Welcome to the first blog entry on Wonky Word Wednesday. What’s that you ask? Well, it’s my new and hopefully improved blog. A blog I intend to update weekly. Is that possible you say? I say it’s all a matter of priorities, and mine have been altered since I attended the Dreamspinner Press author’s workshop earlier this month.

If you’ve followed me on Facebook this last month you’re aware that I left The Land of Enchantment and ventured to the Sunshine State via a very long road trip with Mr. Etta. Originally, we planned to stop in Bonita Springs, Florida and drop him off to visit with his mother and sister while I partied in Orlando. Oops, I mean attended a beneficial conference designed to hone my craft and improve my marketing efforts.

We did those things, but extended our stay an extra nine days, when my mother-in-law, who had just celebrated her 89th birthday, was diagnosed with lung cancer. This wasn’t surprising because she had been a four, yes that is a four, pack-a-day smoker in her younger years. It has been probably 20 years since she stopped smoking. We attended her doctor appointments as her treatment plan, designed to keep her comfortable, was discussed. We were happy to go with her to radiation treatments and spend added time with her indulging her wishes to play cards. It was a teary-eyed goodbye when it came time to leave. None of us said it, but the thought was there that this could possibly be the last time we see each other.

We discovered that driving through Florida during Spring break is unadvisable. Traffic was everywhere, and what should have been a six-hour drive out of the state, turned into a long ten hour trek. After a night’s rest in Sarasota, we drove across the bay in Mobile at sunrise. It was gorgeous. Mr. E was excited to see the USS Alabama, since he’s a WWII buff. We stopped in Louisiana at a little place off the highway called Crawfish Town USA. OMG such a simple culinary feast! I never tasted shrimp so good and cooked perfectly before. From there we drove to Fulton, Texas a small town on the Gulf of Mexico. We spent four days with our friends, eating, drinking and laughing. It was a wonderful vacation, and we’re grateful to have made it home safe.

I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention that I have a new book coming out next week. Hound and Harmony will be released on all distributor sites on Tuesday, April 4. Look for more information on next week’s Wonky Words.