L.A. Jones
A final word or two...
Firstly, credit where credit's due:
Thanks to G.H. Jones, my website wiz.
Thanks to my cousin, Dr. Patricia McLaughlin, for heartfelt chats on the writing craft.
Thanks to my brother for heaps of determined support.
Thanks to my sister-in-law for her exquisite photographer's eye; she captured the sea urchins and Aussie beach scene I used for Holes In Things and Winston Hangs Ten, respectively.
Thanks to my nephew and niece for their artistic efforts on my behalf. The Ninja Garden Series covers were elegantly wrought by Tim Bailey. In addition, he realized the Ninja Garden musical theme with true mastery. JJ Bailey's sweet vocal renderings and musical gifts bring Hajimemashou, Private Heart, and Oyasuminasai to vibrant life.
Discover: The Midnight Coyotes on YouTube!
Hajimemashou Daredevil Zeal Roland falls for her martial arts instuctor, and a tough course is set. Happily, Zeal's game!
Ninja Garden Listen for the shifting branches of the ancient willow; the goldfish sliding through the crystalline pond; the calming fall of the fountain spray. Listen as the music swells to the pace of a driven heartbeat in this instrumental tribute to the complex soul of the ninja.
Private Heart Zeal looks for a way into the private heart of the ninja. From My Own Private Ninja: "It's the motion of the heart, Ms. Roland. Tension and relaxation. We mustn't work against the heart, agreed?" So Tadashi Ono says, but Zeal Roland feels he's often working against the desires of his heart.
Now, especially for the foodies—
From My Own Private Ninja:
"I promised to get you something hideous to eat after you passed out on the fugu," he says with a glistening smile. "What ugly thing do you crave?"
I spot sandwiches on the menu. "Hmmm...grilled cheese?"
"Is grilled cheese ugly?"
"Yep, cheese running everywhere, no design at all and no sense of order...and drowning in ketchup?"
"Hai, Ms. Roland. I think it can be arranged."
Zeal Roland's Grilled Cheese
(All her favorite flavors pressed conveniently between the covers.)
Ingredients:
Two slices country-style white bread
Two slices American cheese
Dill pickle chips
Scrunched potato chips (Zeal suggests honey dijon.)
Olive oil for the pan
Preparation:
Top a slice of bread with a slice of cheese. Layer on the dill pickle chips. Sprinkle on the scrunched potato chips. Top with the last slice of cheese and cover with the last slice of bread.
Pour olive oil into a pan and set over medium heat. When the oil coats the pan, add the sandwich and brown. Turn the sandwich carefully so as not to spill the pickle and chips and brown on the other side.
Serve with a pool of ketchup.
Enjoy!!!
Between the covers; my idea of romance...
The lovers' hearts flame; they fall into each other's arms; they close the door, and we peek through the keyhole.
A word in your ear...
Forgive, dear reader,
Oversights,
As I forgive
The muse's bites.
I've attempted here
To entertain,
So, please, dear reader,
Do refrain
From judgements harsh
And much too dire
(Remember Prometheus
And his gift of fire.)
Finally, think to laugh
Or chuckle a little;
My goal is to make
The harsh less brittle.
P.S. Remember, life's an adventure: Hit the road, or open a book!
And don't forget your rose-tinted glasses!
Love,
L.A. Jones
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