Memorial Day

Just a quick note. Today, as we remember departed loved ones and military men who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, let's also take a moment to remember fallen police, firemen, and all safety officers, neighbors who put their lives on the line every day to make us safe and secure in our communities.

Rest well, brothers and sisters, and thank you.

John

Broken, Pulled, and Strained

Hey Gang,

I've taken a hiatus from pushing the book for the past week, mainly because of things happening with family members. Ethan, out youngest, left today on a three-day wilderness/environmental excursion with his 6th grade class. I can't wait to hear the tales from this adventure. Have any of you ever been with a large group of middle schoolers for any length of time? If the opportunity ever presents itself, turn and run like there's an Albanian insurance salesman pursuing you! But the really big story here is that Ethan, a child who makes Felix Unger look like Pigpen by comparison, will be tromping through muddy creeks, handling crayfish, sweating, and swatting mosquitos.

In a way, it's good that he'll be gone until Friday because the rest of the household looks like a M*A*S*H unit at Anzio Beachhead. Seven weeks ago, Jamie broke her foot, and it's still broken. Tomorrow, Brian gets his wisdom teeth out. And Laura, two nights before her college graduation, broke her ankle. Finally, just to prove that not only the DeFrank life-forms are having problems, on the way back from Hamilton on Monday night, our van (loaded with Laura's college gear) blew its water pump!

On the bright side: Laura, what a kid! In one weekend, she garnered more honors and awards than I earned in my entire life. She really takes after her Mom.

I'll get back to you soon and let you know how everything is going. Until then, have a happy Memorial Day. Please take a few minutes to remember those who have passed before us: friends, relatives, and all the brave veterans who made the greatest sacrifice.

Peace and civility,

John

A terrific first week, a sentimental second

The past week has been a whirl of action, even though I did a very limited promotion of my book through Facebook and e-mails to friends (and I haven't even gotten to the old gang of MAK-men from Millersville-yet). The response has been tremendous. Thank you all for your enthusiastic support!

I would like to do some more promotion of the book, but for the next few days the DeFrank family will be consumed by Laura's college graduation. A bittersweet moment: enthusiastic hurrahs for her achievement and superior record over the past four years but also a touch of melancholy, as my little girl takes yet another step away from the next. Her next step is grad school!

Those of you who are parents know what I'm talking about, even if you don't have children of college age. The first time she sat up, her first steps, the first day of kindergarten ... every landmark of passage is marvelous, every age is beautiful, but we have to remember to cherish each moment of growth, for it passes in the blink of an eye. So, I guess the big note this week is the reminder that we have to cherish our children while they are children.

Finally!

Hey Gang,

Condemned to Freedom is finally available! My publisher, Booklocker.com, gives me the biggest cut, and it's a nice place to visit for some unique and unusual subjects. You also can find it at a variety of online bookstores, including the most popular: Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com. Plus, if you ask at your local book store, they can order if for you.

This has been a long and difficult process, the latest glitch came when my publisher, who is wonderful, by the way, suggested I change the title because there was a book written by William Pfaff in 1971, entitled Condemned to freedom, an excellent non-fiction work by a prolific and brilliant journalist. No disrespect to Mr. Pfaff, but because his book is almost 40 years old, out of print, and non-fiction, AND because the title is so relevant to the book, I stuck with it. In case you are looking for my book, it has a shady character under a streetlamp, and it clearly says, "A Novel" and "One man's justice is another man's reckoning" on the cover. Oh yes, and mine says, "John DeFrank."

So here it is, I hope some of you decide to give it a read. I'll get back to you soon.

John