Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. A fun thing happened the other day… My husband was filling out paperwork and had to list his emergency contact. The person at the desk saw my name and asked, “Is your wife the author Tabitha Lord?” Now, my work has certainly won some awards and had critical acclaim. Sales aren’t terrible, but I don’t have wide name recognition as a writer, so the fact that this gentleman, all the way out here in Colorado, knew who I was made me really, really happy. He said he loved my book and couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series. Sometimes, I feel like I am sending my books out into the void. I know this can be the nature of the beast, and the publishing industry is not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth it when someone falls in love with my stories.

2. Ray and I finally took the Jeep off-roading and it was amazing! We drove through mud, streams, up steep inclines, and down rocky trails. Great Sand Dunes National Park was another truly worthy destination. Besides thinking we were on Tatooine for a while, the vistas were spectacular and our back-trail experience a highlight of our travels.

3. It’s June already, and that means Denver Fan Expo is just around the corner! If you’re in the Denver area June 30- July 2, come say hello! I’ll be at the event signing books all weekend and moderating a couple of panels - ‘Not a Doctor, but I Play One in my Book’ and ‘A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar.’

4. Writers, have you ever wondered if the idea you’ve been kicking around has enough substance to be your next novel? Amy and I had a fun discussion about this topic on our Author’s Buzz YouTube channel. Check it out here: Is My Idea Enough for a Book?

5. As we visit some amazing places, from the majestic mountains, to the stark desert, to the dense forests, I remember how restorative it is to spend time in nature. When I was a little girl, I loved nothing more than to be outside all day, climbing trees, picking berries and flowers, or lying on a bed of leaves staring at the sky. I couldn’t articulate it then, but for me, being in nature is a spiritual experience, where I feel connected to the world and at peace. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful, natural places in the world. “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary subject to change:

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-15: Salt Lake, UT

July 15-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Rock Springs, WY

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - November 15: Pacific Northwest TBD

November 15 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA