Ah, yes. Lone Dog Road (LDR) has become the Godot of books. But just keep waiting. Pub date finally and solidly set for mid-May.
I happened across this photo, and it reminded me of a short passage in LDR where Danton, the man in pursuit of the two boys, Levi and Reuben, reflects upon the difference between the east side of the Missouri River where he is traveling, and the west side (known as West River), where the boys had come from.
I find it illuminating because the way that I write is to see images in my mind and then describe them in words. This photo perfectly captures the image that I was seeing in my mind of West River.
These gravel roads were endless and the boys could have been on any of them. The stands of corn or alfalfa lining either side would have provided them with easy hiding places whenever a car went by.
This was not like the west side of the Missouri, where the long, winding ribbons of asphalt snaked through the hills and arroyos, allowing you to see for miles and perhaps get a glimpse of two tiny figures walking along the side of the road before they had a chance to see you and take cover. But I was where I was, and I had to make the best of it.
If I hadn’t made a promise to Ree, the Steinbachs, and Ida, I would have turned around and gone home. But I had given my word that I would protect the boys, and my word is about the only thing I have that is worth anything. But I couldn’t protect what I couldn’t find, and driving through identical fields on identical gravel roads was not a promising way to find two little boys who probably didn’t want to be found.
I’m anxiously awaiting the release of”Lone Dog Road” – so glad there is finally a date
Waiting hopefully! Happy Holidays to you and family! HUGS from Colorado!
I feel like it was a sampler of an old commercial with ‘anticipation’ as the theme song…Thanks !!
Yep, a picture’s woth a thousand words alright, but a picture with words such as your’s Kent, take us further into the lives of others, but especially ourselves.
Thanks for giving us a glimpse of Lone Dog Road this blessed All Souls Day.
As well as ourselves.
God Bless
After reading,”… where the long, winding ribbons of asphalt snaked through the hills and arroyos, allowing you to see for miles and perhaps get a glimpse of two tiny figures walking along the side of the road before they had a chance to see you and take cover.” I immediately thought of “Chief Joseph and The Flight of The Nez Perce,” and “Cheyenne Autumn,” when Indigenous people were fleeing soldiers who were searching for them. Who but the author, knows if such horrific history has played out across the very land the boys walk, and spirits watch them pass?
Nicely done. It flows.
Your snippet is attuned to smelling a delicious aroma wafting from an oven, but not able to taste the finished product.
I will exercise patience.
Thank you Ken. All the best to you and yours.
Anxiously awaiting LDR here in Ohio. Thank you for this snippet that flows so perfectly and immediately makes the reader want more. Thank you as well for ALL the stories you have blessed us with.
This snippet whets the appetite for more. Questions float above the images. The road ribbons cut through the imagination. The gray-blue clouds scudding above the black road parallel the boys’ journeys – internal and external. So many possibilities and each one an adventure ready to burst.
Thanks for the sneak preview. // JackPine Savage / aka CatherineStenzel – Beltrami Island Forest – Minnesota
Love your snippet — it was very brief though. We want more… longer ones, please….