I thought I'd drop in, knowing it's been a while. I've been asked a few times when is the Road to Nowhere book 3 going to be released. The project has been at a standstill for some time. I'll get into some of the details expanding on why in a minute, but first, I know this year has been chaotic for most... I just want you to know, it's a passing event that we will all overcome with time. 

 I keep hearing about people committing suicide, and it grieves me and my family. We're praying for all of you. People have been effected by the virus in various ways; through losing employment, through financial hardships, through homelessness, and hunger, uncertainty, marital problems, abuse, through losing a loved one,  or fear of the future. Whatever you're going through, hang in there. This situation with the lock-downs, the virus, all of it--  it is temporary and it will pass.

 Life is full of highs and lows, and sometimes when you feel like you've reached the bottom, it's hard to see a way out. You have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps, and keep moving forward. It will get better. With all the negativity in the world right now, you have to focus on whatever positivity you can find. Tune out the noise, and don't let fear or depression consume your life. You will be okay. Giving up should never be the answer. 

 If anything, right now is a perfect time to go back to school, learn a new trait, focus on a new hobby, re-certify, or learn something you always wanted to learn but never had the time to do it.

As for myself, I've been busy. Last time I posted, I was doing a firefighter contract job in Antarctica at the McMurdo station. I was hired on as an airport firefighter shortly after coming back home. Our family tends to move a lot. My wife is supportive and she allows me to work where the job takes me. I'm in California, and we had just moved from the high desert to a rural farm community. I was offered a job as a city firefighter in Washington, and it looks like we'll be moving again when the academy starts next summer. I was born and raised in Washington, so for me, it won't be anything new. My brother lives out in Washington, as well as some of my family members. For my wife and daughter, it will probably be different, but they're excited. 

Book 3 has been delayed tremendously, and for that, I apologize. It's been put on the back burner,  since the person who has helped me with book 1 and 2 (my wife), has been hit with a storm of trials. It wouldn't feel right to release something without her final touches. Although she never wanted to be credited, she was a huge part of the process. In many ways, she was the co-author. Please keep her in your prayers. She didn't feel well, she was having episodes... which I won't get into. She was in and out of the hospital for weeks earlier this year, trying to find what it was. A series of doctors told her she was healthy after many different lab works and physicals. When her heart started to act up more, that's when they referred her to cardiology. They were able to provide us with the answers to what was going on. They placed her on several medications, which her body didn't respond well to. She was progressing some, but started to decline a bit, and now with the new medication they gave her last month, she's finally seeing progress. They put her on Ivabradine. I don't know what to say other than, this pill has saved her life, and we are hopeful that it will continue to work.

The other part of her struggle has been an entirely different situation. She was stalked when she was 13, and assaulted. Years passed, and last year, my 11 year old daughter had said while my wife and I were in the backyard, a man had came out of one of the downstairs rooms. He had broken in. She saw him while she was sitting on the couch, and he was coming from the hallway. She didn't react. She froze, and didn't scream. When she described him, my wife knew who it was. There are very distinct features about him, like his height being 6'4, demeanor, his hair, tattoos, facial features, physical attributes, and voice. It was the main reason why we moved out of our house, after having the uninvited intruder. We do believe he was drunk when he broke in, based on the fact that my wife had said he was an alcoholic, and how my daughter described his gait. He is someone who is significantly older than her, and who we believe is potentially dangerous. My wife's peace was stolen and her and my daughter were fearful to be home alone while I was at work. 

I know that it isn't difficult to find someone's information online. Your name is attached to addresses on your credit report, whenever you buy a home or take out a new car. Sites like mylife, make it easy for people to get your address. There's really nothing we can do about that. I won't get into too much detail, out of respect for my wife, but he eventually he left right through the front door. My daughter said he barely touched the door handle, and it seemed he hesitated to touch it in the first place. He told my daughter he'd be back later. 

My wife knew him to an extent, but like most predatory stalkers, any form of communication feeds into their delusions. When he was stalking her, she felt like she had to placate him because she was fearful that he'd hurt her. after his assault, she found ways to forget about him, and she did. When she enlisted in the military, she said it was like he never existed. Him breaking into our home was an assault on her peace, and brought back other memories that my daughter and wife had buried away. 

My daughter said she remembers meeting him before, when she was around 5 years old, and he claimed to be a friend of my wife. He had a conversation with her and gave her a doughnut. We moved, we put up cameras, and I got licensed to carry a firearm. I bought my wife a shotgun, but we just hope and pray that this nightmare is over. 

It seems as though a lot of people have been hit hard with health issues. I know of several people, some in my immediate family, others are acquaintances or friends of friends. Our family continue to pray for this nation and for everything going on, including the unrest.

I firmly believe that violence is not the way. It's okay to peacefully protest, but to burn down your own communities, to murder someone, or assault, to loot, to vandalize-- it's not right. This division and chaos isn't solving anything. More than ever, we need more love in our hearts. It's seems as though there's there's a blanket of darkness that has come over America. It doesn't matter what political party you identify as, we as human beings should be better than that, and we are capable of being better than that. You can't make the world we live in a better place by tearing down neighborhoods. 

We moved to a rural are that we fell in love with, especially my daughter, Ev. She enjoys sitting on the swinging porch bench, and watching the views. It's away from the city, and a lot more quiet. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone waves at each other when they drive. There's deer, rabbits, foxes, mountain lions, and squirrels. The house came with a cat. It usually stays near the front door of the property. The house had been vacant for several months before we moved in. The cat was emaciated, and we felt sorry for him so we took him in. My daughter named him Mr. Winston. He's doing well now. He put on a lot of weight, and seems to have more energy. 

We also have a new addition to our family, my wife rescued a chihuahua from the humane society before the lock downs began. We named him Kylo Runt. We just call him Kylo though. We keep him indoors, and he rarely sheds. He has a lot of personality, and we have no regrets adopting him.

 

It may be some time before book 3 comes out. Until then...

Hoping you all have a Happy Halloween.