Dear friends and readers, Well, that sure doesn’t look like a winter picture, but it’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. Summer. Walks on Hunt Hill Road. Wildflowers everywhere. Birds singing… But here in Geneseo we are in a deep freeze. It’s eight degrees out now – definitely not summer! Please stay safe and warm. What’s Been Happening It’s been almost two years since I’ve sent out a newsletter. Unforgiveable. I know. But maybe when you hear what we’ve been going through, you’ll throw some mercy my way?
You’ll probably remember that my dear wife, Dale, passed away in 2024. As a matter of fact, it was exactly two years ago on January 20th, 2024. I’m doing okay. I still feel her with me all day, every day, I’m comforted, rather than dest royed. Strange? I guess. but I feel her presence constantly, and it’s a good thing. And I know when it’s my time, I’ll be with her again. Unfortunately, since Dale’s passing, my daughter needed some major surgery. She lost three organs, and has been in the hospital a great deal ever since. We’re still trying to get to the bottom of her situation along with the seven specialists who are stymied by her incredibly complex issues. She and her sweet boys (11 and 9) still live with me, so we are in a good place to help each other and we make a great team. I thank God for them daily! More Stuff… If that wasn’t enough, my own darned body decided to go downhill. Fast. We’ve talked about my breathing issues in the past, due to interstitial lung disease. Of all the medical afflications I’m dealing with, that’s the worst one. It’s making me crazy! Frankly, I didn’t want to tell you about this. Which is partly why I haven’t written. I always tried to be positive and uplifting. But I’ve had a hard time pulling myself up by my proverbial bootstraps over the past year. No more gardening, walking, swimming, for me. I need oxygen 24/7 and am stuck indoors on a 50 foot oxygen hose. When I’m outside, I have to bring a heavy and largely inefficient portable oxygen device along and get “rides” into the doctors’ offices in a wheelchair. Are you picturing this? Gus LeGarde in a wheelchair? Sam Moore? Quinn Hollister? Boone Hawk? It’s insane and frankly, I hate it. But… I was able to get a new shoulder in September. Quite the procedure and still healing. Allison was a super nurse! I’m not a bionic man yet, but they say in another six months I may have really healed. We shall see! ;o) Counting my blessings…
I can still drive just fine, sit and cane antique chairs (my side business), and type on my laptop. I’m able to ride on my lawn tractor, and can’t wait for the spring so I can zoom around the property and mow the lawn. I can articulate and talk on the phone. I still take pictures of my best buddy, Biscuit. Lots of them, lol. And I can still cook. I made a Greek lemon chicken soup yesterday – it was delicious!
The highlight of the month is I’m expecting a scooter to be approved and when that’s accomplished – I’ll be free again! I can go for “walks” with Biscuit, take my grandsons on picnics, shop at Wegmans a little bit, etc. That freedom will be life changing! Okay, enough about some of the reasons I haven’t sent out a newsletter. But you know I also haven’t written a new book in several years, either. I lost the drive after 31 books, but I’m sensing that it might actually come back in the near future. I find myself imagining a few scenes here and there… We shall see! Writing Coach Meanwhile, I have been still helping authors with their books. As you know, I assist with editing, writing skills, dialog, plot, etc. And when we both think the book is polished and ready to be published, I help them get the formatting right and we let it loose on Amazon Direct Kindle Publishing. It’s been fun and it has satisfied my love of writing and fiction for a bit.
This year I worked with Robert Sells on his latest book, REAP THE WHIRLWIND. It’s an intriguing and timely novel. I had so much fun working with him. Here’s my honest review: Reap the Whirlwind by Robert Sells is a compelling novel that warns of potential danger by Artificial Intelligence to humanity. All too possible. All too scary. But within that overarching and very important theme is a marvelous story that draws you in until the very last page. I’m going to focus on the gripping storyline. Journalist Whit Emerson has a wonderful life – great friends, the respect of his peers, and more than enough money. But that changes when he notices security cameras tracking his every movement. Within twenty-four hours, Whit is fired from his job and his savings is depleted in an outrageous scam. Then his friends die, disappear or disown him. Within a week, he is accused of crimes he didn’t commit. Who has the power to access his accounts, put false “evidence” on his computer, and to create fake images of him to “prove” the outrageous charges against him? On the run, Whit is joined by a computer nerd, a rogue detective and a bank robber all hiding from the government for different reasons. While frantically evading every law enforcement agency in the country, they search for a legendary computer expert known only as Little Lion, who created a super computer for the military. When they find Little Lion, a serious threat to humanity is revealed. The unlikely team is determined to stop the nightmare scenario…if they survive. The writing flows: easy-to-read and well-crafted. The characters are unique, memorable, and believable. And the race across the USA to solve the mystery and save the world is guaranteed to get your heart pounding until the very last page. If you love adventure, suspense, convincing characters, and brilliant scene painting, I highly recommend Reap the Whirlwind. Check it out! Reap the Whirlwind . And if you buy it and enjoy it, please write a review for Rob! Good News!
Nattalia Nealls just contacted me about starting on the third book in her series! I thrilled that we’ll be working together again on the Rocky Mountain Trilogy. If you haven’t read them yet, please download a copy and be prepared to enjoy this unforgettable Rocky Mountain saga.
Let’s Keep in Touch (for a change ha!)
Here’s a recent photo of me with three of my grandkids and of course, the animals. L to R: Romeo, Bella, me, Biscuit, Joey, and Luke.
Let me know how you’re doing when you can. Please send your email to aaron.lazar@yahoo.com instead of replying to this note. You know I love hearing from you.
Bless you all,
Aaron Lazar
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