Tomorrow is November 11th, which is both Veteran’s Day and my birthday. My mother used to say she timed my birth so she could be home with me on my special day. (Back then, she was driving mail on a Star Route in rural, eastern South Dakota—seven days a week, 52 weeks, except for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and, by the time I was born, Veterans Day.)

I’ve been thinking about her a lot recently because my nephew is downsizing, and he gave me a stack of old papers his mother (my late sister, Jan) had squirreled away. One item was a nearly pristine Autograph Book. It obviously was a gift to Jan on her 11th birthday. Below is the message Mom wrote. It brought a tear and a cosmic shiver because I was reading it on what would have been Jan’s 85th birthday.

Is that an amazing gift or what? But I have another coming that has me super excited. JP and fiancé Sarah are taking me to see The Mavericks (Tex-Mex band) on Friday. I haven’t been to a concert since Andrea Bocelli (pre-Covid) with my late sister, Jean. I’m feeling so blessed.

Here’s one of my favorite songs: I Should Have Been True

Halloween weekend, Paul and I made a day trip to a place called Casa de Fruta, which was hosting a Car Show and a Vintage Trailer “Spook-fest.” The car show was mostly made up of low riders, which was pretty interesting. These vehicles show a lot of pride, investment, and culture.

The Spook-fest was a hoot! You could tell people were thrilled to be part of a gathering that celebrated Halloween in all its glory and weirdness. 

I came away with this great sign! 

And I got to put the message to use this past weekend when Paul and I drove our RV—with its new “TOAD” (a recently purchased Fiat, which is one of the lightest towable vehicles on the road).

We camped two nights on the San Luis Obispo coast, attended a car show in Cayucos, watched a “raft” of otter moms with babies, enjoyed perfect fall weather, and dined out—an early birthday treat—on the bay.

Just delightful!

COVER VOTE

I’ve been having fun with covers, but as I keep learning new tricks of the trade, I find myself tweaking some of the ones you all voted for in the past. (Which explains why I’m still finishing up my Black Hills Rendezvous series, instead of working on Whiskey Ridge.)

Here are two covers you haven’t seen. Please vote for BLACK HILLS STRANGER #1 or #2. 

and

Please vote for BLACK HILLS BABY #1 or #2.

There’s no right or wrong, just your preference. Two winners will be drawn from the pool of all answers and announced in my next newsletter on November 24 (the Wednesday before Thanksgiving). Each winner may choose between a $5 Amazon e-gift card and a $5 Starbucks e-gift card.

Your first Christmas Bargain Book is a great deal because it’s 50% off. If you like a good cry with your holiday happily-ever-after, here’s your baby.

Deb’s Bookstore: Caleb's Christmas Wish
50% off code: CALEB50

As always…happy reading, my friends. Thanks for all your kindness, understanding, and support.

Deb

Upcoming Wednesday – 11/24: an early Morro Bay Thanksgiving + Christmas Bargain Book #2, + the final two Black Hills covers