With all that’s going on in my life right now, well, it certainly makes me appreciate even more just how precious that life is. So please, take care of yourselves and those who depend on you. Love your family and friends and all other living things, and our wonderful planet. There’s a beautiful universe out there.

And do take advantage of each and every day, for the end is indeed waiting patiently for that final embrace, something I sometimes think of as …

A Shift in the Graveyard, and the thoughts floating about inside my mind often tend to go something like this.

Young eyes, once twinkling lights of hope and promise, give way to fading dreams.

Age weathers our outer shells, weakening once impenetrable barriers between health and disease.

Malignancy devastates foundation, driving out lifetimes of promise and optimism.

Despair waits hopelessly for renew,

And for repair that never arrives.

Alas, around the next turn awaits the end.

For its embrace is certain.

As certain as time itself.

 

*Photos by Sunday Kaminski

Sunday’s photographs have appeared in The Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and in various shows and galleries.


*I’m frantically taking care of WPA details, preparing for our rapidly approaching move—another departure from California, our family’s health issues, home inspections, meetings with potential movers and, well, there was simply no time to write anything cop-related. Maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, check out my Facebook page to view a few of the cool auction items soon to be available from the Writers’ Police Academy – Lunch in NYC with Lee Child. A character name in the next Reacher book. A character name in Stuart Woods’ next book. A weeklong law enforcement-only Crime Scene Technology class at the elite Sirchie compound in Raleigh, N.C. A guitar signed by the Oak Ridge Boys. A Murder She Wrote script signed by head writer/showrunner Tom Sawyer, and more! So many super nice items and one or all could soon be yours!!

https://www.facebook.com/lee.lofland.7

 

Shift in graveyard

A Shift in the Graveyard

 

Young eyes, once twinkling lights of hope and promise, give way to fading dreams.

Age weathers outer shells, weakening once impenetrable barriers between health and disease.

Malignancy devastates foundation, driving out lifetimes of promise and optimism.

Despair waits hopelessly for renew,

And for repair that never arrives.

Alas, around the next turn awaits the end.

For its embrace is certain.

As certain as time itself.

*Photos by Sunday Kaminski

Sunday Kaminski: Desolation, Abandonment, and Patriotism

Once again, Maryland photographer Sunday Kaminski has offered to share part of her world with us. Sunday’s work has been featured in many major shows, and in publications such as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Please take a good look at today’s images because one of them will be the inspiration for our next short story contest.

The last contest was fun, with lots of great entries. However, this time there’s a little more at stake. The winner of this contest will receive free registration to the 2010 Writer’s’ Police Academy. The author of the top story will also receive the first ever Golden Donut Award, presented by The Graveyard Shift.

Contest details are coming soon.

For those of you who’ve already registered for the academy, and many of you have, don’t worry. You’ll be reimbursed for the amount of the registration if you are declared the contest winner.

The contest is open to all genres.

Now, let’s continue our journey with photographer Sunday Kaminski.

*     *     *

Writers Police Academy Updates

Registration is officially open!

Please visit us at www.writerspoliceacademy.com to reserve your spot at this unique event now.

Space for the FATS training is limited to the first 100 people who sign up for it and we’re rapidly approaching that number!

I’m very pleased with the early response to the academy. We’ve been steadily receiving reservations from all across the country and Canada.

* Remember, the hotel also has limited space due to other large events in the area. Please register early and be sure to tell them you’re registering for the Writers’ Police Academy to receive our special rate. If you’ve already registered and didn’t ask for the rate please call the hotel. They’ll make the adjustment.

Our block of rooms is filling quickly.