I hope the weekend has been a blessing. We had a gorgeous one in Colorado!

These two pictures are but a taste of the area around Rico, Colorado. For those of you who know the plot of my book, I'm sure you understand the message behind the cemetery. Yes, a man will speak from the grave and shine light on much going on in the world after he's gone.
But, beyond the graves, take note of the splendor of the nature in that area. Everything from Rico to Ridgeway spoke of absolutely the most breathtaking scenery. For more information on this fantastic vacation area please click on this post title.

Even though the weekend was busy seeding and fertilizing a lawn, meeting with friends, gaining a surrogate daughter for the summer, (yes, you read that right) and cleaning the house, I was able to crank out a chapter of the book. I do have a goal of about

80,000 words before fall and I'm at about 33,000 now. Please pray with me as I search for an editor.

Hopefully, I'll be submitting another short devotional within the next couple weeks--need that platform.

Plans for the fourth? If you are looking for a great place for fireworks, Palmer Lake, Colorado, is always the best. It will take you a while to find a parking place in this small mountain town and over an hour to leave. But, sit back and enjoy the fellowship in your car. No work on Saturday. Hope you got that memo!

That's it for tonight. Please feel free to leave a comment or question!

~~Jackie

Mesa Verde

Aaaa.. ..Mesa Verde. What can I say?...hot! The southwest portion of Colorado was extremely hot while we were there. But, beautiful. What part of Colorado isn't beautiful, huh? If you click on the title above, you'll go to the national park page about Mesa Verde. If you plan on a trip there--going before mid-June would be a great idea. While you're there, you'll feel a different spirit there. There is what some would call calm or peaceful. But, the stillness felt like death to me. You know, there is an eeriness there that can't really be described with words. The skill shown reminds me much of the Pyramids.


On a different note, those of you who get this via email, please stop by the blogsite. I've added cool links and feeds on the right hand side that are lots of fun. And, if you aren't a blogger yet, it is a great way to keep up to date with everyone. It's like journaling but leaving out the most private stuff. Let's face it, the world can see you here.
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I'm still on the book and hope to get some done this evening. Word count is about a third of the book so prayers are much appreciated. I'm also looking for an editor or book doctor to look at it when I'm done. I've informed an acquisition editor at Waterbrook that I hope to have a draft by mid-fall.

Off for tonight~~
Jackie

Durango to Silverton

Good afternoon and I hope you are enjoying a great Sunday! A touch of rain here today, and we need it. Lee and I are off to a picnic this afternoon, then we'll begin the mental change from vacation back to the office.

But first let me share about the Strater Hotel in Durango. Amazing! Simply amazing! The hotel is similar to the Old Colorado Hotel in Glenwood Springs, though smaller. And, it's located in the heart of downtown Durango.

The train to Silverton made for a very long day. Total time was about nine hours. In the picture on the left, we are actually seated inside at the back of the train and took a picture of the engine as she rounded the mountain ahead of us. Oft times, the edge of the track was just outside our window. The drop down was longgggg, but gorgeous.

I've included snippits of Durango, the hotel and train below. Accompanying links will offer more information if you're interested in visiting a bit of history in Colorado.

Tomorrow...Mesa Verde. Quite a different spirit.

Until then~~

During the 1870's miners flocked to Durango as they searched for gold and silver. The town of Durango itself was the child of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, established in 1879. Company management planned and laid out the charming downtown that remains today, though when the railroad first "arrived" in town on August 5, 1881, Durango was dubbed the "Smelter City" and "the new city in the wilderness," as it was host to the region's growing smelting, mining and agricultural economy.

Strater Hotel -- 1887-At a time when Durango's future still hung in the balance-would it remain a mining camp or become a metropolis?-a Cleveland pharmacist named Henry Strater had the vision and the faith that Durango would prosper. And with its prosperity, it would need a grand hotel. Strater had the nerve and drive, but he also had three minor handicaps. He lacked sufficient money, he had no experience in the hotel business, and he was still a minor and legally could not enter into a contract. Undaunted, he fibbed a bit about his age, borrowed the money, and plowed ahead. Construction was quite a challenge, but with the help of his brothers, Fred and Frank and His Father Antone, and a lot of enthusiasm, Henry's dream was realized. The Strater Hotel opened after an expenditure of $70,000, and placement of 376,000 native red bricks and hand-carved sandstone cornices and sills. For more information on Durango or the hotel, click on http://www.strater.com/

Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882 (amazingly, only 9 months after construction began) the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. For more information, click on http://www.durangotrain.com/

Gunnison, Montrose and Silverton

Aaaahhhh--vacation! First thing we did was enjoy the smooth drive through Gunnison, Colorado. Gunnison is about three-plus hours southwest of Colorado Springs and home of Western State College of Colorado. After gawking at the beautiful lakes, we were on to Silverton via Ouray where we had opportunity to look wayyyy over the edge on million-dollar-highway just ourside Ouray.

If you tiptoe to the edge...go on....closer...you can see the drop off. That drop is at least 1,000 feet and many places on the highway didn't have a rail. There is current construction going on there now. So, be careful if you are going to Durango this way.

The Uncompagre River seems to run forever and is absolutely gorgeous! Plenty of fishing. Lee and I are already planning our next trip. Between Gunnison and Ouray, we spent one night at a B & B in Montrose. Had we known the beauty of Ouray, we probably would have driven the extra 30 minutes to Ouray on our first evening out.

Thanks for your prayers while we were gone. The SUV absorbed many miles with no car trouble at all.

Tomorrow, the beginning of a journey back to about 1882. Toot Toot! chugga chugga chugga....

Until tomorrow~~

Jackie

A Word About Me

Lee and I returned from our vacation this evening. We had a whirlwind of a time together--Montrose to Durango via Silverton. Then, we took the 126-year-old train from Durango to Silverton and back to Durango--long day! That line was constructed to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan. After that, we were off to Mesa Verde. We left that area and came through Rico, Colorado and up to Ridgeway. After a short detour to Telluride, we made our way to Ouray. The evening there was at a lovely B & B. We left late this morning and had dinner before getting home. Surely you didn't think cooking was on tonight's schedule, did you? Moving right along...I've looked at email and hope to chill the rest of the evening. Lord willing, the blog tomorrow will have pictorial highlights of our trip. This picture is just a taste.....

A friend of mine posted this to her blog. I thought I'd pass it on to you. The below answers are one word answers about me. Care to share yours?
Blessings,
Jackie
1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen
2. Your significant other? hubby
3. Your hair? highlighted
4. Your mother? Sue
5. Your father? James
6. Your favorite thing? Eschatology
7. Your dream last night? comforting
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? finish
10. The room you’re in? family
11. Your ex? remarried
12. Your fear? none
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Larkspur
14. Where were you last night? Ouray
15. What you’re not? lost
16. Muffins? please
17. One of your wish list items? published
18. Where you grew up? USA
19. The last thing you did? drive
20. What are you wearing? clothes
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets? Brittany
23. Your computer? always
24. Your life? peaceful
25. Your mood? preparing
26. Missing someone? Jesus
27. Your car? tired
28. Something you’re not wearing? jewelry
29. Favorite store? Chicos
30. Your summer? fulfilling
31. Like(love) someone? hubby
32. Your favorite color? periwinkle
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? today
35. Who will re-post this? anyone!

Vacation is just an hour away....

Happy Sunday! For all the dads--Happy Father's Day!

The squirrels were out early this morning as Lee was feeding them. We have about eight squirrels who hear the back door open or hear the garage door open as I leave every morning. These sounds are their reveille.

The book is nearly a third complete on the first draft, then, I'll self edit. After that, I'll ask a couple friends to go through it for content and plot. I have contacted the publishing house who is interested in the book to let them know that the rate I'm going, the first draft should be complete by early fall.

The best part of the book is how Lee and I are wrapping our heads around the story line ...together. At least one huge scene will be crafted with the facts that only a pilot could know.

Hope you have a great day.

~~Jackie

Forever Family

Good evening,
Another article published and I thought I'd share. Hope you have a great weekend!
~~Jackie

Forever Family

The church lobby door slammed shut. Small copper bells that hung over the door echoed throughout the offices. Startled, I rounded the corner of my small office. My nine o’clock appointment arrived on time—9:15.

His hair resembled an untidy Afghan and the heat of this mid-summer day smothered him with a stench that mixed sweat and dirt. With his left hand cradling his right elbow, he nodded at me when I offered a handshake. An awkward introduction.His manner was cautious. In an attempt to break the ice, I stepped aside and presented my office as a game show hostess would present a prize.

“My name is Joyce. Please come in.”

“I’m Ron,” he said as he walked past me and entered the office.

Eight chairs surrounded the large rectangular table. I pulled a chair out for him and then one for myself. As we sat side by side, I scanned the benevolence application he dropped off the prior day. From my peripheral vision, I saw him rub his elbow. I laid the application on the table and exchanged it for a nearby Bible.

“Ron, I research community requests to determine what assistance, if any, the church can offer in certain situations. You state on your application that you aren’t currently working but you have a wife and one-year-old twins. Why aren’t you working?”

As the ball rolled into his court, he unveiled a small piece of his story.

“I hurt my elbow on the job and I’m waiting on workers’ comp. I need food and diapers for the twins.”

I flipped through the pages of the Old Testament and stopped at Deuteronomy 15:11. With the pages of the Bible open, I asked Ron if he would allow me to read something to him.“You see Ron, the only way we would have ever met is if God gave you a need and He gave the church a supply. There is a divine reason that you are here today.” I pointed to the text and read out loud while his eyes followed my fingers on the page.“For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”

Silence permeated the room for a few moments as I watched Ron ponder those words. The sun’s rays through the open drapes now revealed dried tears on his dark face. Perceiving the Spirit at work, I gently continued, “Do you see yourself in this verse?”

Tears welled up in his eyes as he pointed to two particular words on the page. “Needy. Poor. I’m needy and poor.”

I nodded in affirmation and then flipped the pages forward to Luke 4:18-19. “‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.’”

Tears now cascaded down Ron’s face as he took his eyes from the pages of Scripture and looked at me. With quivering lips he spoke. “According to this, you’re supposed to tell me something. What is it?”

For the next few minutes, time stood still as I watched the resurrection of this man’s heart. Once again through the preaching of the Gospel, the Spirit of the Lord grasped a man’s heart and brought him from darkness into light—from death to life.The church supplied his need, spiritually and physically. Ron told me he felt like he had known me forever and we experienced a family reunion—brother and sister.

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A few months later, Ron called me with another food request. Eager to see him, I agreed to deliver.Upon arrival at the door of his inner city duplex, a voice from inside beckoned to me. I gazed around the small living room. The floor hosted at least 15 old sleeping bags. I scrunched my eyebrows and looked into Ron’s beaming face. One by one, I pointed at the sleeping bags.

“What is all this?”

He laughed through the face of an angel. “New family members. The poor and needy—our brothers and sisters.”

“Food for the family reunion.” I handed him the bag and smiled.

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Again--beautiful photo from http://www.freefoto.com/

Withstand the Weather

A short devotional of mine was published this week on Mustardseedministries.org. I thought I'd share it with you...

Withstand the Weather

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall. Matthew 7: 26 & 27 (NASB)

Joy filled Rachael and John as they carefully picked the plans for their dream house. They poured their hearts into everything from annotating light fixtures in the kitchen to picking the precise color of stucco for the outside.Everything progressed perfectly—almost. Upon final inspection, Rachael’s countenance sank when she saw the bathroom light fixture hang over her kitchen sink. Who placed the light switch behind the refrigerator?John’s face flamed red with discontent when he saw the stucco on his house chip due to icy weather conditions during the application. Cracks in the newly cemented driveway told the same story. Will the sky light leak when rain pours?Rachael and John immediately contacted the builder and demanded that the items be repaired. They wanted their house built well so it would meet their needs and withstand tough weather conditions.As Christians we are to pay attention to the tiniest details of our faith and search the Scriptures daily. We should desire a well-built house. Only a foundation built on Jesus is able to withstand tough conditions in this world.

Father, help us to build our lives in Christ so we are able to stand—regardless of anything that comes our way. Amen.

And, this fabulous photo and hundreds of others can be found at http://www.freefoto.com/

Bazillions of the best photos anywhere!

a"Moose"ing Suspense?

The story begins in a small Wyoming town. Peter Broyles is dead--no accident. Along the way, many geographical touches enter the book. Including this one. Incredible, isn't it? A moose--of all animals--enters a suspense novel. Ever hear of MRU's? Motivation reaction units. They are a must to keep the story moving forward with tension on every page. I was totally amazed when I discovered a moose made a cameo appearance in the story. hhmmm, MRU? Doesn't take much to imagine that if one of these beautiful beasts attacks, a person would definitely react....hence moving the story forward.

Wyoming and Colorado are the main locations for this suspense novel. So yes, you will see elk, moose, mountains and maybe a cat or two. During the autumn, you'll hear the bull elk bugle and his breath will permeate the still evening air. To make sure the journey is accurate and the story as real as possible, Lee and I hope to take a few days to travel to the small town in Wyoming. We may even find a graveyard with a tombstone that resembles Mr. Broyles'. Maybe other clues will be found in the "clutter" of the book's details before the manuscript is complete.

Take the trip with me. Four chapters are completed and I never know where it will turn. After all, the moose showed up quite unexpectedly. Prayers are appreciated as I try to complete a chapter plus per week.

Oh, what's that? You want a seed of a clue about the story? ok...Peter Broyles is needed desperately. And, he is no good to anyone dead. Except for the package he left behind.......

Blessings to you until next time~~

Jackie