I have signed up to be one of the OUTmates for a two-day workshop in an Abbotsford prison on November 6th and 7th and please don’t ask me what that entails because I don’t know BUT it definitely sounds interesting.

I am also in the process of putting together a packet of information in the hopes of getting on the Fanny Kiefer Show - right here in beautiful downtown Vancouver.  She does a wonderful job interviewing authors, artists and anyone else of interest.  The packet will be going into the mail Monday.  I think it’ll help that I’ve already been interviewed on Breakfast Television, Living Vancouver with Jennifer Burke and Real Estate in Delta.

Yesterday I purchased 2010 Microsoft Word and was absolutely delighted because this is the first time I have seen just “Word” without bundling it up with “Office.”  I had Microsoft Office and all I EVER used was Word. I already have Microsoft Publisher so I have to get busy and put my new mini Morocco Without a Pit to Hiss In into Publisher and get going on the marketing.

So…..Hi Ho, Hi Ho - It’s off to work I go and check with me within the next couple of weeks and my new mini will be ready for shipping.  My next mini (I believe) will be on Greece.    Joei

The 800 miles would normally be no big deal but I really did NOT enjoy the trip home.  I drove almost every day and did a book signing every day and most were unsuccessful.  I sold 3 books each at 2 different stores in Prince George.  I sold 5 books in Quesnel, 23 books in Williams Lake (Yeah) and 7 books in 100 Mile House.  The 100 Mile House was a new store for me and they did mention that I could come back at any time……always music to my eyes.

Although my sister had been preparing for heart valve replacement neither she nor the rest of the family were prepared for it happening quite so quickly.  She ended up in emergency twice in the same week and the second time they kept her. Did the rest of the tests and the surgery was on Monday.  I made the mistake of reading about it on the internet and (frankly) it scared the hell out of me.  Mona came through with flying colors and is doing VERY well.  She was transferred a couple of days ago to a nursing home because she lives on the second floor of an apartment with no elevator - she will be in rehab for a couple of weeks and will definitely NOT enjoy the experience.

I arrived home on Sunday in the middle of a 90 degree heat wave.  It took me about 4 hours to unload my camper because after each load I had to sit and regroup…..sweating like a pig I was.  With one last load to go I felt ill and needed water and food before I could go on.  Around 6 PM I parked my camper in our RV lot, put on one  of my two new bathing suits and went for a 2 hour swim……felt MUCH better.

Monday was a totally wasted day.  All I could do was offload my camper and Tuesday went to  my writer’s group, got a haircut, picked up some packing boxes for some orders that need shipping, did some grocery shopping, checked on some new Michelin tires and when I arrived home some friends called and asked if I wanted to meet them for a swim….yes, yes, yes.   Just what I needed.

I’m back in the groove and ready to get back to work.  My new mini is in the final stages, the cover is unbelievable and I absolutely love it.  As I have said many, many, many times Brion at www.Bookcreatives.com is an absolutely master.

So I will repeat…..Home at Last…..and happy to be here.   Joei

The driving has been relatively easy.  The only rain I had was the day I left (last Saturday) and even then it was just sprinkling most of the time.  I spent that first night in a campground in Vanderhoof.  I ended up meeting and having a wonderful evening with Rod and Mary from Crescent Beach….about 4 miles from where I live in Surrey.

The book sales have been minimal and I think that’s a sign of the times.  I sold 3 at each store in Prince George, 5 in Quesnel and yesterday I had my first (of 2) signings in Williams Lake.  I sold 5 yesterday and (hopefully) will do better today.  The store wants 2 of each (signed) for the shelf so these signings will be well worth while.

Both Quesnel and Williams Lake have had fires in the area and I was told that both places were heavy with smoke but overnight rains have taken care of most of it and I’m grateful for the clean air.

My sister’s surgery was by far the most stressful and since I didn’t have computer access and phone was limited in the north I worried constantly and it really drained my energy.  When the surgery was finally over and I heard of her son that all went well I was relieved to the point of tears.  It is now 4 days after surgery and she is well on the mend.  I had a 45 minute conversation with her last night and she sounded like the old Mona…..and I know the old Mona because I talk to her every night and have for the past 10 years.

I asked all my Facebook buddies for good thoughts and prayers for Mona and they really came through for Mona and family.  I THANK THEM ALL from the bottom of my heart.

So I have another signing today (Friday) in Williams Lake, one tomorrow (Saturday) in 100 Mile House, will stay overnight in Clinton, have a great BBQ rib dinner in the campground and, if all goes well, I’ll be home Sunday.  I think it’s about a 250 mile drive.

Can’t wait.  My next post will be from HOME.   Joei

I have had a wonderful summer starting at the 13th Annual RV Owners Lifestyle Conference at Okanagan College in Kelowna and I’ve been handing out brochures for the 14th annual and I have been invited back for next year.  My Solo RVing class had sufficient participants but the Travel Writing class was almost empty - 5 signed up and 3 showed up.  The other 2 were stuck in Alberta with vehicle trouble and did apologize.  Perhaps I can think of another class to replace it for next year.  My after dinner lecture on Morocco went very well and I had a huge turnout for that.  Al Cohoe who organizes the entire event also came up with a new word that should make the dictionary sometime soon…..he got confused while introducing me at the banquet and couldn’t figure out the word to use - either documentary or talk and it came out talkumentary.  I’ll go for that.

The signing at Save On Foods in Kamloops went well considering it was a Tuesday.  I sold 10 books and then discovered that it was a holiday weekend and stores were having hot dog/hamburger sales and in Williams Lake I couldn’t find a campground so I stayed overnight at the Tourist Info Center before moving on.

I organized a book signing in Smithers for July 31 and no one realized until it was too late that it was a holiday weekend.  I had one radio interview (the 2nd radio/television person never showed up) and the local newspaper did a wonderful job on a story.  I ended up selling 15 books (9 to the public and 6 to the store) and EVERYONE was delighted.  The book manager said that only one other author did better than I did and she was a local celebrity and worked for the CBC.  A librarian from Telkwa purchased 3 books for her reading room. I gave her a brochure and I told her I will DEFINITELY be back in Smithers next summer. She would be interested in a talk for your group.

Book sales have been a little slower than last year but I think everything that has anything to do with money is slower than last year.  On this little 5 week trek I have sold a total of 96 books so far.

My new mini read on Morocco is (mostly) finished.  Of course I’ll be going over it another 1,000 times to check for mistakes but that’s normal for me.  The cover has been approved and, as I’ve always said about my cover designer/website creator Brion at www.bookcreatives.com HE IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.  There I screamed it out at the world.  This new cover for Morocco Without a Pit to Hiss In is his best work to date…..but I say that about every one of his covers.  Will definitely be ready for shipping within the next few weeks.  I want to do that job from home.

I’ve also decided on my next mini which will be about my trip to Greece.

I am now organizing my signings for my trip home.  I leave Smithers on Saturday, August 7th and will be signing in Prince George on Sunday the 8th and Monday the 9th.  On Tuesday the 10th I’m signing in Quesnel.  That’s as far as I’ve gotten so far.  There are still stores in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House but I’m told that fires in the area are making it hard to breath so I’ll be checking it out.

In the meantime.  It’s all good and I’m hoping for an easy trip home.  Thanks for listening.  Joei

The week up here in Smithers has been mostly good.  I did another editing of my mini read about Morocco and some of the additions and changes have been laugh-out-loud funny. Needless to say I’ll keep going until I’m really happy with it and have decided on the mini after this one will be about Greece.  I also seem to be having a problem with a name for my newest baby…..but that too will come about.

I’ve been asked to write a short piece for the local paper up here so I’ll have to get on that before too long. Also Truck Camper Magazine has asked me for a 200 word plus picture update on my summer travels. I have my camera batteries warming up as I write.  Today’s the day for a toodle around Smithers for some interesting shots of where I’m spending my summer.

At the beginning of the week I was talking to a couple of campers and, for no other reason other than I thought I was swatting at a mosquito, I looked down at my leg and realized that I had a rather large spot that was swelling and turning black.  Since this was the 2nd LARGE bruise within a few days I decided to head on over to the emergency.  After a 2-hour wait the doctor told me it was probably a small broken blood vessel and since I’m on a blood thinner there was absolutely no chance of a clot.  Even though the month wasn’t up I decided that my blood should be tested and my normal range should be between 2 and 3…..it tested out at 3…..still within range but high.  I find it interesting that I take rat poison (warfarin) and donuts and ice cream with no problem but my system cannot tolerate broccoli, green leafy vegetables and liver. Oh well…..I’ll have to handle it.

Had a VERY interesting week media-wise.  I was interviewed by phone for one radio station. Yesterday I was interviewed by the local newspaper and the story should be out next Wednesday and I have another radio/television interview next Friday…..all in time for my book signing next Saturday, July 31, 2010.  This small town media attention is really fun.  Next year I’ll try and get a few lectures going.

All is well up here in the north country.     Joei

I have now been in this campground one day less than 2 weeks and I still have a couple of weeks to go before my book signing on Saturday, July 31st. For the last couple of nights the campground has been full and everyone….and I do mean everyone is gone this morning.  I am alone and it’s 2:24 in the afternoon and I’m hoping it’ll be full again tonight.  For the last couple of days I have sold  two books each day so I have a few coins jingling in my pocket.  This is a very different year from the last, sales are slow and slim.

A couple of days ago I met a woman in the ladies room. After a brief discussion she told me that she had been in politics for 20 years and retired 2 years ago. I told her that I’ve been living in British Columbia for 4-1/2 years and have NEVER lived anyplace that sucks worse than British Columbia and it is the politicians of this province that have sold us down the river.  I never saw anyone lose a smile faster than she did. When we got outside she commented about the beauty of mountains and then left in a hurry.  My heart was singing.  All everyone is talking about these days is the new harmonized tax that went onto everything on July 1st.

Thursday I was supposed to meet a bunch of local writers at the library.  A couple of women, whom I already knew, were there and no one else showed up.  We decided to forget about the writer’s group and meet for coffee at the Farmer’s Market instead.  Aileen’s comment was “well, that’s Smithers for you.”

I also learned yesterday that my niece Rena will be coming out to Vancouver on August 23rd for a conference for the new business she just purchased.  I have decided to cut my time in Smithers short, book sign my way down highway 97 and get home in time to have a WONDERFUL time with my family.  If my California sister can find a cheap and cheerful flight she’ll be coming up to Vancouver as well.  I feel like dancing.

The first and last major edit of my new mini read about Morocco is now complete.  There are still a lot of finishing touches but the job is done.  I am now looking for a catchy title.  I’m hoping it’ll be available on my website in a month or so.  My website and book cover guru, Brion of www.bookcreatives.com already has the cover in the planning stage but needs a name.  I’m excited.  It definitely is the funniest mini so far and I’m looking forward to my next project.     Joei

Since they are relatively new to the camping world they were surprised at how long I’ve been on the road. I gave them a brochure for the 14th Annual RV Owners Lifestyle Conference in Kelowna and they promised they would be there next year.  They felt they had a lot to learn.

We talked about my books and I was delighted when they purchased Everyone’s Dream Everyone’s Nightmare.  We told jokes and stories until around 10:00 and both George and I were being attacked again. For some reason or other they seem to leave Bonnie alone.  Perhaps George and I are on blood thinners and the mosquitoes are on a diet…..but who knows.

I was out walking the campground in the morning. Definitely overcast and cool. Bonnie opened the door and asked if I would like some coffee….I always accept my morning brew and when I was about halfway down the cup there was a knock at my door.  Bonnie was standing there with an absolutely GORGEOUS (paper) plate of scrambled eggs with ham.  I didn’t know I was hungry until I started eating and I cannot remember the last time I tasted something so delicious.  Not only was the food great but it might have had something to do with the fact that I didn’t have to cook it.  Even though it was YEARS ago I do remember being served breakfast (and my coffee) in bed.

About 15 minutes later I knocked on their door to check on my dessert…….oh I’m just kidding……I knocked on their door to thank them for a great start to my morning and George asked if I had ever had Dunkin Donuts coffee and he immediately handed me a one-pound bag of Dunkin Donuts Hazelnut coffee.  The only thing that would make the coffee better is if someone brewed it for me EVERY morning. Any takers out there…..I pay slave wages but the benefits are good!

We said our goodbyes.  I wished them safe journey.  Got dressed and came out to the Farmer’s Market in Smithers…..There’s plenty of time to work this afternoon……And I promise I will.

That Morocco Mini Read is not going to write itself.    Joei

I drove into town a couple of days ago and found the library, told them I was an author and they’ll be looking at a possible event for me but not much goes on in the summer. I also met Aileen Norton who frequently runs Author’s Workshops and Retreats and she’s trying to get a weekly get together at the library for many local authors PLUS myself - which would be wonderful.  I’ll also be contacting the head office of Northword newspaper - right here in Smithers because I did write them and say I would be spending the summer here.  So lots of good things happening that I should be pleased with including cleaning the outside of my camper that hasn’t seen a scrub brush in way too many months.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Goudoux here in the campground who sent a message out to everyone in his contact list (or newsletter list) telling them about our meeting and putting a link to my website so I received over a hundred hits in a day.

Today I’ll be heading back into town just to meet up with a friend of a friend (if she’s there) and hopefully make a few new friends here in Smithers…….BUT I’ll confess something…….right now I feel that my being here falls under the category of…..WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING.

I know that I’ll definitely last the month - the summer - well that’s another matter.  Fortunately, because of the July 1 holiday, I didn’t do any signings on my way north - which means I can do them on my way south and after I leave here work my way home slowly.  I’ll keep you’all posted…..but for the moment……Smithers is a lonely place to be.   Joei

I left Kelowna last Tuesday, drove the hundred miles to Kamloops. The book manager recognized me from last year and asked if I wanted to do a signing - and, of course, I said “yes.”  She set out a table and chair and the four books that were left on the shelf from last year. I took a bunch out of the back seat of my truck and I was in business.  I must confess that I had totally forgotten that this was a holiday weekend and although I spent lots of time sitting and doing nothing I still sold 10 books.  Not great but a few coins jingling in my pocket is always a good day.  That’s all I can hope for these days. Decided to leave it to one day.

That night I camped in Clinton.  There is a VERY cheap and cheerful campground right on the outskirts of town that I found last year.  Can’t say much for the campground but the owner (Michael) is a fantastic cook and puts on a barbecue in the evening.  For $13.00 I had a gorgeous plateful of ribs along with all the potatoes and gravy, rice and beans that I could eat.  I brought my own bottle of wine (since he is not licensed) - had a glass and a half and I was a VERY happy camper. If you’re not a “ribs” person (if such a person exists) you can have chicken or salmon.

I had hoped to do a signing in Williams Lake since I was VERY successful last year but (and here’s where I discovered that it’s a long-weekend holiday) the campground was full.  I was told that everything had been booked last year so I ended up parking with a dozen other campers at the Tourist Information Center.  I was invited to join 5 other campers (who were on their way to Alaska) for a spaghetti dinner which was absolutely wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed their company except for one drunken husband who ruined all conversation - he was loud, boorish and unless you were head-to-head with who you were talking to you heard nothing.

When I arrived in Prince George I took a wrong turn and ended up on the road to Vanderhoof.  I took that as a sign to continue on since that was the road I wanted.  I camped at Dave’s RV Park in Vanderhoof.  Spotlessly clean but (and I think this is a sign of the times) almost empty.  I went into their clubhouse, laundry and shower room and discovered the latest issue of the RV Times.  My story about Victoria, BC was published in that issue.  I was told that one of my pictures would be the cover of that issue but that didn’t happen so I was somewhat disappointed.  They did a nice job on the story though with lots of sidebars.  I’m sure the campground in Victoria where I stayed will be delighted with it.

Saturday was my last day on the road.  Halfway to Smithers I ended up with a headache similar to the one I had the day before. It was just enough to annoy and make me was to stay put but I kept driving.  About 10 miles past Burns Lake and really out in the boonies I was delighted to see Hossack Road…..now who da thunk.  Had I been in a better frame of mind I would have stopped and perhaps met another Hossack but I just kept driving.

In Smithers I stopped for groceries and drove to the campground.  I checked in, tried to nap in the hopes of getting rid of the headache but I didn’t do either.  It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t had a cup of coffee since I got on the road Tuesday.  I made a small pot and before I had finished a quarter of the cup my headache was gone - never to return.  And who says caffeine isn’t addictive.  My next door neighbor was an older man traveling alone.  We sat out at the picnic table - he with his scotch and me with my coffee.  A pleasant way to spend half an hour - just before the rain came down in buckets.

Well - I have lots of food and I’m perfectly comfortable, for the moment anyway, and I intend to finish writing my mini read on Morocco.    Must get back to work now.    Joei

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon and spent a couple of days with my friend Gillian Herbert (Baja, California expert) in the Wal Mart lot.  I had forgotten all the people I had met last year while camping in the lot and was delighted to see some of my friends who meet for coffee every morning at Wal Mart…..a bit of old home week.  I’m also delighted that I only had to spend 1-1/2 days before coming into the conference.

Arrived at the college on Friday at noon, checked in, parked, picked up my packet of information and walked around seeing and talking to others who were arriving early.  Almost EVERYONE was new….only a few die hards from last year.

My first class was Saturday and it was Travel Writing. Last year there were 13 in the class. This year 5 had signed up and only 3 showed.  The other 2 found me on Sunday and apologized since their camper and then their truck broke down and they didn’t arrive until Sunday morning.  I really couldn’t get going with so few people.  You know me…..I need a crowd to be funny.  Saturday night was our musical entertainment and I must confess i just sit and drool over the leader of the group. He and his 3 cohorts are here every year, he teaches one class in personal safely and is the head of security for the school.  A major drool fest.  Great musician as well - plays at least 6 or 7 instruments along with pulling on the strings of my heart.

On Sunday I did my RVing as a Solo seminar - there were about 20 and we had lots of laughs.  I learned as much as I taught because some in the group are really up to date with computers and phones and telecommunication.  Great fun…..and I do mean that we ALL enjoyed it.  I gave them enough handouts that they’ll know everything they ever wanted to know about solo RVing.

Sunday night I did a lecture on Morocco - had about 75 people in the audience and got a standing ovation. No one loved it more than I did……got a few book sales out of it but this has been the poorest book sale year since I started here about 5 or 6 years ago.  Just a sign of the times I guess.

Tomorrow I head out to Kamloops.  Will stop into the Save On Foods and see if I can do a signing or two before heading north.  I’ll keep you all posted but in the meantime…..all is well…..and having a great time.  Joei