Dating in Jacksonville 

Worsening health concerns meant, I had to move eighteen months before hubby could hang up his work hat. So, on February 8, 2011 at 9:00 am, I pulled out of the driveway of our Northern New York home, leaving behind all that was familiar, including my husband of thirty-three years, to play Daniel Boone and forge a new life for us in Florida. 

I cried a little when I left, trying to keep focused on the positives. Hubby would come to Florida every few months and I would come north to help settle the house once it was sold. Dating your spouse puts a whole new perspective on a marriage. I always considered myself an independent person, until the move. Living alone brought challenges I hadn’t faced since before marriage…like balancing a checkbook, and fixing things that break. 

When hubby visited, we did fun things like boat rides, walks on the beach, going to museums, and golfing. We made the best of the limited time we had together. Our long times apart taught us to appreciate the little things we used to do for each other. Like hubby’s willingness to kill spiders.  

I quickly learned that everything grows bigger in Florida—especially spiders. I’m petrified of even the tiniest crawling thing. 

I felt proud over the fact that I had purchased a home for us on my own. Hubby had come for the closing, but I had done all the paperwork and the home was in my name.  Wow, did I feel independent. Until two days after I moved in. 

Hubby had returned to the North Country and had yet to see the house we bought and wouldn’t until January since I would meet him up north at our daughter’s home for Christmas. I refused to be daunted though this dating my husband thing was getting very old and the times between “dates” too long. I felt as if I were going through life with a missing limb. 

One feature of our new home was a screened in porch where I hoped to sit outside and have my morning devotions. I opened the patio door only to be greeted by the biggest spider I’d ever seen and hope to never see again. It dared to crawl across my patio floor keeping me from the place I’d hoped to meet with God.  

First, I asked it to leave nicely. But it wouldn’t. As my panic increased, so did my hysteria. I yelled at my spouse for leaving me alone in this house. This dating thing was unnatural. He was supposed to be here to kill that spider. I shouldn’t have to do this horrible thing. Buying a house on my own was one thing, but killing a spider was way beyond possible. 

“You will not deprive me of my home!” I yelled. Undaunted, the spider continued to creep toward the patio doors. 

Sobbing, I grabbed a dust mop and held my breath as I took aim at the huge black invader. “Die! Die! Die!” I demanded as I wielded my weapon with all the hysteria of a murderous mad woman until the spider disintegrated. When I finally realized the enemy was dead, I ventured back inside and cried for another half hour, yelling condemnations at my absent spouse. 

That was the lowest point. Christmas came then a January visit, a May visit and hubby moved in by June. Life would get better and we could resume our fun on a fulltime basis. 

The month after hubby became an official Floridian, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our retirement plans were put on hold for a long process of treatment. 

Fortunately, my prognosis is good. I am thankful he’s here with me. I’d rather kill a hundred spiders than face this alone. In sickness and health the vows said. Nothing about spiders or long periods of separation. I believe the time we spent dating was a time to reaffirm our love for one another, a prelude to our once again holding hands while we faced a new enemy, with chemo and radiation instead of a dust mop. 

I am nearing the end of the treatment process. I am driving again, and my mental acuity is returning. I rub my fuzzy head where my hair is trying to grow back and put my head on hubby’s shoulders. “We will get through this,” he says. “It’s not an end to our journey but merely another bump in the road.” 

Next on the agenda, a second honeymoon.

About Linda: A native of Central New York, Linda Rondeau met and married Steve Rondeau, her best friend in life, and managed a career in human services before tackling professional writing. After thirty-four years of marriage, they have relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, leaving rural America to live in a city of one million.

While writing is her greatest passion, the more favorable temperatures of Florida allow her to follow another great passion–golf.

Linda is the wife of one patient man, the mother of three, and the grandmother of nine.

An award winning author, Linda is multipublished. Linda’s first title, The Other Side of Darkness, released Fall 2012, won the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel. Her first book in her Sci-Fi, futuristic series, America II, written under L.W. Rondeau released summer of 2012.

About the book – It Really is a Wonderful Life: Midville newcomer and Iraq War widow, Dorie Fitzgerald, despises the frigid Adirondack wasteland that has now become her home. After twenty failed job interviews, she questions the wisdom of moving to be near her parents. Desperate to belong, she joins the local Community Theater, in production for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Jamey Sullivan has put his professional life on hold in order to run the family business and to help his ailing father. He signs on for Midville’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, although he hopes to receive a Broadway casting call any day now.

When these two meet, they are instantly attracted to one another. However, ambition, demanding children, and a romantic rival threaten to squash their growing love for one another.

It Really is a Wonderful Life is set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains, a perfect backdrop for romantic conflict.

About the book – The Other Side of Darkness: Three lives intertwined, tied together by dangerous circumstance and the faint echoes of an elusive hope. To make it through, each must find their way to the Light that’s found only on the other side of darkness… After setting out on a forced vacation, and literally running into a moose, Manhattan Assistant D.A. Samantha Knowles finds it’s not so bad being stranded in a quirky but intriguing Adirondack town.

But when her three-year prosecution against a convicted killer begins to unravel, she’s thrust into a whirlwind of haunting memories, fear, and danger…and suddenly, Haven isn’t so safe, after all. ~ With no future in Haven, and no way to escape the small town, teacher Zack Bordeaux fears he’s doomed to a life of mediocrity. ~ Haunted by the deaths of his wife and son, landscape artist Jonathan Gladstone feels bound to an estate he both loves and loathes. When Zack and Jonathon meet Samantha,their lives take on a different course.

Oct 14, 2012

Chemo + 11

And unto man he said, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.  (Job 28:28 KJV).

Been a wild ride since my last posting. But then there’s nothing new in life being a wild ride for me. I figure that I don’t know what normal is. I think in truth normal is what we have become accustomed to as life happens. But then that normal is redefined, ever changing and ever expanding. 

October 9 found me sick again and I went into the hospital on the tenth. No Bible. No computer. No inside info except me and God. And that is enough sometimes. More than enough. He always fills in the blank spaces. 

It occurred to me that I had sinned. What? Yes.  

When the doctor gave me a list of things that might possibly go wrong, I started cherry picking with God. Oh…please not that, God. I can endure some of these things, even losing my hair, but some of these others are so disgusting and well….very unromantic. 

Cancer is not romantic illness at all. 

I guess God decided he wanted me to feel more of some of the others who experience these symptoms. So far I’m had vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, infection, mouth sores. Then this morning I wrote. But “I’m not losing my hair.” 

Until I took my shower and was confronted with the fact that even this will not escape me.

But it’s still good. I know that the next cocktail will contain helpers so I don’t go through so much of this again. And after the doctor visit on Tuesday, I go get a wig. 

Today I read Job 28.   

In the throes of his discord and doubts, Job knew that Wisdom begins in seeking God.

And so I shall continue to seek Him, to thank Him, and to beg forgiveness for my selfishness.

Today I am up, able to nourishment, concentrate a little better, but will still have to wait to leap buildings in a single bound. 

Today is good enough for God is in it. 

About Linda: A native of Central New York, Linda Rondeau met and married Steve Rondeau, her best friend in life, and managed a career in human services before tackling professional writing. After thirty-four years of marriage, they have relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, leaving rural America to live in a city of one million.

While writing is her greatest passion, the more favorable temperatures of Florida allow her to follow another great passion–golf.

Linda is the wife of one patient man, the mother of three, and the grandmother of nine.

An award winning author, Linda is multipublished. Linda’s first title, The Other Side of Darkness, released Fall 2012, won the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel. Her first book in her Sci-Fi, futuristic series, America II, written under L.W. Rondeau released summer of 2012.

About the book — It Really is a Wonderful Life: Midville newcomer and Iraq War widow, Dorie Fitzgerald, despises the frigid Adirondack wasteland that has now become her home. After twenty failed job interviews, she questions the wisdom of moving to be near her parents. Desperate to belong, she joins the local Community Theater, in production for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Jamey Sullivan has put his professional life on hold in order to run the family business and to help his ailing father. He signs on for Midville’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, although he hopes to receive a Broadway casting call any day now.

When these two meet, they are instantly attracted to one another. However, ambition, demanding children, and a romantic rival threaten to squash their growing love for one another.

It Really is a Wonderful Life is set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains, a perfect backdrop for romantic conflict.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Really-Wonderful-Life-Linda-Rondeau/dp/1938499433/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351220617&sr=1-2&keywords=Linda+Rondeau+books

Come back Oct 29th for Darlene Franklin!

The Story Behind the Story of Critical Condition: 

When people find out I’m a writer, they often ask if my stories are inspired by true events, to which I reply, “Oh, yes,” because I always have bad guys trying to do me in, and heart throbs tripping over themselves to go out with me. 

Okay, I’m just kidding. But Critical Condition was truly inspired by several people dear to my heart. On the surface, the story is a romantic suspense/medical mystery in which an undercover cop must figure out who is behind a rash of inexplicable deaths on the cancer ward, before the nurse who brought them to the police’s attention is silenced permanently. 

But ultimately, the story is a tribute to all who have walked alongside a loved one through the valley of the shadow of death, with a prayer that they embrace the joy of truly living again. 

You see, the hero of the story lost his wife to cancer, and having enjoyed a love so sweet and endured its loss, he can’t imagine being twice blessed. There are also secondary characters who walk that journey through the story. 

I lost my mom to cancer many years ago, and a dear writing friend to the same disease during the writing of this story. My friend had tried numerous experimental treatments over the course of her twenty-year battle, and it was that very real drive to find a cure that prompted the creation of Critical Condition’s suspense plot. 

My father’s and my friend’s husband’s unwavering support and sacrifice, and my mom and friend’s own determination to not give in to despair for their husbands’ sake were a true inspiration to me of heroes and heroines who never bail. 

I believe the constant reminder of how precious little time they might have together made them more open with their feelings and more forgiving of the little annoyances that can eat away at a marriage. But really, if we truly love our spouse, do we need the specter of death hanging over us to be a better spouse? 

My favorite Christian romances, at their heart, inspire me to be a better wife or friend or mother, and I hope my novels do the same for others.  

Your turn: How might you be a “hero” to a loved one today? 

About Sandra: Award-winning author Sandra Orchard hails from Niagara, Canada. She writes for Love Inspired Suspense and is currently working on a three-book series called Port Aster Secrets, for Revell Publishing. Sandra enjoys offering her readers “extras” to enhance their experience of her books. You can check out these, along with other resources for readers and writers, at her website: http://www.SandraOrchard.com. You can also connect at: http://www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard and http://www.SandraOrchard.blogspot.com.

 About the giveaway – Shades of Truth: Big city detective Ethan Reed is working deep undercover at a Christian youth detention center. The kind of place he spent some harrowing time in as a kid. Ethan’s mission: ferret out who’s recruiting resident teens for a drug ring. He expects help from the lovely, devoted director of Hope Manor. But Kim Corbett won’t tell Ethan anything– even when she’s threatened and attacked. When Ethan discovers what Kim is protecting, his guarded heart opens just a bit wider. Enough to make this the most dangerous assignment of his career.
Book 2 of Undercover Cops:
 Fighting for justice puts their lives–and hearts–on the line. 

About Sandra’s newest release – Critical Condition: There’s a murderer in the hospital, and nurse Tara Peterson is determined to prove it. With mysterious deaths in the cancer ward, anyone could be next. But no one wants to believe her…except undercover agent Zach Davis. The murderer wants Tara’s suspicions silenced, permanently. To protect Tara, Zach lets her in on his secret, and unwittingly into his heart. Tara and her three-year-old daughter are like the family he lost years before. Zach will risk everything to keep them safe, no matter the cost.

Come back October 14th for Amish Romance author, Kelly Irvin!

Looking Beyond the Obstacles 

I spied three couples and a great-looking guy with big blue eyes in the classroom. I felt God literally tap me on the shoulder and say, “Pay attention to that man.” I didn’t think the man noticed me, and I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but we started talking. As we got to know each other better, I began to appreciate his heart. When he learned I was a widow, he worked up the nerve to ask me if it was “appropriate for a 50-year-old man” to ask me out. I replied, “Why not? How old do you think I am?” After a long pause to my gauche question, he spoke a number that was 10 years below my age. Suddenly, I liked him more. 

Due to conflicting schedules, our first date took place three months later on Friday, December 13^th when the weather was like ink and glass. Bob took me to a lovely restaurant. Neither of us ate much because we couldn’t stop talking. He fascinated me. A gentleman, too, he walked me to my apartment door—it had started snowing—hugged me goodbye, and waved to my teenage son who had opened the door to supervise. By Christmas Eve, we had declared our feelings for each other.

Bob told me he had recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Early on, he graciously afforded me the opportunity to back out of our relationship. I already knew I loved him. Kiddingly, I told him he wasn’t getting off that easily. Though he laughed, we discussed candidly what MS might mean to our future. 

We became engaged a year later at the same restaurant, same table. He brought me one perfect red rose and a beautiful card. After dinner, instead of ordering dessert, our waitress placed a small cake in front of me with “Becky, will you marry me?” scrolled in pink icing. Without missing a beat, cheered by whistles and applause from staff and patrons, he descended to one knee waiting for my reply. The he slipped a gorgeous diamond on my finger. A photo of the cake shows up regularly on our computer screensaver slideshow.

We planned for a June wedding. We designed our invitations and ceremonial program and prepared a slide show of special people in our lives which we ended with Scripture from Song of Solomon. My son and daughter escorted me down the aisle to Martina McBride’s rendition of Valentine. After our vows were spoken, Bob stood before the congregation to testify how God had brought us together. A long-time bachelor, he instantly became a first-time husband, father to a teenage son and young adult daughter, and a grandfather. For months afterward, he told our story to unsuspecting people everywhere who listened and walked away uplifted.

Life sailed along for the first three years. Then, one morning, Bob told me about an issue he had experienced that caused alarm.  The doctor confirmed bladder cancer and scheduled surgery to remove the tumor. Considering the encroaching effects of MS, this was hard to hear. The diagnosis reminded me I had lost my grandfather, my mother and my aunt to cancer. I prayed to keep my husband. Because of how this disease had impacted my life, I produced Beating Cancer, an anthology of survivor stories. My husband’s is included.

God has been faithful to answer many of our prayers. Nearly five years later, Bob remains cancer free, and though his MS has advanced, it seems stabilized. People remark about the love that flows from our relationship. We seem to share one heart, answer each other’s thoughts and agree on most everything. This June, we will celebrate our eighth anniversary, and Bob still finds occasions to tell our story, especially to those who need encouragement. What a gift my marriage is! I’m so glad I listened to God.

About Becky: Becky Jacoby writes for many online and print venues. In addition to the anthology Beating Cancer, she is currently accepting submissions for an anthology of dog rescue stories and working on a mystery/thriller novel. She resides in coastal North Carolina with her husband, Bob, a rescued Labrador Retriever and a Boxer mix. She mentors at-risk youth, has assisted abused women, led marriage preparation teams and taught graphic design. 

About the book: Beating Cancer contains the intimate stories of 22 cancer survivors who share their journey to encourage others who have received a cancer diagnosis.

Steve’s Version: I remember the first time I saw her. She had long, shiny brown hair, teasing eyes, and pouting lips that at the time reminded me of a movie star. Rumor had it that she already had a boyfriend. It was just as well. I was too embarrassed to talk to her anyway. I had grown up in the country and felt much more comfortable with trees, animals, and tractors.

But my name being Bly, and hers being Chester, we were destined to sit next to each other in every class that had alphabetical seating assignments. In our freshman year that turned out to be English class.

Now I want to be the first to admit I was not the most cool dude at high school. I was a farm boy there with my flat top hair cut, blue jeans, white t-shirt, and black high-top tennis shoes. By Christmas of our freshman year I still hadn’t gotten up enough nerve to speak to this talkative young lady more than a few times. But she had made my list of the ten cutest girls on campus.

It took three more long years and ownership of a 1955 Chevy convertible, before I took a chance and asked her out for a date. To my utter amazement, she said, “yes.” To my continual bewilderment, she is still saying “yes.”

Janet’s Version: I had been dating a nice guy in high school for some time, but I finally sensed that we weren’t compatible. The relationship had gone stale for me and I wanted out, but didn’t know how to go about it. As Neil Sedaka was singing at the time, “Breaking up is hard to do.”

Finally, I told this guy that I had made other plans for the first football game of our senior year. I had intended to go with several girlfriends, but that fizzled out when they got dates of their own. So, I wound up going alone and meant to sit in the cheering section.

Just as I entered the stadium, I noticed my former boyfriend walking my direction. In a search for a way to avoid him, I shot a glance at the seats and noticed Steve halfway up, a jokester of a boy from my college prep classes who seemed to always delight in teasing me. Meanwhile, I often graded his tests when they were passed to the person behind. My first practice as his editor.

Now, he sat there, all by himself. In a quick moment of decision, I raced up the aisle and scooted next to him…just in time. The other guy passed below. Not my proudest moment. I made some lame excuse to Steve about my sudden friendliness and meant to move on. But, I lingered instead.

We had a fun time watching the game together. Then, he offered to take me to pizza afterward and home. Impressed with his manners and his blue Chevy with white top and red interior, I viewed him in a whole new sphere.

The following Monday at school I mentioned to him that I’d lost my student body card. “By any chance, did I leave it in your car?”

“Why, yes, you did,” he said.

“Oh, good,” I said.

“But you can’t have it back.”

I was a bit shocked. “Why is that?”

“Not unless you promise to go out with me this Friday night.”

Steve again: Back when I first saw her at age 14, I had no idea in the world that this cute, young teen would some day be my wife. And I never, even in my wildest teenage fantasy, dreamed that she would also be my very best friend. There’s nothing hidden from her. In the process of the last 48 years, we have built not only a family and a ministry, but also a partnership and friendship that has weathered storms and struggles, sorrows and delights as we discovered the joy of marriage. . .the ultimate invasion of privacy.

About Stephen: Stephen and Janet Bly have published 120 books…his, hers and theirs. Christy Award winner for westerns, Stephen’s newest novel is Throw The Devil Off The Train, a western romance hardback. The Blys have 3 married sons, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. They live in northern Idaho at 4,000 ft. elev. on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Website: http://BlyBooks.com Blog: http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com.

Links to Stephen’s other three posts:

 http://shannonvannatter.com/stephen-bly-real-life-fictional-romantic-interview-part-2-of-4/

http://shannonvannatter.com/stephen-bly-romantic-excerpt-part-3-of-4/

http://shannonvannatter.com/stephen-bly-romantic-destination-part-4-of-4/

Link to Stephen’s obituary:

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/news_and_deals/2011/06/in-memory-of-stephen-bly.html

Come back July 25th for Historical Romance author, Lorna Seilstad.