Comfort Chaos

Several of the sites I write on (ie: Blog) feel more open to a general public review. For whatever reason, this blog feels different...somehow more personal. I have posted the blog below on several sites tonight but felt that I wanted to make it a little more meaningful here. So here goes....

It's difficult to see a loved one leave. I have one son who just landed in the Middle East on his second deployment a few days ago. I have a daughter who will be someone's wife on Saturday. My baby leaves for college not long after that. In the middle of all of these plans, my daughter-in-law arrived with both children. What a wonderful reminder of the circle of life that surrounds us all. As some leave, others arrive. Yesterday's activities are stashed away as precious memories while todays events are relished. All of this blends together into one big chaotic series of experiences we call life. And so it was for me tonight....

My house has been chaotic for the past several weeks. Only six days remain until my daughter is married, five days remain until my son and his family arrive from Denver, four days remain until Wendy is here, three days until the last of the food preparation is planned, two days until I get to go to the gym and one day until work starts again. People are bustling and blowing through here like a torrential flurry of fall leaves on a blustery October evening. I'm not keeping up....but I'm loving it all.

Tonight, my grandson climbed onto my lap, laid his head in the crook of my arm and fell asleep. The chaos circlied us like sharks in a frenzy...but we stayed still, peaceful in the midst of it all as I rocked him to sleep. This moment was mine as I memorized his sweet slumbering face.

The moon just waned and chaos followed, as it should. There is bliss in this kind of chaos and I'm glad for it.

Have a very happy, chaotic week!

Marti

This evening, I was reminded by my very brilliant daughter-in-law that I needed to become a little more computer savvy and "post something!" What else would I write about except Barataria?


Barataria was an amazing adventure from the moment we boarded the plane (and Wendy had our stewardess convinced she needed to serve up free beverages to her and Sue), landed in St. Louis, found out my luggage was damaged (and Wendy charged to the service desk in her high heels to remedy the situation - something everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime!), picked up our rented Cube, travelled south a generous 2 hrs beyond the pre-determined 3.5 hrs. to our destination, arrived in Springfield and then got lost....over and over and over again...as we drove to Central Square where the Barataria Faire was held.


We were greeted warmly by crew and cast of the Faire and soon made to feel a part of this amazing group of people gathered to celebrate for the weekend. Song, dance and performance permeated the entire weekend, overshadowing the 100+ temperature and matching humidity. It wasn't long before (motorized fan - squirt bottle in hand) I found myself joining with pirates, faeries, gypsies and (did I say?) PIRATES in "makin' merry", as the scallywags were wont to say. Books were signed, contacts made and friendships created as I associated with the community of Springfield, Missouri. What an honor for me!


Thank you for your hospitality, warmth and wonderful memories from the Barataria Faire. Please take a peek at the photos posted on the Gallery from the Barataria Faire.


Brethrencon is next! (ready or not.....) September 18th in Aurora, Colorado.

Book Review - by Amanda Felion

While reading Midnight Omen Deja Vu by Marti Melville, I couldn’t help but crave the sea. So I took Midnight Omen to the beach, planted myself in the sand with the salty sea smell in the air and the waves in the background and read. Marti took me on a journey from a busy Emergency Room where Katherine worked as an RN, to the middle of the sea onboard the pirate ship, Revenge, with a bunch of yuck mouthed pirates and the emerald eyed Captain John Phillips, where Kathryn had been taken in a previous life for her magical healing abilities. The moment Kathryn set foot on the Revenge, I was onboard that ship with her. From there Kathryn learned more about her abilities, how to use them and how to survive onboard the ship with the pirates. Kathryn is in for a journey that takes her from fear of the pirates to caring for them and wanting to take care of them, and even falling for Captain Phillips. When I finished the last page I looked out over the ocean and expected to see a large ship with the Revenge’s flag blowing on the horizon.

I can’t wait to return to the sea and find out where Marti takes me next!

Full Moon

Last night the moon shone full, brightly illuminating the clear starlit sky. It was fabulous! My son, Brett pulled me outside to look at it and I was in awe.

Night is such an amazing time. There is mystery and anticipation surrounding the midnight moon. Full and bright, the promise of good things to come. A good omen, if you will.

Tonight, take a moment and appreciate the full moon. Feel its energy drizzle down over you in the darkness. Allow your heart to swell at the promise of good things to come. Bask in its joy.

I will. I'll be out there tonight, joining you so think of me...

News - WOW!

Well, it's the eve before the "Official Public Release" of Midnight Omen Deja vu and I am swimming with emotions. There should be nothing but uninhibited elation tonight, thinking about the novel being placed in stores all over the US and Canada effective tomorrow. Such news!

Yet, tonight I have been flooded with emails from people I do not know speaking of the "evils" of the publishing company I've contracted with. Yikes! There is a maelstrom taking shape in the pit of my stomach. Could these rumors just be the usual disparaging contacts that seem to appear before success comes to visit? Or are the rumors true?

I have to go back to the reason I wrote Midnight Omen Deja vu and remember why it was so important to get the story in my head onto paper. Really, it is because I love pirates and the Caribbean and the romantic notion that surrounds that era (although I know these are only notions and the pirates were really bad guys!). Still, it's alot like playing "cowboys and indians" (or GI Joe and Princesses, as it was in my house with five little kids underfoot) as an adult. I still imagine in this 51 year old brain, still think of mystical things as I stare at an ethereal moon, still love a good story.

So, on the eve of the public release of my story, I am happy to hold in my hand a story that was once only in my head not too many years ago. I hope this novel will bring you many hours of blissful imaginative escape...as it was meant to do.

Happy reading and enjoy Midnight Omen Deja vu.

Marti

Ahhh - To Be Humbled By a Virus

It's been a battle for the past 48 hours. I surrender! There is no doubt that today I have some type of virus who has become the victor over my physical well-being.

Dinner was a fabulous turkey sandwich which Brett made for us both. Excellent! We were discussing languages and the "gift of tongues". He has that gift, something (after four full years of University studies in German) I cannot master. Our conversation lead into discussion of the written word, then merged to feeling an obligation to stay busy (my issue entirely as Brett is so laid back). I guess it took this conversation with my easy-going son for me to realize, it's okay to take it easy once-in-a-while, particularly on sick days.

So, the white flag is raised and I'm headed back to bed!

Happy Tuesday to you all!
Marti

And now...we return

Alas, our Sun Valley trip is over. Such a sad time, the end of that week, to have it end...such wonderful memories are created. I think each year it gets better, perhaps more polished as we "learn" how to vacation together, all fifty-five of us Melvilles.

It was the best having Rich and Brett there finally after so many years. Jeff and his family were absent, the vacancy felt by all. Maybe next year or in two when Jeff returns from this newest deployment. Abby was a new addition to the festivities, although she did not have the highest number on the T-shirts. (We are all issued T-shirts every year with a new logo on the front or back and our place in the family represented by a number displayed somewhere else on the shirt. The number represents the order in which we entered the family). I am number three. Tom is fifty-five which is the highest, although not for long as I learned we have two new babies arriving sometime this year.

Dad asked his daughters what our thoughts were post reunion. Mine are simply that it was THE BEST! Thanks again Mom & Dad for a wonderful trip! I am already anticipating next year.

Marti