Modern love, gold fish and megabytes

I thought I'd pass on a wonderful piece written in this Sunday's  New York Times, Modern Love commentaries. "Just One Swirl Around the Bowl" (Dan Barry) tells the tale of a a young daughter's dying gold fish and heart wrenching life parallels. It's worth the read so am sharing with you today.

In the same section of the Times was another piece of a totally different nature. The author, like me, is someone who seems to have been left behind in the increasingly swift changes experienced in the world of technology. Check out, Michael Winerip's "Aging by Megabyte" in Sunday's Times (Generation B) for a perspective on technology and its impact on every day life. It's true I e-mail and blog, but my wife sets it up and I do, what for me, is the easy part–write. Will all of our books be on Kindle in the future? Look what's happened to newspapers. If you don't know what Kindle is, join me in"aging by megabyte!"

Book news...

It's official...

Today I completed a transaction to buy back the rights for my book, Cooler Near the Lake, from its publisher, Tony Dierckins of X-Communications of Duluth. 

Tony and his small local publishing house helped launch the idea of a book and got this all going. I guess I've been a bit shy about putting together a book all these years and if it weren't for Tony, the book wouldn't have happened. And... also because of people such as Pat Daugherty and others who kept asking me when was I going to do a collection of my columns, I was encouraged. So thanks to Tony, Pat and the rest of you who encouraged me in this big undertaking. Your support has been very much appreciated.

It's been fun to do a book... but lots of work. My wife and I teamed up to perform the many tasks needed to put together this book and now realize the labor intensity of such a process, even for a book of pre-published material.

The book did very well for its first run this past holiday season. So thanks to all who purchased the book or gave it away as a gift. It's been nice also to hear from so many of you who have told me how you've enjoyed reading it. Half of the fun of writing is knowing that there is someone out there who enjoys reading what I write. 

Despite a very nice first run at the book sellers this past holiday season, there are still many books remaining to be sold. So... spread the word and tell your friends, Cooler Near the Lake is a good book to read and give as a gift. And... contact me here at this blog to buy the book or purchase it at your favorite local bookseller.

I guess that means that there will be some "book selling" on this blog. But don't be disheartened as the blog really places focus on current writings.  The blog began as a way to get the word out about the book but now it's become a venue for me to write regularly, something I enjoy doing.

Thanks again for reading what I write.