LEAVING CALIFORNIA compiles 76 poems that merge the line of harsh reality and paranoia, beauty and reflection, and the wisdom of the escape artist. There are amends and curses amongst stories that one can only tell once they've seen everything and everything collapse. A brilliant work of true transformation, these poems also chronicle Lanegan's exit from California for the literal greener pastures of Ireland. As someone who has survived it all, he must have known this move was the next level of perseverance. There's a pacing anxiety leading up to the move, turbulence in the transition, and a calm consideration once he's settled. In many ways this is part two of Lanegan's best selling 2020 novel, Sing Backwards and Weep, where loose ends are tied and others left for dead. Intro by Wesley Eisold. Poetry.

Job Mercer has lived a life few would envy. After enduring the ravages of war in Vietnam, he made his way home to a better life. He had weathered quite a few hardships by the time I found him. Job had spent some time in prison and found just as much grief outside as he did inside. Somehow, through it all, he survived, but it has not been easy. With nothing left to lose, Job makes a bold move, vowing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in search of something more. If he is lucky, he'll find what he is looking for out there. If he fails, he'll carry on just like he always has, even if it breaks him.

Who in their right mind, in their late 70's, after living in San Diego for 40 years (35 in the same home) would pack up and move to the small East Texas city of Lufkin? John and Patti Culea did that, moving into their dream home on May 1, 2020. The reasons they did it were shared in "Goodbye California: Why it was time to leave and how we did it". Seven months later, what's the verdict? The answers are in "We Left California for Texas: So how did that go?" John and Patti share their adventure, the surprises, disappointments, unusual discoveries, challenges, new words, and especially the difference between Texans compared with Californians. You'll enjoy the laughs and feel the exhilaration of living on what seems to be a new, people-friendly planet. There were bizarre moments in the first six months, including three new cars in 30 days, a white Cadillac that was turning pink and a hibernating terrapin. John's 19th book is perhaps his most personal and reflects gratitude beyond words for God's blessing.