The Beginning of a Dream...

As I write this I have finally finished my novel 'Face the Rain' and I have sent it to Misty Peak Publishing for review. They have already read my sample chapters and given me a lot of positive feedback and encouragement. I don't want to get my hopes up, but this could be it...this could be the beginning of my dream to be a published author. I thank those people in my life who have helped me get this far. Especially my little sister who has been wearing the hat of editor for the past few months. I don't know what I would have done without her. So whatever happens from this point on. I can at least say I accomplished something that I set out to do. I finished my novel!!!!

a-ha - Foot of the Mountain

The ninth album of a-ha is called 'Foot of the Mountain' and it is absolutely wonderful. I've had it for a little over a month and listened to it many times. My favorite track has to be 'The Bandstand' but all the songs with the exception of 'Start the Simulator', that one I just can't grasp, are brilliant. They are great summertime tunes to blast in the car with all the windows down especially 'Riding the Crest'. I would highly recommend any a-ha fan to buy this cd and introduce it to non-fans. I already have four converts. Morten Harket's voice is still so clear and strong as it picks you up and carries you through such breathtaking soundscapes. It is so hard to believe that he will be 50 years old September 14. I hope you will buy this cd and enjoy it as much as I have.

Buy it on Amazon.com
A-ha - Foot of the Mountain
You can also find the previous eight albums as well as solo work by Morten and Magne F and Savoy

Moments in Life

How many lives are altered by one moment in time, one decision made in that moment? How many moments does it take to completely and irreversibly alter ones life?

--Jennifer DeNaughel

Beware of Cute Faces!!!

Look at that face...but don't be fooled!!!

I had never seen a raccoon in its own natural environment before. I, like most people, thought that something so small and cute and adorable would be friendly and let you take a photo. Well, right after I took this photo, at a safe distance, or so I thought...she took offense and decided she wanted us out of there. Unfortunately, our dog chose that moment to jump out of the truck and she attacked him, biting him on his backside several times before my husband could get her off him. Copper then ran to me and I opened the door of the truck. He jumped in and I followed then she went after my husband. He had to jump in the back of the truck to get away from her. He had to climb into the cab without touching the ground and she was still coming at him. We figured out that she was either protecting babies or just didn't want us getting the food that some brilliant human had put there by her tree...dog food and a dead animal carcass. Don't feed wild animals and don't go within twenty feet of them. No matter how adorable they are. We learned this lesson the hard way. As for Copper, he had a trip to the vet and he will be okay with antibiotics and time. Luckily he was up to date on his shots so doc said he will be just fine.

Find Me

My First Trip to the Oregon Coast Age 4

I remember a little girl, a funny happy little girl, so full of life and mischief. Somewhere along the way I lost her. She is missing. I sense her presence from time to time, but I still cannot seem to find her. I want to. I try to. I long to. Someone help me find my way back to her again. With each and every pound I gain I bury her deeper and deeper. One day I will feel her no more. One day I will lose her forever. I have to find the strength. I have to find the courage. She needs me. I need her. I need me.

Home Is Where The Heart Is...

How is it that I feel homesick for a place that has never been my home. A place I have visited often and love so much that my heart longs to go back again. A place where I feel like I truly belong. Idaho may be my birthplace and my lifelong home but Bandon in Oregon is where my spirit feels at peace and my heart fills with contentment. One day I know that I will finally be home to stay...in Bandon-By-The-Sea.

Bandon-By-The-Sea

I close my eyes and then
On a dream and a wish
I am carried back there
Senses coming to life again
The sights...the sounds
The scent of the air and sea
And the feel of the sand
Beneath my weary feet
It seems so very long ago
But the memories of then
Guide me through the now
Showing me the way home
Giving me the strength
To face the pain and fear
To emerge from the fog
And find solace in my soul
And courage in my heart
To carry me through life
'Til I can return there again
To Bandon-by-the-Sea...

By Jennifer DeNaughel

Through the Storm...

Lonely sentinel

Beautiful and steadfast

Its beacon shining

Wind rain and surf

Take their toll

But the light burns on

Guiding lost souls

Toward safe harbor

Bringing them home

Renewing hope

And faith in man.

By Jennifer DeNaughel

©2004 Jennifer Christine DeNaughel

Springtime arrives in Idaho again

So beautiful and yet so unpredictable

It was a long and dreary winter

So glad it is finally over and done

We survived it again all in one piece

Despite the challenges it always brings.

Springtime in Idaho warmly welcomed

Even though it isn’t so warm today

Yesterday it actually snowed again

And the wind howled and whipped

Today it was chilly with only a little sun

Tomorrow it could be in the sixties.

Springtime in Idaho you never know

Anything is possible rain, snow or sun

I look forward to the bright sunny days

And spending an hour or so outside

Enjoying the fresh air and bird songs

Watching as the season comes to life.

By Jennifer DeNaughel

Goodbye Marco and Best Wishes

My new Scrabble Blast Record!!!

I scored '521' points on one...yup just one word...EXUBERANTLY!!! Aren't I just the smarty pants...hehe. Ok so my top score is now 16,677 points and level 32!!! Ok all done bragging now. I need a life!!!

The crashing waves lull me to sleep…but only in my dreams. My heart longs to go there again…to feel the ocean mist on my face and hear the sound of the children playing, sand in their shoes and smiles on their faces. One day soon I will walk the shore again.

Lego Lighthouse

My niece and nephew and I built this cool lighthouse out of Legos. It was fun and I had to take a photo. Funny thing is it really looks like a light is shining from the top of the tower because the flash from my camera reflected off the 'lens' that I made from the clear blocks. Cool huh!

A-ha! The Boys Are Back!!!

The boys from Norway have come a long way from the days of ripped jeans and leather jackets...ok well, maybe just newer ripped jeans and leather jackets...HAHA!!! They will be releasing album number nine this June!!! I can't wait. They were amazing in 1985, they are awesome now in 2009!!! Check them out!!!

Handsome devil, isn't he...MMMMorty!!!

Morten's Voice By Nicole

My Favorite Flower Photos

Swing on the Hands of Time

People rushing by

In an eventful world

A city never to sleep

Still I know I need

To give care to things

That I am told

By a voice in a letter

And speak of things

Across the ocean

Where time slows

And my eyes have seen

Beyond the dark

A breathtaking sight

There the horizon glows

With a winter still

Given this turning point

No more games

Of hide and seek

The clock has struck

And I swing on

Swing on the hands of time.

By Jennifer DeNaughel

Our Tears May Fall...

Refuge by Jennifer DeNaughel

Winter Driving Song

Winter Driving Song

(To the tune of Jingle Bells)

Dashing through the snow

In my beat up Subaru

It has a million miles

But it always gets me through

The check engine light is on

It has been for awhile now

I need to get to work

Or their gonna have a cow

There goes another fool

He’s passing on a hill

The fog is thick as spit

Oh, I hope he’s got a will

Why can’t I just stay home

These roads are really slick

My fingertips are numb

Oh, I wish I’d called in sick

My husband is at home

Warm and snug in bed

And I’m out here driving

Praying I don’t end up dead.

By Jennifer DeNaughel

Lament of a Commuter...

Okay so just a little insight into my exciting life...I am a commuter. Have been for the past oh...roughly 167 months. Oh yes, the life of a Shoshone-Sun Valley Commuter is full of excitement. Oh the sense of adventure dodging deer and those ever dangerous bunnies and eeek SKUNKS!!!

Then we have the suicidal drivers who think it is great fun to pass six cars in thick fog or a raging blizzard just to get there five minutes faster than the rest of us. Or better yet...passing on a hill or a curve just to get the ole adrenaline a pumpin'. Ha ha then there are those brilliant souls who end up off the road in a hole in the lava beds.

Okay I will admit that I am so not perfect. Yes, I have gone to fast at times and passed when I probably shouldn't have...but that doesn't count. Haha!

Now when you get over Timmerman Hill and down into the Wood River Valley, about halfway to Sun Valley, you enter a whole other realm of folks who think that just because they have more money they get to do what they please on the road. SCARY!

For example, the SUV driving soccer mom who thinks HER kid is far too special to ride the school bus with the Riff-Raff. The ski bum who is still stuck in the 60's and has that glazed look in his eyes to prove it. The skin-tight-ski-suit-wearing-trust-funder who just has to get to the slopes before everyone else. And last but definitely not least...the pedestrian who doesn't seem to understand that when they walk across an icy street a car cannot stop on a dime in time to avoid their jay-walking ass!

Don't get me wrong, Sun Valley is a beautiful place full of beautiful people. I do enjoy working there. Ah but how wonderful it is to know that at the end of the day I can leave California, Idaho and return to the real world.

My hometown of Shoshone, Idaho...love it!!! So beautiful and quiet...well, if you ignore the roaring and the high pitched whistle of the multiple trains rolling through the middle of town at 60 mph repeatedly throughout the day...and night. You get used to it after awhile. The squirrels playing in the backyard and sneaking into your house on Super Bowl Sunday through your dryer vent...(But that's another story.)

So this was just a little peek into my world. I hope you enjoyed it! I hope I don't offend anyone. Oh well. Smiles All!!! AND GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!! Just kidding :)

Surreal Coast

I made my layout with the Myspace Background Maker. Get myspace layouts, graphics, and flash toys at pYzam.

My Kids ;-)

Echoes of Friendship

Words and images
Echoes of a time past
Close my eyes tightly
I can still see your smile
I can still hear your voice
You once walked with me
Now I take this road alone
So many others cross my path
But none of them are you
I miss you so much, my friend
I only hope you know
How much you meant to me
How much you touched my soul
You will always be beside me
And one day I will see you again.

Oregon Coast

Just a few of my favorite photos of
the Oregon Coast.