Another Day, Another... MOVE?!

My life is in turmoil again. But, hell's bells. When is it not? Especially these last few years?

I am moving again. This time to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Yes, you read that right. This Georgia girl is moving to Wyoming. 

Why? My sister, the reason I moved to Idaho in the first place, has decided she wants to be close to her grandbabies. Havilah is nine. Donovan is five. And they grow up so fast.

I 🖤Vedauwoo Wyoming

I have a choice. I could stay in Nampa. But the truth is, I've never warmed up to Idaho. Yes, it's beautiful in a desert-y sort of way, and I love my writing partner, coworkers, and patients. But the summers can be brutal - much hotter, believe it or not, than my hometown of Villa Rica, near Atlanta, Georgia.

Vedauwoo - 30 Miles West of Cheyenne

Plus, people are flocking here to the Treasure Valley and have been for years. In DROVES. From California, Oregon, and all over - bringing the traffic and sprawl with them. Sayonara, y'all. I'm outta here. Cheyenne's population is seventy thousand tops and its growth rate is 1-2% annually versus half a million live bodies and 40 - 90% growth here in the Valley, depending on the city.

Yeah. I like Cheyenne's stats.

Vedauwoo Wyoming

But won't I freeze to death in Wyoming? Isn't that why no one wants to move there? 

Yeah, well. Maybe. But, I'll deal. Since moving to Idaho, I've learned that I'm made of tougher stuff than I'd long believed. I would be willing to bet that you are, too. But as I said earlier, it's the lack of humidity that gets me. The weather, I can dress for, but I don't own a personal portable sauna. Hmm, maybe I should. Would someone invent one for me?!

Flowers Everywhere - July 2, 2016 Vedauwoo

And, oh, how I miss the rain - the thunderstorms, the proliferation of green, the blessed humidity that provides an opaque canopy that shields us puny mortals from the sun. The sky is deep blue out west for a reason—there's no moisture here. Or precious little. 

The Meadows Ablaze with Color

But, Cheyenne's climate is similar to Boise's, and I've adapted to that over the last six years. Other than the first crazy winter when I arrived - 2016 Snowmageddon - the snowfall has been minimal. Especially considering how far north we are. On the other hand, winter does start earlier and it lasts longer in Cheyenne. And they have more wind. But it's windy here too.

And Ladybugs!

Anyway, it's all in motion. The house is listed. We've had two moving/garage sales with one (two?) more to come. There is an agent at the house doing a FaceTime showing to someone from out of town. And I'm at The Habit writing this post and getting my Santa Barbara Charburger fix on.

Brooding Wyoming Sky at Vedauwoo

Now my belly is full and my bucket of hopes and dreams is too.

Until next time,

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

P.S. The upcoming move has me pondering all sorts of possibilities. Including, but not limited to, retiring from chiropractic altogether and pursuing a couple of less mentally, physically, and emotionally-draining activities. Both pastimes intrigue me, though one is intended to provide a source of spending money, the other will challenge me in all sorts of ways - including getting me out of the house and into nature! What's not to love about that?

P.P.S. I took the above pictures at Vedauwoo (pronounced VEE-duh-voo) near Cheyenne on July 2, 2016. It's a vast and impressive monument to God's creative nature with a sense of spirit and timelessness that is nearly breathtaking. I'm looking forward to becoming friends with the rocks, forests, and streams there. 

P.P.S.S. From the Cheyenne.org website: 

Located 10 minutes west of Curt Gowdy State Park is Medicine Bow National Forest and the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. Named by the indigenous people who called the area home it means “Land of the Earthborn Spirit”. Here you will find world-class rock climbing and bouldering opportunities on breathtaking rock formations made of pink feldspar, white quartz, and black specs of hornblende. Forged by fire, ice, and wind, climbing opportunities for all levels can be found. At a starting point of 8200 feet, it won’t take long to enjoy the amazing vistas of the Rocky Mountains and the vast expanse of the high plains. Staying closer to the ground, explore miles and miles of dirt roads for ATVing, hiking trails, and backcountry camping opportunities. Moose, elk, mule deer, and countless other birds and animals call this special place home.

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a fun, fast, and epic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will release in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook, and the hardback versions will be available in 2022.

Free For Subscribers

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is also available as an ebook - for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.

Publication Delay + Free Chapters

It is now official. And while it may seem like old news, the last day to upload Awen Tide's manuscript to make the extended preorder release date has passed. I knew it was coming, and as I told you before, I felt lower than whale poo about delaying publication. Then this morning, I received the anticipated (but dreaded) communique from KDP.

Oddly enough, this message brought a sense of relief rather than further angst. Now I can finish writing the all-important third and final volume of the Awen Trilogy without the crushing weight of an outside deadline looming over my head. As an added and much-appreciated benefit, the joy of writing returns. 

Hallelujah.

On the 16th, the twenty-six people who preordered Awen Tide will receive the official notice from KDP. That same day, I will send out a newsletter offering an opportunity to read the first several chapters for free. 

The chapters may not be complete, and they will likely require further edits. They may appear in a different order (or not at all) once the book is published. But rather than getting NOTHING on the preorder release date, I hoped this might help allay your thirst.

NOTE: If you are not subscribed to the mailing list, you will need to do so to gain access to the free chapters. Just click the picture below and follow the prompts. Doing so will also get you a free copy of my first Awen prequel - The Druids of Marduk, Part I.

I promise to have the rest available soon.

Have a happy, productive, and restful week!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

Free For Subscribers

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a fun, fast, and epic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will release in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook, and the hardback versions will be available in 2022.

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is also available as an ebook - for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.