I’d originally titled this edition “Reaching the Pinnacle” because that’s exactly how I felt at the time I began writing to you all. Since “meeting” fellow author and University of Oklahoma professor Holly Karibo online in early 2021, I dreamed of a joint presentation in Fort Worth: Holly talking about her research into the Fort Worth Narcotic Farm and addiction treatment in the 1940s and 1950s, and me sharing Papa’s experience in that very facility.

When that dream became a reality, waaaay back in March, I was flying higher than a kite! After figuring out expenses for the trip, I decided that taking the dogs and the camper would cost me about the same as flying, staying in a hotel, and boarding. I love planning road trips, almost more than anything else in this world, so that part was super fun - choosing campgrounds and meticulously calculating drive times.

As the date for the trip approached, something popped onto one of my feeds informing me that Covid infections for Texas had reached the “very high” level. No worries, I thought. I’ll just get a booster before I go. No such luck. Because of the timing of my request, I was not eligible for the '24-25 version, and the '25-26 version had not yet been released. However, the pharmacist confidently told me to call him after Labor Day to schedule an appointment, as he expected to have the new batch in by then.

We all know how that turned out.

I’m not yet 65 and have no eligible qualifying conditions, so no vaccine for me prior to the trip.

About a week prior to departure, I developed a significant twitch in my right eye, in direct response, it would appear, to all the things that seemed to be going sideways. Significantly, I learned that a well known dog trainer had lost one of her dogs to a tragic accident involving excessive heat in a vehicle. While my superpowers include planning and problem solving, they can easily be negated by my tendency to catastrophize. I quickly purchased a camper monitor and made arrangements for the boys to be looked after during my presentation. Belt and suspenders, you know.

I also leaned on my study of stoicism as I watched the hummingbirds fattening themselves up before my very eyes. They have no time or bandwidth to worry, they just need to accumulate sufficient fuel for their trip south which is, by the way, a zillion times more challenging than my road trip to the “scary” state of Texas.

* * * * * * * * * *

UPDATE

Success!!!

My only real regret is that there’s not more photo evidence. But I didn’t get sick, my car didn’t break down, I didn’t blow out any tires, the dogs managed beautifully and the camper AC handled the brutal heat like a champ.

Additionally, I spent time with one of my favorite law school friends, enjoyed the Texas flora and fauna and, most significantly, my beloved eighty-eight year old aunt (“Precescious” in the book), flew in from San Diego. I was able to share the presentation with her, as well as spend special one-on-one time.

Unfortunately, Holly didn’t make it. Interestingly, she’d been scheduled to present on her book in February, but got sick and cancelled. That opened up the option for us to do a joint presentation, but alas, it was not to be. Lucky for me, I always have lots and lots to say about my book and I was able to fill the time. I met some wonderful, interesting people, who had their own experiences inside the facility! One of them sent me an article he’d published in 1982. It captured a study he and his co-author did on a sample of former inmates at the facility in the 1970s. Fascinating stuff.

I continue to be overwhelmed at the treasure trove of experiences I’ve accumulated since this book came out two years ago. Next month, I’ll have some more good news to share, so be sure to tune in!

Until next month,

~ Debbie

NONFICTION: Rehab on the Range: A History of Addiction and Incarceration in the American West by Holly Karibo

This is the book Holly was working on when I first contacted her in January of 2021! Her research is meticulous and I’m deferring to the Texas Observer for this nugget: “Fundamentally, this book reveals how the United States--and Texas--has long struggled to understand its own attitudes about drug addiction...These questions were already being asked 100 years ago, and we're still waiting for answers.” --Texas Observer

FICTION: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Full disclosure: I started this book and felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the characters’ thoughts and feelings throwing themselves all over the pages! But that’s actually the point of it… Backman creates complicated and very human characters, and this is ultimately a wonderful read!