Friday, October 25, 2024

A Morning Drive


It’s my day off, and I decided to drive to a country store about forty-five minutes from my house. The drive and spending the time to and from was worth it. 

Fall colors surrounded me. Some trees are still green, but there were plenty of amber, gold, and rust mixed in, all against a blue cloudless sky. Minimal traffic to contend with. My Spotify playlist moderately loud, giving me something to sing along with as I drove. 

Sheep, goats, and a horse shared a mid-morning snack in a field, heads down, ignoring me as I sped by. Not really speeding. Keeping it a mile or two under or over the limit, getting in no one’s way. No cares, no worries. Nothing on my mind, except for working on a tricky plot of the book I’m writing. Gritty like the others penned in my name. Another thriller with a coming-of-age thread. A mystery to solve. But even with that, I wasn’t so preoccupied that I missed out on the scenery, the relaxing drive, the time away. 

I spent much less time in the store than I spent getting to and from it. Picked up three different kinds of cookies- I’ve never met a cookie I didn’t enjoy. Picked up two different small loaves of flavored bread, some dark chocolate peanuts and some chocolate covered buckeyes. Yeah, I have a sweet tooth. 

But it wasn’t so much what I bought and brought home. It was the relatively short, but relaxing trip. The quiet, except for the music. Whatever stress I had- not feeling much these days, I had, seeped out of me. With a Diet Coke to sip on, I think I was almost in heaven.

Small towns, burgs, really, dotted my way. Worn out, a bit tattered. Nothing large or big. Various road crews doing their thing- mowing, digging, turning dirt. Their bright yellow or orange vests and helmets catching my eye.

A few political signs here and there. Most were for the guy I wouldn’t vote for if a gun was placed against my head. No, I prefer my president to not be a criminal, a fraud, a liar. Their choice, I guess. As I said, not mine. Not in a million and one years.

Back home, sitting at my kitchen table with my golden at my feet to keep my company. Writing my thoughts down. In no hurry to do so. Just wanting to get it down to capture my brief morning. 

I think we all need a drive in the country in the fall, with music blaring loudly to ease our minds from time to time. To relax and take it easy. To not let stress tear us apart and do us harm. Breathe in the country air through the open window. Noticing the birds in flight overhead, a squirrel scurrying across the road out of harm’s way. Nothing much to think about. Nothing much to care about. Free and easy as we go, right? A moment or two out of the rush. Stepping off life’s treadmill to take a break. A needed time to breathe, to exhale, to recharge. Needed! Something to think about …

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference! 

For My Readers:  

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site. 

Pleases Connect with Me on Social Media: 

Website https://www.jrlewisauthor.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh   

Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is available for preorder NOW and ONLY at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount. 


For those of you who are interested in receiving a signed copy of Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) or any of my other books, I will have author copies to sell and sign at the Following Upcoming Events: 

Porter Branch Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2001 Parkway Blvd. Stafford, Virginia. 

Salem Church Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2607 Salem Church Rd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Howell Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 806 Lyons Blvd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Or, simply message me and I will get a signed copy to you. 

Intro Photo by Simon Berger and Unsplash

Book Cover Photo by David King and Black Rose Writing

 

 

Friday, October 4, 2024

Tribute


This past Saturday, my wife and other family members attended a celebration of life for my brother-in-law who passed away about one year after his wife, my sister Mary. It was a small gathering of friends and family, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

Three of his children, now grown ups and successful in their own right, spoke. They spoke of lessons learned: driving, getting through college and the military, setting goals and following through on them. They spoke of his laughter, his pranks, his determination. 

There were stories that brought tears and laughter. While there was obvious sadness and pain, there was also a thankfulness and joy. Much of the reminiscing was joyful. 

Through it all and ever since that day, I’ve been thinking about what my two daughters might say about me upon my passing. 

In 2014, at our son’s celebration of life, Hannah spoke about the lessons she learned from Wil. She made us laugh as much as she made us weep. Emily chose not to speak, but instead, found a beautiful poem that was read by the celebrant. I talked about living your life- not someone else’s life, not someone else’s dream of a life, but living your life. And with it, making a positive difference in the lives of others. 

But what might Hannah and Emily say about me? What kind of impact- if any- did I have on them? 

It’s important for them to know that I love them fiercely and would head into a fire barefoot if it would benefit them. It’s important for them to know that I’d fight the toughest hombre with bare hands if I could protect them. 

But would they feel that way about me? Did they, would they, recognize that in me- in my words and in my actions? What adjectives might they use to describe me? Hopefully positive ones, meaningful ones.

And as I reflected on that celebration of life and on my upcoming celebration of life whenever it occurs, it occurred to me that if I have doubts about how they see me and how they might remember me, perhaps I need to make sure from this minute forward, that the life I lead, the words I choose, are positive, and loving, and ones that build up, rather than negative and hateful words, and actions that tear down. 

Do I need to change my life, my words, my thoughts, to reflect what is in my heart or am I good to go- in all that those three words imply? Because if not, I need to change now before it is too late. Something to think about … 

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference! 

For My Readers: 

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site. 

Pleases Connect with Me on Social Media

Website https://www.jrlewisauthor.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh  

Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is available for preorder NOW and ONLY at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount. 

 

For those of you who are interested in receiving a signed copy of Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) or any of my other books, I will have author copies to sell and sign at the Following Upcoming Events: 

Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Riverside Park, 701 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

Porter Branch Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2001 Parkway Blvd. Stafford, Virginia. 

Salem Church Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2607 Salem Church Rd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Howell Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 806 Lyons Blvd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Or, simply message me and I will get a signed copy to you. 

Intro Photo by Demure Storyteller and Unsplash

Book Cover Photo by David King and Black Rose Writing