Where have you been, Kelly Jones?
August 12, 2017
When my two latest books, EVEL KNIEVEL JUMPS THE SNAKE RIVER CANYON . . . and LOST AND FOUND IN PRAGUE, came out, I redesigned my website and added a blog. I attended a blog workshop where I learned a blog needs a theme. An important aspect of my stories is setting, so I decided on a theme of PLACE.
I blogged. I wrote about the city of Prague, the setting for my most recent Berkley publication. I also blogged about my hometown of Twin Falls, Idaho, the setting of the novella about Evel Knievel and his attempted jump over the Snake River Canyon. I wrote about the settings of my previous three books, played around with metaphorical themes of place. I wrote about being between a rock and a hard place. But then, I started a new book, and well . . . not much blogging going on here.
So, where have I been?
I’m getting close to having a manuscript ready to go out for consideration. The story is set in the Tuscan wine country. If you have read LOST AND FOUND IN PRAGUE, you already know my characters. Dana Pierson is an American reporter, and Father Giovanni Borelli, an Italian priest. There’s wine involved—millions of dollars’ worth of Borelli Brunello—and some family secrets. Dana is still trying to make her way through life.
As I was working on this latest book, I found myself also working through life. My husband Jim retired at the end of December. Two weeks into January, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At the end of January we lost my Dad. He was 92 and ready to leave us, but there is still a big hole in my heart.
As Jim finishes up his cancer treatments, we are hopeful. We recently returned from a vacation with kids and grandkids on the Oregon Coast. Fourteen of us in one big house! Jim and I took early morning walks, picking up shells and driftwood. We returned to the smell of sizzling bacon and a house full of family in various stages of awakening. We feasted on enormous breakfasts of eggs, pancakes, French toast, bacon and sausage. During the days we explored, visiting neighboring cities along the coast, descending on the souvenir shops en masse. We watched the grandkids digging and building in the sand, dipping their toes into the waves. The big grandkids bravely tested the frigid waters of the not-so-warm-Pacific on boogie boards. And we ate—homecooked meals, planned and prepared by our children and grandchildren; Tillamook ice cream and cheese and Pronto Pups smothered in mustard; fresh crab and salmon passed around in paper containers for all to taste; hot dogs and s’mores roasted over a campfire on the beach.
We returned home with many memories, and a reminder of what is important in life.
So, this is where I’ve been … writing, living life, loving my family, and cherishing each day.
Reader Comments:
fantastic to care for each other and to live life joyously!
-rjankowska, September 13, 2017
Thank you, rjankowska. Even more reason to live joyously now. Jim's cancer is in remission. Planning some new adventures!
-Kelly Jones, September 14, 2017
Anxiously awaiting a new book. But of course, family comes first. Glad to hear Jim is doing so well.
-LARuby, October 29, 2018