The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Welcome to this issue of our newsletter. If you’re new to this madness, many of my readers suggested Kay and I practice a rather interesting lifestyle and asked that I share some of it. Your wish is my command!
Yes, we’ve sold our motorhome, our only home for the past few years. As I mentioned in an early article, we bought a townhouse in the Southeastern Minnesota city of Rochester, home of the world-renown Mayo Medical Center (we call it “the mothership”), and we’re doing what we came here to do.
Since January 2025, we’ve spent a good deal of time at doctors’ appointments, in operating rooms, and hospital rooms, preparing for and completing numerous surgical procedures, not to mention recovering from them. Kay had a shoulder and one knee replaced in 2025, and her other knee replaced, along with no fewer than four spinal surgeries since February of this year. I’ve had cataracts removed and LenStar implants in both eyes.
It’s been a mighty intense 21 months (so far) for both patient and caregiver. Now, however, we hope to have all that behind us, other than continuing to recover, of course, which has impacted us not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well. Still is. We now look forward to no new or existing personal or family health issues in the near future. But at this age, well….
Stylin’ with the Jeep (all dressed up for our grandson’s wedding for which we were actually here!
We’ve settled into our Minnesota townhouse.
So what’s the same, now that we’re living in a house instead of a bus? Short-duration trips by car and hotel, the ongoing arduous recovery process notwithstanding.
Last summer we made two lengthy (miles-wise) trips with our Jeep, one east to witness our granddaughter Ionee graduate from Michigan State University. We then ventured in the opposite direction a few weeks later to South Dakota’s Black Hills and on to North Dakota’s Badlands (Teddy Roosevelt National Park).
The park model we’ll be renting this winter at the Voyager RV Resort just south of Tucson
After Christmas this year, we’ll visit friends in Albuquerque, NM, and then on to Tucson, AZ to stay in our favorite RV resort, The Voyager (https://voyagerrv.com), for three months.
But instead of living in our 43-foot bus, we’re renting a “park model” (small mobile home). While there, we’re planning a side trip to Southern California to visit the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and possibly Disneyland. If the entire state isn’t engulfed in fire, or earthquakes haven’t swallowed up our intended destinations.
Then in April next year, after we leave Tucson, we’ll visit friends or relatives in Las Cruces, NM, Georgetown, TX, Fort Smith, AR, and Fairfield, IA. Then back to MN. Kay has us staying put for a couple of months before we once again head east (in the ole Jeep) to Mackinaw Island, then to visit my sister in the Cleveland area, a dear friend in Bay City, MI where we lived for four years while I was in the US Coast Guard, and finally a few weeks in Washington, D.C., where we hope to seriously haunt the Smithsonian Museum.
Next fall (2027)? Back to Tucson for the winter. Fall of 2028? Maybe Florida for a month or two.
So, even though we no longer own a motorhome, wanderlust has not entirely eluded us (Kay, especially).
I hope to be invited back to the Tucson Festival of Books again in 2027 after a successful appearance in March 2025. This is the second largest such festival in the United States, and convenes on the University of Arizona campus each March for a crazy long weekend! This is my favorite speaking engagement and book-signing event.
Between now and the time we leave for the winter, I continue to record audiobook editions of my published titles to make them available once edited and produced.
Yes, our dance card is indeed full. We feel so fortunate to still be able to stay this active. Kay continues to be an extraordinary travel planner!
Kay is looking forward to playing Bocce Ball once again, and I’ll finish the construction of a couple of ambitious Native American style flute projects, and I look forward to once more performing at flute circles. I’m hoping to also continue my study of Spanish and re-join the wonderful writing group at The Voyager.
I continue to write and draw and paint, of course, with a new novel and a personal memoir both published this year. That brings my total to 21 titles, although the two oldest are now out of print.
One of my newer passions in the last few years is moving meditation through the practice of Tai Chi. Some consider this an ancient Chinese physical art form. This is in addition to our on/off-again practice of TM (Transcendental Meditation). I won’t bore you with that here, but Tai Chi keeps my joints flexible and the ole body a few years younger than its chronological age. If you’re curious about Tai Chi, click HERE to see the style I’m currently studying.
Now, back to visual art, what do you think of my semi-abstract watercolor portrayal of a rabbit in the wild (16″x19″ on Arches cold-press 140-pound paper)? Attribution to British watercolorist Jean Haines for her brilliant reference photo:
“Bad Hare Day”
Being commissioned this Fall by successful author, Ella Dominguez to create a handful of original drawings for a special edition of her new epic dark romantasy (romantic fantasy), Born of Fire, was wonderful validation that my work isn’t totally a solitary therapeutic exercise.
Everydetail in these drawings, including their overall “gritty supernatural vibe” represents a story detail, even the white spots on the protagonist’s skin (vitiligo), both before and after she transmogrifies into a dragon. Not my usual cuppa, but hey, this was a fascinating diversion. And Ella is an amazing author.
Wild, huh? I’ll let the drawings speak for themselves:
I’ve included a more complete ‘gallery’ of my humble artistic efforts over the years within the Art Works tab on this site. Visit if you dare.
Likewise, the poet in me cannot be silenced, it seems. I awoke the other day before the sun exposed herself, suddenly mindful of my age (damn-near 77), and rushed to my MacBook, just in time. The following four quatrains gushed out onto my digital page.
Without much effort and very little revision (surprisingly), I gave birth to this irregular dactylic tetrameter with some lines ending in irreverent spondees as a nod to all you intrepid seekers of slant rhymes, lumpy rhythm, amorous alliteration, insidious assonance, and other boisterous sound devices, not to mention engendered personification and circuitous metaphors that hint at not-so-subtle symbolism. But you shouldn’t have to care about any of that. Just read it.
But if you are curious about this ridiculous lexicon that precisely describes poetic verse, check out my book, The Poetic Detective. It can be yours for just three bucks. By the way, this little book is as a result of a challenge levied by an acquaintance who is a best-selling author. He said to me, “I dare you to write a really good book that nobody will buy.” This is that book! And people who buy it seem to like it.
So, what of this verse, y’all? Too… “on the nose”?
TIME—A MERCILESS MISTRESS
by GK Jurrens
Artist: anonymous
She surges forward as if imploding with impatience To taunt us with clues to her infuriating complaisance. Creases and folds in her fabric, she wears the hint of her hidden and tantalizing fare.
There is no hope of seducing her with trickery. Not even beliefs born of a dogmatic delivery can tempt her to show more than she’s daringly willing, not even when you offer her a bucket full of shillings.
Her agenda is clear for we slaves of her bidding, as we bow to her whims even though we’re unwilling. It’s not for us to peek down her gown or up her hem. She remains a delicious mystery to her unwilling condemned.
So, we forge into unknowns, we acolytes dismissed, expecting an eternity, but receiving daily gifts. We who devour each morsel with gritty gratitude cherish our affair with this mistress, so very shrewd.
Hey, just a quick final reminder. If you read any of my stuff (or that of any other author, for that matter), remember, authors live or die by reviews, especially these days with all the online stores (like Amazon).
No reviews means either readers didn’t react at all to our work (I shudder at that heinous notion), or worse, they just couldn’t be bothered to take a few minutes to write a brief reaction to the work we creative types slave over for you.
So… please bother to be bothered? Write a short (or long) review. If you’re wondering “where do I write a book review?” here are a simple set of steps to do so. This works for any book you might read:
To leave a review directly on Amazon, here are the steps:
Bring up Amazon.com in a browser on your computer (easier than on a phone)
In the search field near the top of the window, type your author’s name and the title of the book (e.g., gk jurrens trouble with thinking) and hit enter.
Click on the book’s cover image to bring up its sales page.
Scroll down that page (quite a ways) until you see Customer reviews.
Below that, you’ll see Write a customer review. Click on that.
Type in your review of the book
In the window entitled What should other customers know, type your review (1-2 short paragraphs should serve well)
In the window below that, provide a few short words to title your review
Re-read your review and title to ensure no typos and then click on the yellow Submit button.
If this doesn’t work for you, email your author directly. They’ll appreciate it, I promise. My email is gjurrens@gkjurrens.com if you want to email me any comments. Thanks in advance.
So that’s where to write a review. If you’re still not quite sure howto write a review, click HEREfor some additional guidance if you need it. Hey! I’m here to help you help out your favorite author!
Available for a limited time, why not pre-order right now for your next read in three days, but also to enter a high-probability drawing for a free audiobook, a $15 value. Just click HERE NOW!
That’s it, y’all! Let Tom and me know what you thought, okay? And score your deal TODAY, including a chance to win the audiobook edition of Lethal Game, the book that launched the Sam Travis’ Adventures (a $14.95 value). Order your copy of Lethal Bounty NOW!
Kay and I have thrown ourselves into one adventure after another this summer.
We’ve accumulated a TON of great memories (and photos and experiences) to show for it!
Here’s some scroll bait for y’all.
In this lifestyle issue:
New Sam Travis Adventure Released
More Sam Travis Adventures Coming!
Another Aubrey Greigh Mystery Coming, Too
Experiencing the West Coast in Full Measure
Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB)?
Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend
1. New Sam Travis Adventure Released
Lieutenant Tom Kasprzak (retired)—my writing partner—and I released our latest Sam Travis Adventure in July, as promised. Like Lethal Game and all our Sam Travis Adventures, Lethal Trailis based on a true story.
Here’s what early readers are saying about this exciting story from one Tom’s (LT’s) many cases during his law enforcement career:
“The characters are nicely developed, especially theantagonists. I really loathe them.”
“I truly enjoyed the side story about the black bear in the tree and its relocation.”
And if you haven’t checked out Book One of our Sam Travis series, clickHERE.
By the way, if you haven’t yet been introduced to my friend, Tom, a.k.a. LT, he retired from the Massachusetts State Environmental Police Force after a storied thirty-two-year career. He operated from the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in Western Massachusetts to Boston in the east.
LT worked or supervised undercover operations for nine years, was embedded with international game poachers who were killing wildlife en masse, led teams on marine law enforcement, trained in counterterrorism with the US Coast Guard (District 1, Boston), and is a decorated sharpshooter (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, where he trained extensively with federal agents from multiple agencies). National Geographic even broadcast a TV documentary in 1991 about LT and his crew, and how they took down a major illegal international wildlife poaching operation: “Wildlife Wars USA: Black Bears Under Siege,” narrated by Peter Coyote.
All of our Sam Travis stories are based on LT’s actual cases, and are about as authentic crime fiction as you’ll find anywhere—plausible and engaging, even to other law enforcement professionals. We’ve also published Lethal Game as an audiobook in addition to its ebook and paperback editions. We’re planning audiobook editions for all the Sam Travis adventures eventually.
No matter your favored genre, you’re sure to enjoy the hell out of these fast-paced stories populated with an imperfect but passionate cast of quirky characters!
2. More Adventures!
So, what’s next for Sam Travis fans? Next month on September 15th we’ll release Lethal Bounty, Sam’s most exciting adventure yet. You won’t believe this page turner is based on another of LT’s actual cases from his time as an EPO (Environmental Police Officer) in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
This hair-raising story’s ebook (“Kindle edition”) will be available for pre-order by August 23rd (the Great Pumpkin willing – yeah, that’s a metaphor, kids). That means you’ll be able to order Lethal Bounty on 8/23, take advantage of an introductory pricing offer, and it will automatically be delivered to all your smart devices automatically on 9/15. Cool, huh?
Is that it? Nope.
We hope to make the fourth Sam Travis Adventure available early next year. Below is an early draft of artwork for the book’s cover. What do you think? Is it… catchy?
3. Another Aubrey Greigh Mystery Coming Too!
In even more book news, if you follow my antics, you know I’ve published two books in my Aubrey Greigh Mystery series: Voodoo Vendetta and Dancing With Death. I’ll be targeting the release of my third Aubrey Greigh Mystery later this Winter. Right now, I’m entitling it, Rogue’s Gallery – Beyond Evidence.
Few of the characters in this tale are who or what they seem, and most are, well, less than respectable. The title seemed fitting. Take a look at the story’s premise (story concept):
***
Aubrey Greigh, a best-selling mystery author, and ambitious Chicago detective, Chance McQuillan partner with a pair of Romani parapsychologists to solve two baffling high-profile homicides. This cryptic case could turn the credibility of politics in America’s largest city on its ear. But solving this case could help Interpol solve a series of longstanding international crimes.
Are our professional and amateur investigators equipped to filter flimsy facts from rampant fantasy to stop the wild speculation and seemingly senseless killing? The mayor of America’s largest city hopes so. Or does he? Is anything what it seems?
Relish the tortuous twists and turns in this classic locked-room whodunnit with… what? Utterly mysterious circumstances and a conspiracy that spans two continents? Maybe even paranormal possibilities? You’ll keep guessing until your final turn to the last page.
***
I favor creating different versions of a book’s cover and soliciting feedback while writing the manuscript. It inspires me. Most authors wait until at least the final draft is complete. Not me. I offer you a peek at the latest iteration of my cover graphics, and like always, I’m open to suggestions. Seriously. Do you like it (the back cover text is still under revision)? What do you think of the title? Please do let me know at gjurrens@yahoo.com:
Enough of this book stuff, eh?
4. Experiencing the US West Coast in 2024
Oh, my gosh, where do I start! This summer has been the polar opposite of sensory deprivation. We have been sensory gluttons! I offer you a sampling of our summer since leaving Tucson April 30th in our grand old bus:
Das bus nestled in Sequim, Washington (Gilgal RV Oasis). Roosters at the farm across the road crow non-stop, a source of constant amusement!
Quartzsite, Arizona – just to veg out for a spell and to continue my focus on watercolor painting and drawing in my “spare time.” Retirement is exhausting, my friends!
Sequoia National Forest in central California’s San Joaquin Valley (Visalia)
San Francisco Bay Area (Petaluma) for almost a month where we took an extended double-decker bus tour of the city, went to see the Carnivale parade and celebration of Central & South American culture in the Mission district, along with an amazing rolling car show. We sailed around the bay ,under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz island aboard a 65′ sailing catamaran. Kay and I took a sporty helicopter ride over the Sonoma wine country and their Pacific seaside cliffs. We enjoyed countless day trips in the car along the Pacific Coast Highway (1). Visited Sausalito across the bay where we explored a hydrodynamic model of the entire Bay Area (US Army Corps of Engineers), found a fascinating restaurant (fusion of Marin County and Indian vegan cuisine they call Marindian cuisine confusion – very urban Californian!) and a few high-end art galleries—constrained budget and limited wall space mandated browsing only!)
Hiked a redwood forest in Northern California (Eureka) and sprained my ankle 🙁
Explored the Oregon Coast for a few weeks in each of Brookings (participated in Judy Howard’s fascinating writer’s group and taught a publishing seminar. We hung out on Driftwood Beach and Harris Beach), then Newport (Lincoln City Kite Festival, and lots of marina dock-walking). And we visited the marine heritage museum and the beach at Fort Stevens outside Astoria.
Enjoyed an evening of music at The 1905 jazz club in Portland. We stayed in nearby Troutdale for three weeks.
Visited the largest new/used book store west of the Mississippi River. Powell’s City of Books in Portland is an enormous store that feels small and intimate within dozens (hundreds?) of genre-specific rooms on three floors. They feature a rare books room where I enjoyed hanging out for an afternoon.
While parked in Troutdale, we also explored the Columbia Gorge area inland from the Oregon coast, including their enchanting waterfalls area, a ride on the Mt. Hood Railway, and a trolley tour of Fruit Valley near the base of Mt. Hood. We watched a wind and kite surfing exhibition in the eclectic city of Hood River. I also attended the annual Flutestock Native American flute festival outside of Eugene (Springfield).
Blew a tire on our toad (towed vehicle) en route to Washington. We’renow driving a rental car. We’ll need to travel 170 miles (one way) to retrieve it from Longview, Washington once it’s repaired (new bumper and front left quarter panel, painted, and aligned after four new tires are mounted, balanced, and installed. Only one blew out, but we’re replacing them all.
Now we’re in NW Washington on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula. We’re exploring the villages of Sequim, Port Townsend, and Port Angeles. This is a beautiful area! Oh, while here in Sequim, I subjected myself to a tortuous pedicure. Yikes!
And we’re not done yet. Looking forward to visiting Snoqualmie Falls, exploring Seattle again, as well as Mt. St. Helen’s, then Crater Lake, Klamath Falls, a month in Monterrey Bay area so we can do… whatever! Next, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and maybe Disney (for Kay). Then, I wanna check out the ever-funky Salton Sea (they said, “bring your own water, ours is loaded with arsenic.” An important safety tip). We’ll then return to Val Vista Villages in Mesa, AZ for November and December before returning to Voyager south of Tucson for about four months. Next summer? Minnesota!
That’s a top-level summary. Below are a bunch of photos and videos, along with a few of my attempts at watercolor paintings or drawing practice that might amuse you. They’re kind of jumbled. Sorry. Skip if you wish.
Photorealistic Drawing ExerciseDrawing Cherries ExerciseChiaroscuro Pencil Drawing of a Sad BoxerWatercolor Rooster with AttitudeSt Lucia Street Scene (Memory)Sailing Under the Golden GateGiant SequoiasSnow in Sierra Nevadas at 6000′ in JulySailing on San Francisco Bay, Kay rocks on the foredeck to Jimmy BuffetKay and I posed in front of the baby bird we flew over the Sonoma wine country and its sea cliffs region.Sexy butt! Kay’s reflection, ya weirdo!Cliffs along the Sonoma County coast, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. As seen from our sexy little heliochopter.Brookings Harbor charms!Driftwood Beach near our motorhome during our stay in Brookings, OregonHarris Beach just north of Brookings. A very cool beach!So many beaches, so little time. We stayed in the Newport Marina (called the South Beach neighborhood)Newport Marina is mostly a working marina, but also exhibits the presence of some serious recreational fish killers!Newport’s iconic bridge.Nye Beach in Newport, OregonNewport Rodeo. It was a lot, but… an experience. Two old farts on the Oregon Dunes. We even found and ran the beach at a high rate of speed.THAT was FUN!Christopher Brown & His Quartet at The 1905 Club in Portland. Chris used to hang with Wynton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder, and other greats. Largest New/Used Book Store West of the Mississippi in Portland offered us a delightful day of exploration. The Rare Books Room at Powell’s City of Books in PortlandMt. Hood RailwayWe visited a lavender farm called The Hope Ranch. A peaceful respite and a wonderful place to meditate. Mt. Hood looks small, but it’s not! This is like forty miles distant!Chatted up two crew members of a brand new 154-foot Coast Guard CutterThe Devil’s Punchbowl on the Oregon CoastA typical July weekend in the town of Hood River, Oregon on the Columbia River. Multnomah Falls with an almost 700 foot fall. Mt. Hood Railway – an opulent ride!Oops! A bad-ass blow-out (we do nothing half-fast, ya know!). Welcome to Washington, Mr. Toad (towed vehicle)! Nothing terribly serious, we think. We’re driving a rental for a few weeks while the Jeep gets her face lifted and new rubber all around. Just another adventure!A shop in Port Townsend offering pirate gear AND steampunk wares? Hell, yeah! Me mate leads the way. I’m on her heels!Too cool to buy!Now, where would we wear this stuff, anyway?Boats “hanging on the hook” in Port Townsend Bay.Or how about a fifties-style soda fountain? Jeepers, that’s nifty!Our rental car in front of the bus in Sequim, WA. Looks like some funky weather is moving in on us (Saturday, August 17). We’ve been lucky so far.
Enough with the vaca pics, already! Right?
5. 2025 Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB)?
Sick of book news and vaca photos, yet? Sorry. About one more gig… hopefully.
I’m excited enough to share with you a possible opportunity for this humble author. The University of Arizona hosts the sprawling Tucson Festival of Books annually in mid-March.
In addition to an amazing array of seminars, displays, and exhibitors, the TFOB features an “indie pavilion,” an opportunity to feature authors who independently publish their books (my publishing imprint is UpLife Press). I hope to participate in that, and maybe even score a feature slot. Might they ask me to present one or more of my seminars? Probably not.
At the very least, I hope to hawk all my wares to a significant audience of book shoppers at the festival. We’ll see. I need to submit a manuscript that’s been published less than twenty-four months prior to March 15, 2025. I’m excited to offer up my Aubrey Greigh mystery, Dancing With Death. Pray for me, my friends!
By the way, here are a few comments from mystery readers about Dancing With Death:
This is your best yet. Very exciting. I actually gasped when I read that— (spoiler redacted!). – Julia S,
You really nailed the suspense, especially by including red herrings and plot twists. I like being reacquainted with Greigh and McQ, and became fond of the new characters too. Thought I would like ___, but … big plot twist there. I love Butler (Greigh’s automated apartment security system and confidante), especially that you gave him Sean Connery’s voice. And he could easily be set in present times. – Dawn S.
The novel moved at a good pace, was intriguing and engaging. I truly enjoyed it. – Judy R.
I like the concept, storyline and characters. An excellent read. Dialogue was also excellent as was pace, twists and turns. – Mark M.
All the double agents, various international agencies, and crime bosses were easy to follow, and added depth to the story. – Steve B,
Great job!! Thoroughly enjoyed the book/manuscript. I hope this one reaches the “Best Seller” list. – Tom K.
I have nothing but praise for your writing! – Dave K.
Blown away by your choice of words and character descriptions as well as their interactions with one another. – Judy H.
6. Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend
One closing note: I’m not a huge fan of obituaries. This is an exception. Kay and I lost a precious friend and a great man this summer. Doug Olson was a decorated naval aviator, airline pilot, and a fearless fellow sailor. Fair winds and following seas, my friend. Captain Marti, our hearts ache for you, but it was time to make for the next port. For both of you, sweetie. We love you, Marti, and none of us will ever forget the skipper.
A man we were proud to call our precious friend.
Captain Marti and Doug a.k.a. the skipper
That’s it, mis compadres! So, until next time, and wherever….
Let’s roll!
Gene
Kay and I posed for this picture for our dual-purpose “cruising card.” We hand them out to new friends we meet on the road to stay in touch, and it’s also my business card. Ain’t that sweet?
P.S.
This quote resonated with me. I tend to embed contemporary social issues in my fiction. I’d like to think this makes my fiction more relevant and engaging to my readers.
