Happy Friday, everyone. We made it through another week and it has been super busy! So, let’s catch up.
April is Poetry month and I often forget to share and promote our book, Discovery, Poetry and Art by Rick and Jan Sikes. I published this book shortly after finishing the fourth book in the True Story Series. There is a bit of history behind this book.
Rick created this book over the fifteen year span he was incarcerated in Leavenworth Prison. After his release, he took the original pen and ink drawings and added color to them, but they were only black and white at first. So, after I finished the true stories about our life together, I needed to publish this book of poetry and art to make it full-circle. Here’s just a short poem from the title work.
Not all poems were serious, such as “Do-Little Dandy, Sho’ ‘Nuff Handyman” and “The Title Is Too Damned Long or (When Aunt Bessie Rode A Bike To The Belly-dancer’s Ball)” They are musings from a man who had a unique sense of humor, realistic outlook on life and the talent to transfer all of that into rhyme and rhythm. The artwork only adds dimension to the poetry. Here’s one small example.
As I approach the date of his death, I am happy to share some of his work with you. If you enjoy varied poetry, you’ll enjoy this book. I have always struggled to find my favorite poem from this book, but I tend to go to this one just because it’s so relatable.
Standing In Line
As a kid I remember standing in line for shoes outgrown
Guess I’ll be standing in line from now on
Standing in line for my clothes, in line for my chow
I’ve spent my life standing in line somehow
Stand in line for a job to work my life away
Then stand in line for my pay
I once had a woman, I thought was true
I found I was standing in line for her too
Spending my life reaching for a star
Standing in line to sing and play my guitar
Waiting for a dream to come through
Standing in line is all I do
This ole’ in-line life
Fills my soul with grief and strife
Stand in line ‘til I’m bent and old
Standing in line for parole
Boss said, “Walk slow, stand in line
We’ll let you know when you’ve done your time”
So, I’ll stand until they let me know
Standing in line watching my life come and go
There you have it – just a glimpse inside this beautiful book. Here’s the purchase link if you’re interested. DISCOVERY.
I’ve read some really good books this month and will be posting reviews soon. Goodreads tells me I am behind on meeting my reading goal. 🙂 Understandable with the book launch and travel. I’ll get caught back up.
On the writing front, I am back to work on A Noble Bargain! I had to take a break from it to launch A Beggar’s Bargain, but it feels good to be back in the story. On my trip to Missouri, I discovered some new things that I will insert into the remaining books in the series, such as a booming mining town that is now nothing but empty land, and a town founded with gold that no longer exists. Could it be that I’ve found my writing niche in Historical Fiction? I don’t know. I guess only time will answer that one.
A few months ago, I was invited to contribute to an anthology and given only three words, Crimes, Sins and Misdemeanors, as the common theme. That book is now available! My story falls under the ‘Sins’ category.
Given only three words-crimes, sins, misdemeanors-a dozen skilled authors have created a tremendous adventure through the dark side of humanity. In these pages, you’ll find: a political prisoner in what turns out to be not-so-solitary confinement; a young woman who has finally had enough of being abused by her lowlife husband; two busybody elderly sisters who become convinced that their next-door-neighbor has murdered his wife; a man who fulfills his buddy’s dream of owning a very special car; a wild-child teenage girl desperate to find a way to bail her boyfriend out of jail; a rivalry between two farmers that turns deadly; and a lonely, frustrated little boy who discovers a powerful and terrifying new way to channel his anger.
My oldest grandson is graduating from High School in May and will be attending Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It doesn’t seem possible that he’s ready to leave the nest and strike out on his own. The entire month of May is filled with final school events for all of the children. This is me and Ryan at one of my very first book signings. I only had two books at the time, but he was my helper that day.
Life is busy, but I am reminded daily not to get so busy that I miss it. I love Dr. Seuss!
“
How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss
Rick was a man of many talents. His poem, “Standing In Line,” brings back memories of working in the prison system. (It’s so true of those places, and life in general). Your Grandson is going to Calvin College. Is he going into church ministry? Just curious because I’ve known a few people who’ve attended there.
I can see why that poem would evoke prison memories, Mark, especially since it was written behind bars. Ryan is not going into ministry. He’s getting his degree in computer engineering. He’s super excited about going.
HI Jan, I read this post the other day and purchased Rick’s poetry book. I forgot to come back and comment on your post. Congratulations on the anthology. It is incredible how quickly time seems to go once you have children. I was thinking that today. The past 21 years have flashed by but my childhood seems so slow in my memory (in a good way).
It is really amazing to me how fast time flies after we reach a certain age. And now in my seventies, it’s going even faster. Thank you for purchasing the poetry book. I sincerely hope you enjoy it and thanks for the congrats on the anthology, Robbie. I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment!
💚
You certainly are busy, Jan. I imagine you have mixed emotions reading the poems. I hope they bring some comfort. A new book, and old book, and an anthology entry. Very busy indeed. I’m still working on ‘The Edge of Too Late’ – I’m behind on my reading goals as well.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks for your comment, Dan. I appreciate you taking the time to stop in and leave a comment. I’m thrilled to hear you are reading The Edge of Too late! I am going to try and get caught up on some reading now that A Beggar’s Bargain has launched.
Writing takes a lot, Jan. Marketing is its own kind of challenge. Congrats to you on a successful tour.
You are 100% right, Dan!
Dang–lost the subscription again! Take 37…
I do love your posts, how they lift me up, and hate missing them.
Lol! WordPress makes it all challenging, to say the least. Glad you found me again. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Jacqui!
I loved Discovery, I have it on book shelf. Glad to hear you are working on a second book, I’m looking forward to it. Congrats on your anthology, I picked up a copy. Great quote, it is going by too fast. My grandson is only two years behind yours. Xo
Thank you for your recommendation of Discovery, Denise. Much appreciated and I am honored that it sits on your bookshelf. Thanks for grabbing the anthology. I hope you enjoy the stories. Some of the participating authors are new to me, so I look forward to reading their work. Yep. Time is going by way too fast and your grandson will be leaving the nest before you know it. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and leave a comment today! Have a great weekend!
Wow, you’ve been a busy beaver Jan with your new series, anthology, and a beautiful tribute book to your husband. Wishing you much success from all your endeavors Jan. 🙂 x
Thank you, Debby. I published the poetry book in 2016, but I often forget to promote it. It’s true, I am a busy beaver, but enjoying life. Have a great weekend!
Fantastic Jan. Enjoying life is the key! Happy weekend to you too. x
Calvin College is a fine school! I wish your grandson the very best! 🩷🌷🌺
I love the poetry and the drawing, too, by Rick. xo
Thanks, Kymber. We are excited for him, but I know I’ll cry when he leaves. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed today’s post!
Rick was multi-talented – music, poetry, drawing. The drawing especially struck a chord with me. Congrats on the anthology, Jan! That’s an adorable pic with your grandson. Can’t get a better helper than that. Have a great weekend!
Thank you for stopping by, Teri. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. That drawing is a great depiction of prison and how it can break a man. Rick was one of the strong ones that refused to be broken. Have a great weekend!
Jan, your post brings me back to when I met you and John Howell at a book fair while traveling to Fort Hood to see my cousins. I purchased Discovery at the event and very much enjoyed it. All the best.
I remember that you purchased Discovery when we met. And you gifted me a bottle of essential oil. I loved getting to meet you and John. It was a good day! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Hugs!
Rick could draw, too! He was a talented man! I like the clever title and idea for the anthology… May 15th is just around the corner!
Yes, Priscilla, he was truly a talented artist in every sense of the word. I thought the title for the anthology was intriguing. 🙂 I had fun writing a story to contribute. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
This post is full of wonderful things. I love the poem you featured from your book of poems written with your husband and the picture of you and your grandson. I’ve had little helpers as well at book signings. I am so pleased you are writing another book in the Bargains series. I just finished A Beggar’s Bargain and loved the characters. Will the same characters be in the next book? xo
Hi, Darlene. Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and super thrilled you enjoyed A Beggar’s Bargain! Yes, some of the same characters will be in the second book, but they won’t be the main characters. My characters will end up at Layken Martin’s farm. 🙂