Three years ago I wanted to do something to help the authors who had helped me along my journey to publication and I came up with the idea of doing a blog where I would interview authors of fiction once a week.
I chose the questions I would ask them, if I had invited them to my house for a dinner party. I chose the questions I thought would be fun, the ones that intrigue me. Questions about creativity, imagination and dreams.
Three years later I am still not tired of it, it's still great fun and so rewarding. Three years later I was able to interview myself on Make-Believe Mondays just as my book was released.
Rob went inside to look for the ferry driver and came back out. “He’s too drunk to take anyone across tonight. He’s passed out. There are extra beds. We can settle with him in the morning.”
Sally settled Carolyn into the bunk nearest the fire. On the other side of the fireplace, the ferryman sat, tipped back in his chair, his jaw hanging open as he kept up a steady snore. The jug in his hand rested on his thigh, while his hat threatened to fall off his bobbing head.
“It’s stinky here, Mama,” Carolyn said.
“Yes, sunshine, I know.” Sally’s nose twitched. “Roll onto your side facing the other way and it won’t be so bad.” She smoothed Carolyn’s hair. “Go on to sleep.”
Soon her daughter was sleeping soundly. Moss and Rob had settled the animals for the night and stoked the fire, and Sally slid into bed beside Carolyn. Rob and Moss took the bunk against the wall, Moss still muttering under his breath about his wagon and being charged for a full team he didn’t even have.
“Hell, old man. I’d pay you just to shut up,” Rob said. “First sunlight I aim to be up and crossing that river.”
The room fell silent and Sally curled onto her side away from the men with a smile as she hugged Carolyn close.
The next morning, Sally had just fixed the coffee and was starting the bacon when the ferryman woke.
“Well, damn my eyes if it ain’t an angel come to save me,” the man roared as he stood with a lurch.
Sally jumped and took a step back.
“Ain’t you the purtiest thing,” he said with a leer.
She smiled nervously, not wanting to anger him.
Rob chose that moment to enter the store. “Morning. It’s about time you were awake. Name’s Rob.”
“Fletcher, but you can call me Fletch.”
“We need to buy passage across the river.”
The ferryman’s gaze drifted back toward Sally. “Cain’t take you across.” He shook his head. “Not for another two weeks.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Water’s running too high.” Fletch stepped behind Sally. “That bacon sure does smell good.” He peered over her shoulder. “You smell mighty good too.”
“That’s it.” Rob’s voice hardened.
Sally heard the cock of a gun and turned.
Rob stood with his gun pressed to Fletcher’s head.
“I think you’ll be taking us across. You’ll be taking us across today.” He jerked his head. “Sally, get your things.”
“Ye heard the man,” Moss argued. “That water is too fast, too high.”
“We’re going now.” His tone brooked no argument.
“Ain’t we goin’ ter eat first?” Moss persisted.
“Lost my appetite.” Rob’s jaw clenched and he nudged Fletch with his gun. “Now move.”
Sally watched Rob force the ferryman out the door and her hands shook as she gathered their things. “Carolyn, you stay away from those men and do as I tell you.”
“Yes, Mama.”
Even her bubbly daughter was subdued by the force Rob had brought into the store. And just when she’d begun to relax around him.
But he was no better than Luke. He was just another man who would use force to get what he wanted. And men like that were dangerous.
Sally reached for Carolyn’s hand while they silently watched the men load the ferry. Rob stood atop the bank with his hand on his gun as Moss began to coax the mules up the dock and onto the ferry.
“You better pay me double like you said,” Fletcher shouted to Rob.
The coolness and steel in Rob’s reply made Sally shiver. “You’ll get your money when we’re on the other side.”
“Stupid cowboys,” Fletch muttered with a frown. “Water’s too high.”
Rob’s expression did not change, yet Sally knew he’d heard the man.
“Get them mules on up in front, just them two,” Fletcher directed Moss, as he squinted against the sun. “Get ’em up on that hitching post.”
Moss hitched the first two with a grumble.
“Now them other two in the middle.” Fletcher frowned. “And keep them calm. I don’t want no animals giving me trouble.”
“Don’t ye worry none about my mules.” Moss hitched the other two. “I know my business good as you know yourn.”
Rob led his horse up the ramp next. As Moss took the reigns from him he said, “I hope like hell you know what you’re doing.”
Rob merely grunted.
Finally Fletcher called to Sally, “Come on, little lady, you get on over here by me.” He held out his hand to her.
Though Rob’s eyes narrowed, he said nothing, just continued to stand with his hand on his gun as he watched them.
Sally lifted Carolyn up to Moss and reached for Fletcher’s hand. Though he was behaving like a gentleman now, his bloodshot eyes took her in. “That’s it,” he said as he helped her onto the ferry, his sour-whiskey breath making her wish she could hold her nose. His hand was raspy, rough and strong.
She waited till he turned away to push off from the bank to wipe her hand on her dress.
The ferryman grabbed a pole and gave a shove off the bank.
Moss squinted at him when he turned back around. “I ’spose ye expect me to hep ye.”
“One of you has to. I let my men off for two weeks till this river is ready to cross, and they’ll be at the nearest saloon till I send for them.”
They both glanced at Rob who stood by his horse, his right hand never far from his gun. He’d just displayed how fast he was with it.
“It’s gonna be hell to get this ferry back across the river by myself.” Fletcher grabbed the rope and began walking hand over hand down the length of the ferry.
Though the ride was smooth at first, Sally eyed the rushing waters into the middle of the river and wondered what would happen when they reached it. From the glances of the men, they were wondering the same thing. This did not reassure her.
Carolyn stood with Sally in the middle where it was most stable. She bounced up and down with excitement.
Sally gripped Carolyn’s shoulders. “Stand still.”
“Ma’am, you got to control your child,” Fletcher said as he continued working the ropes.
Sally looked down at the cold, dark, swiftly flowing water, remembering with a shiver of panic that neither she nor Carolyn could swim.
“Carolyn, sit down.”
Her daughter obeyed and Sally looked for something to hold onto. The ferry didn’t feel so sturdy as it began to creak and shift with the water becoming steadily rougher. Sally’s knees shook as her thoughts ran with the dark and dangerous river. The creaking grew louder as the mules shuffled and shifted their hooves.
The whites of their eyes rolled in fear when the boards of the ferry began to moan and groan. They didn’t like this raft any more than she did. She briefly touched the brooch at her neck and reached out to balance herself against a mule.
“I told you this river was too fast,” Fletch growled at Rob as the creaking and groaning grew louder and the river shook the ferry.
They were three quarters of the way across and the ropes were straining as Fletcher and Moss strained to pull them across.
Crack!
The rear guide post holding the guide ropes snapped in two.
“Son of a bitch!” Fletcher dropped to the floor of the ferry, holding on, just as the ferry flipped around, lurching and twisting as if it were playing crack the whip.
Carolyn and Sally screamed.
“Damn it! Sally, hold on!” Rob shouted.
The mules brayed and his horse whinnied. The horse and mules struggled against their ropes and the strain snapped the hitching post in half. One mule jumped off into the water, making the ferry tip even more.
“Dang nab it, Critter!” Moss turned and shouted.
His favorite mule was swimming toward shore with all the gear on its back while a second mule followed. At the same time, a third fell onto its hindquarters braying and Moss caught hold of it, fighting to get it under control. The fourth kicked back and Rob’s horse, which had been dancing in fear, fell into the water along with the fourth mule. The commotion tipped the ferry, flinging them all into the water, except for Fletcher who clung to the one remaining pole, cursing all the while.
“Mama!” Carolyn screamed as she was flung from Sally’s arms.
“Carolyn!” Sally shouted. Raw panic seized her as the current carried Sally downstream in the opposite direction.
I am fascinated by clouds and can watch them for hours.....
Unconditional love, kindness, playfulness, creativity, honesty, a good sense of humor, and a great smile,
hugs
wiggling my toes in the sand and letting the waves wash over them,
chocolate dipped strawberries,
the sound of the wind in the trees as the leaves dance
I love to dance. Dance is freedom, expression, joy
***********************
"One cannot be both speaking and listening at the same time.
I must be silent that I might listen.
To listen is not to be thinking of the reply, the explanation, the argument, the question, but to be taking the words in to ponder, to consider.
This is the only way to truly hear the words of another." - Debra Parmley
TURN OFF'S
Violence, anger, disrespect, intolerance.
ABOUT ME
I am so excited that my first book, A Desperate Journey, has just come out from Samhain Publishing!
This has been my dream for such a long time, to be able to share my stories with the world.
The book is available in eBook form. The print release is March 21, 2009.
I closed my travel agency at the end of 2007 to write full time and follow my dreams.
Below is a short description of my book.
***************
A Desperate Journey by Debra Parmley
Western Historical Romance
ISBN: 1-60504-074-6
Sometimes a journey of the heart is the most dangerous journey of all.
Sally Wheeler learned the hard way that men aren't always what they seem. Now she will stop at nothing to track down the bigamist husband who stole her child and abandoned her on their failing Kansas farm. Even if it means traveling with a handsome maverick who could change her mind about men.
Free after spending seven years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Rob Truman aims to balance the scales of justice on the man who sent him there,Luke Wheeler. His quest doesn't include falling for the one woman who will lead him to his quarry, but Sally's courage in the face of her fear touches his soul.
Through dangerous days and nights on the trail, neither Sally nor Rob can ignore their growing feelings for each other. Yet both are haunted by the poor judgment that, in the past, led them down the wrong road. Love and trust are luxuries neither of them can afford.
But as the bullets start flying, love may be all that saves them and Sally's son.
***************
Please visit my website
www.debraparmley.com
Sending you the pic of physical metal divine product,Special Indian Babaji Yantra which I have made with guidance of the Immortal Himalayan Ascended Master,Mahavatar Babaji,which brings Success,Prosperity,Peace and many Good things.
I ship this worldwide at 50 US Dollars + Shipping,the entire proceeds ofwhich goes to my Non Profit Org.You can read more about Babaji and the Yantrabenefits at my profile page.
I channel the Immortal Himalayan Master,Mahavatar Babaji and help people solve any kind of problem,with Sri Babajis Guidance,in each and every case,through a Special Divine method called as MindScope.
Pls let me know if I can be of any Service to you from India anytime.
No need to worry Debra. It's virtual ultra healthy, organic home made chicken soup so there are no nasties in there!
Enjoy
Eileen xxx
DebraP wrote:
Thank you. Mammy
I imagined all but the chicken soup. A friend of mine chewed me out for having soup last night. Apparently the sodium content makes it one of the worst things I could have had. I guess I need to find a new comfort.
Hmm...maybe it could be ice-cream? lol
Thanks for giving me something to smile about.
Namaste
Debra
Mammy wrote:
Hey Debra
Sorry to hear you're not well.
If I knew how I'd send you a virtual bunch of grapes and a bouquet of flowers and some chicken soup and a jigsaw puzzle
You'll just have to imagine that I did and that the thought really does count for something
Jason, the founder of Jason's Network is one of the kindest, most generous, loving men I have ever met.
I don't know of any other network where the founder goes beyond a form letter hello. Where a person who knows nothing about HTML and making clickable links not only has her emails answered, but he goes so far as to put the links in for her when she can't figure it out! (Yes, I am somewhat tech challenged.) On any other site a person can get lost. Not here. When I was quiet and slow to put things up and being shy, Jason was checking on me! Because he cares.
And when my first novel was released as an eBook Jason was the first one to say let's get the word out! His support and encouragement mean so much to me. He goes beyond saying to doing. And he is always doing something new to promote our members and to encourage and mentor. Jason sets the tone and provides the guidance for a network which drawws other authenic caring people to form a community which cares for and supports eaach other.
Jason's Network is a place where love is not just a word but an action. Jason's network is a place where love lives. Here at Jason's Network the people are real and you can share the things that are in your heart and say exactly what you feel.
Thank you, Jason
Love and Light
Debra
Hey Debra!! Bless your heart for sharing such a beautiful testimonial. It's been a major treat having you here and I look forward to doing my part in making www.debraparmley.com a household name. Much love, Jason
I very much enjoyed looking through your pictures today. The one of the castle reminded me of a dream I had a long time ago that seemed so real. I was in the water looking up at a castle that looked very much like the one in your photo. I also love the clouds.
It has been some time between talking and I 'know' all is well with You, just wanted to let You know You were in my thoughts. Peace and Blessings, John
I am still new here, testing my legs so to speak. I would be honored if you will add me as your friend.
I am an Advanced EFT Practitioner I work out of the box using Intuition, Angels and Meditation and the Power of Intention combined with EFT to great success, to help heal and transform lives. A place where even the Healer comes to get Healed, it's always harder to heal yourself.
Thank you for adding me as a friend. I look forward to networking with you in the near future. Let me know if I can assist you in genertaing more traffic and/or clients. Have an awesome day and may you be blessed beyond measure.
Successfully, Jeff Faldalen
PS come join me on twitter, username: jefffaldalen
Thank you so much for adding me to your circle of friends and welcome to mine! I look forward to exchanging ideas with you and to a positive networking relationship.
Please stay well and stay in touch.
Here’s to your health, spiritual and financial abundance!
Thank you so much for the comment and for your support! I love that weekly I'm finding more and more powerful women that have been or are on the same journey that I am. Thanks again!
Debra, long time no talk wanted to say Hi, and tell You about a slide show I found on line at "pixiesplace.com/trainride" check it out and share it with the world, Peace and blessings, John
