Hello, fellow creatives! I’m back home from my travels and have a mixed bag of things to report.
First the good. I arrived in Lockwood, Missouri on Wednesday the 14th. On the 15th, I had a packed itinerary. I started at the Greenfield, Elementary school that morning, where I got to speak to a student assembly of 5th and 6th graders. I always enjoy that so much. They ask such thoughtful questions, and lots of them were genuinely interested in learning what it takes to be an author. Several of them had participated in a local young writer’s contest and I got to hand out certificates. From there, it was on to the Greenfield Library for an afternoon, then later that night at a local restaurant where we had a private room for an event.
The next day started out much the same with back-to-back events at schools, a nursing home, and a book club meeting where I got to meet another author, Frank Johnson. I’ll be sharing my review of his book at the end of the month.
I only have a few photos to share. I’m terrible at remembering to get pictures, especially when I’m busy signing books. 🙂
Saturday, I decided to return home after the last afternoon event of the day. I had originally planned to stay one more night, but felt I needed to come home. Book sales were down compared to the last time I went to Missouri, but that’s just a reflection of how it is everywhere. Still, I met some great folks, and sold enough books to make the trip worthwhile. Plus, my wonderful hostess, Brenda, who is the head of the Dade County Genealogy Society, took me on a backroads tour of the local Amish farms. I bought some wonderfully fresh vegies and really enjoyed visiting with the owners of the farms. Their simplistic way of life is appealing.
Now, for the bad (actually I hate using that word, but it is the opposite of good.) Maybe unfortunate is a better word? I discovered after I arrived in Missouri that somehow through some strange phenomena, the back window on the driver’s side of my car was shattered. It’s still a mystery to me how this could happen. I heard nothing, was not in any kind of compromising road situation (other than lots of construction) and there was no storm. Yet, here it is.
Every penny I made selling books will go into replacing this glass. My friend suggested I sage my car. The weirdest things have happened to it, so she may have a good idea. The good news is that the glass stayed intact. I have never seen anything like that.
Now that I’m back home, I am focusing on trying to market my Christmas book. I created this short reel. See what you think.
I am so deeply grateful for the encouraging early reviews of this little story that almost didn’t happen. 🙂 That’s another lesson in never giving up. For everyone who has purchased it, shared it and taken the time to read it, I THANK YOU!!
There is nothing to report on the grandchildren this week as I was away. I’ll get back into the swing of things this coming week, I’m sure.
I saw this on Facebook, and it resonated with me, so sharing it with you.
I returned to the angel cards this week. I truly felt the angels with me on this trip, especially through the hard driving rain on the way up and then when I got lost in Tulsa and ended up in a bit of a panic on the way back.
I’ve seen no updates on Sally Cronin. If anyone has heard anything new, please share. She remains in my thoughts and prayers.
On a final note, I am over at Teri Polen’s infamous Bad Moon Rising event today! Fly on over and let’s chat over there!
Discover more from Jan Sikes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I’m glad your event went well. The window looks like it resulted from a quick temperature change. Cool window, then hot sun. I’m not an expert, but that happened to me.
Thank you, John. That has been a popular opinion, but I didn’t go through any drastic temperature changes anywhere. I am pretty sure something must have hit it, but don’t know when or where. Thankfully, I am getting it replaced Wednesday!
It was so nice of you to visit the school and talk to children about being an author. That is a great thing to do. I am so sorry about your car window. Perhaps there was an underlying invisble or hard to see stress fracture and suddenly something put an extra pressure on the window and it just “ripped along”. I am just guessing. I hope it won’t be too expensive to fix it.
It seems like a good time for you in Lockwood, Missouri, Jan, except for the shattered window. I hope you can have it repaired. I think your Christmas book will be fantastic
Thanks so much, Tim!
My pleasure, Jan! 😍
I’m glad your book event went well, but it’s awful that your car window was damaged! It doesn’t look like it was hit with anything because the shattering is completely uniform.
I’ve been wondering how Sally is doing as well.
Thank you, Liz. The shattered car window is a mystery to me. So strange. It’s almost pretty. 🙂 Almost.
You’re welcome, Jan.
Glad your trip was a success, Jan! That is weird with your window. Perfect angel card, I needed that one too. Xo
Thank you, Denise. I appreciate you stopping by!
I’ve heard of that happening to windows, but I’ve never experienced it. It rarely snows where we live, but once after a cold snap, I came out to my car to find a crack on 1/3 of the windshield. The really weird thing is that while I drove the truck later that day, the crack kept slowly growing until it made it across the entire windshield. Naturally, I had to replace it. Not cheap!
I’m reading your Christmas book right now, Jan. I’ll finish in the next day or two. Of course, I’ll leave a review.
Everyone has mentioned temperature change to explain the shattered window, but there has been no drastic changes of any kind. Just weird. I’m honored that you are reading the Christmas story, Pete. I truly appreciate it!
I saw a window do that once. Big Bronco was pulling a trailer. No way for anything to hit the rear hatch window, but the whole thing spiderwebbed. We didn’t hear it only discovered it after parking.
That’s exactly what happened, Craig, only I wasn’t pulling a trailer. 🙂 Just weird. Thank you for leaving a comment!
Oh no, so sorry about the car- that really sucks! But really excited to read your book as soon as I get a minute.
Thank you so much, Pooja! I hope you enjoy the Christmas story.
It sounds like a busy but good trip. I love doing those kind of book tours. Too bad about the car window. Perhaps a rock hit it driving through construction. Will your insurance not cover it? Cars can be a neccessary evil at times. Have agood week back home. xo
It was super busy, Darlene, but I really enjoyed it. About the car window…I too think something must have hit it. And I contacted the insurance company, but my deductible is more than the cost of replacing the glass, so it’s all out of pocket. I am getting it fixed Wednesday! Thank you so much for stopping by. For some reason, your comment was showing to be “pending” so I didn’t see it right away.
Hopefully that will be an inexpensive fix. It’s a small window? Glad the trip went well.
Hi, Jacqui. It is going to cost around $550 to replace. But it doesn’t matter. I have to do it. Thank you for stopping by!
Other than the window, I’m glad your trip went well. It’s nice to share your experience with children. If that window had had a small chip, bright sunshine could have caused that. Best of luck with the new book I like the trailer.
Thanks, Dan. Whatever caused the glass to shatter is a mystery to me but I am anxious to get it fixed. Appreciate you stopping by!!
Certainly busy meanderings, Jan, and congratulations on the book signings. Even if sales are down and what you made has to go on fixing the car window, at least you had a good opportunity to get out there and take your book to potential readers. As to the window, apparently extremes of weather can cause safety glass to shatter, and as I gather it’s hot in Missouri right now that could be it – although there needs to be a pre-existing weakness in the glass, so if you had even a tiny nick or stonechip that you weren’t aware of, that could be the cause. Lousy luck though; it’s like that pain/pleasure principle, or the ‘giving with one hand and taking away with the other’ effect. Whatever, I hope you get it fixed fast and good luck takes over again. 🙂
Thank you Laura. Whatever caused the glass to shatter is a mystery but I am anxious to get it replaced. I truly appreciate the opportunity to take my books out and about and really enjoyed talking with the children.
That’s really strange about the window, Jan. I guess the good thing is that it was still intact. Sounds like the book tour went well, but you’re also right about sales being down. I was at a bookstore signing with two other authors over the weekend, and it was the same for us.
Thank you, Teri. Yes, the window is still intact but I am really anxious to get it replaced. I keep hoping book sales will pick back up.
How strange about the window. My mother’s oven door glass broke twice … when the oven wasn’t on or hot. So odd that these things happen! Good post over at Bad Moon Rising today!
Hi Jan, this is a lovely post. Sorry about the window, it must have been a stone that hit at an unfortunate angle. At least you had a good time on your trip. I’ll get the book, it’s been a bit crazy with my mom again 💓
I’m so sorry to hear that your mom is having a hard time again, Robbie. I will keep you both in my thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to visit!
Hi, Jan! 🙋
Sounds like the book meeting was very successful, and I’m always so proud of you. I’ve watched the reel about your Christmas book, and you did well! Also, the picture of what you shared about trying to make a bad situation be in your favor is so relatable! 👍
I’m realy sorry to hear that the window suddenly broke. I hope that you get it sorted out soon. Also, sending my prayers to Sally, and I hope to hear good news about her.
Wishing you an awesome new week ahead! ☺️
Thank you so much, Aptivi! I truly appreciate your kind words and encouragement. I hope you have a great week ahead as well!
You’re most welcome, Jan! Thank you so much for your kind wishes! ☺️