What Love meant to me.

On this day, Debbie would have turned 52. I can still see her smile when she was 16 and 48. It never changed through the years. No matter what my age, her pearly whites would make my heart skip a beat while the butterflies danced in my stomach. She was the true love we all strive for or dream about. I know I'll never find another like her, so I contemplate and relish the many memories she, her girls and I were able to fill her last seven months. Nothing was forced, it came natural. Funny how going grocery shopping, touring McAlester, OK, a trip to Sonic or Brams, or just walking around the neighborhood and going to the park. There were such simple acts, yet they were so powerful and memorable. Below is an excerpt of one of those trips:

The girls all made a decision.  Let's go to Braum's for lunch. Sounds like a good idea and off to Braum's we went. Now the girls were under the impression that Mom was untouchable and could get away with any and everything when it came to Jeff. Not exactly the case. Debbie was not big on trying new foods. I had a strawberry shake which she found quite disturbing. She kept threatening to put something in it. The girls found this very disturbing. Their mom was messing with his drink. That’s wrong! We would never get away with that. I kept telling her to do her worst. What no one noticed was my right hand was gripping the bottom of the cup and when her face came within an inch of the cup, I gave it a good squeeze. The strawberry liquid jumped out of the cup and covered her face from her chin to her glasses. The girls were in shock as was she. I looked at her and said, “Hey Debbie, how'd you like my shake?” The playing field had now been leveled. None of them ever again complained about my menu. In fact, I introduced them to all types of new food with great zeal.

I can't help but chuckle as I read the above and remember the look of utter surprise on all the girls faces;especially Debbie's. We had so much fun together. I think the beauty of our relationship was the ease we did everything together. Nothing was forced. Nothing was expected. It just happened. I think that's what love means to me. 

Enjoy your partner with the time you have, for you never know when it will end.

  

In honor of he birthday, I've reduced the price to $3.77 on Smashwords and Amazon. It might take a day for Amazon to reflect the new price.

Jessica, Amanda and Debbie. Our last trip to Wylie,TX. What a great time we had!

After the funeral.They became my second set of girls.

Amazon US
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-True-Second-Chance-ebook/dp/B004PYDG30/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1362153512&sr=1-3&keywords=jeff+dawson


Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46313

A closing poem written by Amanda.

Three Years

It’s been three years.

Time goes by so quickly, it seems like.

I remember when it was one day, one month, one year.

Sometimes I think about it.

Sometimes I try not to.

Sometimes it’s hard to forget.

Sometimes I wish I could.

I miss her more than anything.

I miss seeing her – hearing her voice.

I don’t remember what her voice sounds like.

In fact, I hardly remember anything.

I don’t remember the way she smelled,

Or the way she talked,

Or the way she loved.

I forget sometimes – that she’s gone.

I talk about her in present tense.

I think about how old she should be every year on her birthday.

It isn’t fair that she got to leave me.

It isn’t fair that I’m here alone.

It isn’t fair, is it?

How can it be?

How could she leave me?

Surely she didn’t mean to.

Surely she didn’t want to.

Did she want to leave me?

Did she want to make me feel this way?

Did she care?

Did she have a choice?

I bet she didn’t have a choice.

That’s okay.

I didn’t either.

I think of the things that we should do –

That other girls get to do with their mothers.

I can’t do those things.

I can’t be like them.

I’m positive that she would’ve wanted us to do those things.

She would’ve wanted us to have that time together,

But we can’t now.

She won’t see me at prom.

She won’t see me on my wedding day.

She won’t see my husband or kids,

All because she’s gone.

She may be gone, but she’ll never be forgotten.

I love you, Mom.

R.I.P. 7/20/2009

A little dity for those in the UK. Posted it in Vampires versus the Third Reich. Why not?


Good afternoon from the chilly plains of Texas. How is everyone in the UK today. These are exciting times. Why? Well, for me, baseball spring training has begun. There is nothing like going to the ballpark, turning off phones, ipads, desk tops, laptops and such, and become immersed in a great game. LOVE IT!

I also took the desktop to the shop for a much needed enema. How about that. It actually works. Now, as long as I don't hit the power button, I should be in good shape. What else? Ah, I finally joined the 21st century and purchased a smart phone. I was very excited when I turned it on, and then this voice message came out: "Oxymoron for the day. Jeff Dawson—Smart Phone." I am so scre..d! The phone was still laughing as it was flying across the room. "Now, what ya got to say?" Still picking up the pieces.

Hope everyone has a great week. Film at eleven.

 

If you're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and need something do this weekend, come to the http://www.condfw.org/. My co-author and friend, Larry Welch will be unveiling our new book: Gateway: Pioche

June 2016—Stanford, Ca. GRADUATION for Muki, Abdul, Larry and Judith. Six years of cramming for finals and pursuing double masters degrees has finally paid off. It's time for them enjoy the fruits of their labor. A trip to Las Vegas and the blackjack tables before entering the word of commerce and research.

Their good fortune at the tables doesn't go unnoticed by the local mob boss, Nathan Rizzo, who decides, What money comes to Vegas, stays in Vegas. Instead of enjoying their winnings, the graduates find themselves in a hair-raising, life-threatening pursuit through the sleepy town of Pioche, Nevada. They find themselves northeast of the town at an abandoned military complex. Not wanting to tempt fate, they decide to stay put for a day and explore the complex.

What and who they find could unravel truths surrounding the most debated conspiracies of the past—who shot John Fitzgerald Kennedy, what happened to Judas Iscariot and did America really land on the moon in 1969. And of more consequence, will Judith be able to purge her families ties to the Third Reich?

Prepare for the most riveting tale of time travel!

 

I will also have both copies of Ocuupation available. That includs the controversial cover.

 

Shirts and posters will be available.

 

Hope to see you all there. Of course, if you have a mate, I highly suggest you do something nice for them before dragging them to this exciting event. Believe me, it will pay off in the long run.

 

Good Times!

Three Star Review: Bring em on!

Over the years, I've watched many authors jump up and down with ecstatic glee (including myself) when a four or five star review shows up. You'd have thought we'd won the lottery. Along those same lines we receive the occasional message about a dumping two and dreaded one star review. When those appear, we start drumming up support from any and all we know to blast the reviewer to the next millennium for being so crass and unnerving. How dare they post their opinion. I saw this just recently from the Queen of Vampires: Anne Rice. Come on Anne, you're a seasoned writer and a little criticism keeps us all on our toes.

But why is there no mention of the number three? What has it done to garner no recognition at all? Has the number three offended us in someway? What did it do to be left out in the cold? Why do we as authors not thump our chests and cheer when we get a three, three-and-a-half or even a three-and-three quarter review? Why? Well let's see. I believe it's because three is stuck in the middle. We take it for granted that we've written a three star book, but we want more, and for some reason, the number three just doesn't excite us. Well it should.

I've given out a slew of three star reviews. Some of the authors have accepted the review and moved on, while others were absolutely appalled with the ranking. Beats two, so I would think.

What do I like about the three star? It is an honest thought from a reader. Plain and simple. I'll say it again, it's an honest review—and potential readers will READ IT! I recently received three, three star reviews for Occupation and I was thrilled. I messaged each of the reviewers for their private thoughts on what they didn't like about the work. Overall, they thoroughly enjoyed the story, but there were a few parts that didn't please their palates. Excellent feedback! So, what did I do with those reviews? I spread the word and shouted from the highest building (without falling off). These are the reviews I seek out in spades. I will take ten three stars over one five any day of the week. We all know the stigma surrounding the five star:

"They must be family or illiterate friends."

"They paid for the review."

"They were promised a free book for a good review."

"They've set up ghost accounts to pad the reviews"

And the list goes one. But no one questions a three star unless it's a disgruntled author. In my humble opinion, what we as authors miss is, the three star is an compilation of our work through our readers eyes and minds. For me, it is the best tool available in sharpening our skills and turning out better works. After all, isn't that what we are aspiring to achieve? So, bring on the three's, our books are awaiting your arrival.

However, if you'd like to throw in a four, please feel free.