Super Powers and grand kids

In the cauldron of a volcano...

I love my grandkids. I adore them. They fascinate me to no end. They remind me of the way I was, and the reasons why I am the person I've become.

They see things clearly, without prejudice. They are unique in word choice and language. They like it when I tease them.

They know how to fix my tablet and phone when things go wrong.

After our home burglary last spring, my husband and I decided to use the insurance money to buy something the thieves couldn't come back and steal.

I now have a brand new fancy hot tub on my deck, complete with a lounger chair, speakers, a smart-phone connection and an entire menu for lighting selection.

Being a crime writer, I was grossed out when the the red light flooded the tub and oozed out of the controls and speakers. I felt I was in a churning pool of blood.

"No, Nana!" the nine-year old said. "It's lava! Turn on the jets and it's a volcano.  See? Now, we must call on our super powers to survive the eruption!"

I now sometimes choose the red light setting when I'm out there alone under the stars. The lava churns about me as I contemplate my super powers.

"Super Powers..." is brought to you by The BackTracker series

At thirteen she falls in with The Traz bikers. At fifteen her testimony brings down the gang. Her genius, beauty and wealth eventually make her a very powerful woman--but Katrina will forever be in danger.

Eileen Schuh, Author 
FIREWALLS
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ
Web site: http://www.eileenschuh.com
Blog: http://eileenschuh.blogspot.com

What a difference a year makes…

My last Thanksgiving post was all about looking forward. We announced we had a new grandchild on the way. We didn’t know it then, but that baby would be our first granddaughter. She arrived healthy and happy as the Mothers’ Day 2012 sun rose.

At the 2011 Thanksgiving dinner table, I was excited about having self-published THE TRAZ (my debut novel). As well, we toasted the release of my SciFi novella, SCHRODINGER’S CAT. The weather was warm, family and friends were around, and things were good.

Thanksgiving 2012 will be much different. Although, we eagerly anticipate the November arrival of our fourth grandchild, I’ll be doing more looking back, than looking forward. The weather is cloudy and cold. I have no turkey in my freezer, no plans to dine with family and friends. No invitations have been sent.

The summer of 2012 stole two great women from my life. Both my mother and mother-in-law passed within weeks of each other. Those empty places are still painfully empty, continually swallowing my ability to be social, to concentrate, to plan. To anticipate. To smile.

Yes, 2012 brought sorrows about which I never dreamed while sitting at that Thanksgiving table twelve months ago. However, it also fulfilled dreams—like the birth of my first granddaughter. And presented unexpected things—like a Imajin Books buying the publishing rights to both my self-published novel THETRAZ and its sequel (FATAL ERROR).

I cannot and will not say I’m not thankful this Thanksgiving, for I am. I’m very thankful for family and friends and the community that supported us throughout the sad summer. I’m thankful for the wonderfully warm September that allowed us to enjoy the outdoors, despite having lost our summer to grieving. I’m thankful that FATAL ERROR is at the proofers and will soon be on bookshelves and Kindles around the world.

No, it’s not that I’m not thankful, but more like I’m putting my joyous thoughts on hold for while—just a while…until I’m ready.

Perhaps come Monday, from somewhere a turkey will appear, roasting in the oven at the cabin. Maybe a glazed yam or two. A bouquet. Perhaps friends will gather. Perhaps…

Eileen Schuh,
Canadian Author

THE TRAZ eBook only $2.99 Paperback $9.99

SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT eBook only $2.99  Paperback $7.95

www.eileenschuh.com