Teresa Keefer - Author
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If I Had a Billion Dollars…

4/24/2018

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I was listening to a local radio station the other day and they do hashtag challenges periodically where 
listeners call in with their most creative hashtag responses. Well, because I was on my way to work 
where we don’t get to listen to local radio stations because we have satellite radio that plays the same 
crummy music over and over, I didn’t get to listen to the responses. But it gave me an idea for this 
week’s blog…
I pondered the question most of the evening. What would I do if I had a billion dollars? Honestly, I don’t 
think I could ever spend a billion dollars. First on the list would be to walk in and hand in my resignation 
at work. Sayonara folks. This human resource person is tired of dealing with humans that quit acting like 
humans about ten years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and most of the people I work with…but 
the 80/20 rule is true…80 percent of my time has been spent dealing with the 20 percent of the people 
who would complain if someone handed them a million bucks because they would have to pay taxes. 
The next thing I would do would be to set up a bank account for each of my children to use for 
necessities such as buying their own home. Not mansions. Homes that they could have anywhere in the 
world that belonged to them and not a mortgage company or bank. Where they can do whatever they 
want to do.
I’d set up a charity for those forgotten folks who work their tails off and get nowhere fast. The ones who 
don’t live off the public assistance train. I’d put my oldest daughter in charge of deciding who would get 
money for college, housing, day care assistance, legal help…things that could put them ahead of the 
game instead of behind the eight ball. My oldest daughter would be the perfect administrator of such a 
charity because of the job she’s held investigating public assistance fraud. She knows a system leech 
when she sees one.
Because of my youngest daughter’s struggle with addiction, I’d put her in charge of setting up a 
treatment center for addicts who want to get better. And I’d put it smack dab in the middle of nowhere 
so that these folks can get the help they need to get clean and work through the issues that got them 
there in the first place without the outside world getting in. And I’d only charge what they could afford 
to pay. No insurance? No problem. Just get well and give back to other addicts by volunteering your 
time at the treatment center.
Me, I’d buy about two hundred acres of land with woods, pasture and tillable land. There, I would build 
a log cabin over the top of a bunker. There would be a nice big barn where I could raise my own meat, 
have horses to ride, and run a rescue for animals. I’d buy a tractor to plow my fields and grow all my 
own food. There would be a pond for fish. And the whole farm would be powered by a wind turbine. 
Sorry, electric company, you’ve gotten the last dollar out of me. 
Of course, I would have to buy a few vacation properties for when I want to get away from the utopia of 
my farm. I’m thinking a cottage in Ireland, a shotgun double in New Orleans, and a cabin in the 
wilderness of Alaska. Those, I would rent out by the week when I’m not in residence. 
I’d put my best friend in charge of investing the better portion of my money. He’s the only one I’d trust 
to make the right decisions. I jokingly told him when he gave me the idea for my current book that when 
we made a million dollars from our book, we’d have to just retire from our jobs early. He said it would 
be my money, not his and I assured him that if a book that he gave me the idea for ever made a million dollars he could damn sure count on me giving him half. His response? Just get him a $10,000 four-wheeler that he could put his dog box in and go hunting. Ok. If I had a billion dollars, he would damn sure be able to go hunting as often as he wanted and wherever he wanted. He may just have to take me every so often, though.
His son would benefit as well. This young man that I was fortunate enough to watch grow up from the 
time he was five would get his share of the billion the same as my daughters would. And, I know he 
would use the money wisely because he was raised by a man who taught him well. He could use his 
money for whatever he wanted. 
What would I do beside build my cabin and barn and start farming? I’d travel to places that I’ve never 
been. I’d explore the cliffs in Ireland and have dinner at the local pub where I could listen to Irish folk 
tunes. I’d stay in a castle. I’d go to Hawaii and stay in a beach house for a month and let the warm Pacific 
breezes lull me to sleep at night. I’d go fishing in Alaska and hunker down in front of a fire in a cabin in the wilderness. I’d go to the Australian outback and take photos of the animals. I’d go to Mardi Gras and 
stay in one of the hotels overlooking Bourbon Street. I’d explore haunted houses and take flying lessons. 
And when I settled back on my farm again…I’d write. After all this dreaming and planning, I see it’s almost time for me to go get ready for work. Back to my double life as a human resource professional and struggling author. But it sure was nice to dream. 
What would you do if you had a billion dollars? Think about it…take a trip through the field of dreams…it does a soul good.

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Spring Time? Or April Fool’s?

4/14/2018

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Well, it looks like the groundhog wasn’t quite right this year. Here we are in the first week of April and instead of April showers bringing May flowers, we have wind and snow beating up on the first buds of the trees. Last week, the robins were singing and the bunnies hopping, but today they are all snuggled up in whatever shelter they can find. Maybe Mother Nature is a bit confused or maybe she needs some medication. Must be menopause.
I know I’m ready to put on some shorts and do some barefoot gardening. I’ve ordered the seeds and the plants and waiting patiently for them to arrive. More so, I’m waiting for the weather to cooperate. Lots of work to do around here this spring and summer. Like new siding on the house and landscaping that can’t be done until the siding is complete.
Of course, I also have the lake place that is calling my name. I have my old furniture sitting on the back porch just waiting to go to its new home at the lake. There are fishing poles and maybe even a boat to find. And I’m hoping I get to spend some writing time up there as well.
Writing is going slow. I’m working on a book that is an entirely different genre than my usual romance or erotica. I will soon be introducing my alter ego. Ann Nevada. The ideas of a very special and intelligent man coupled with the writing ability of a romance writer. Not sure how this political thriller will turn out, but I’m really excited at getting it completed and released. Hopefully, later this month.
I’m preparing for Wild Deadwood Reads in June. My goodness, I had so much fun and met so many great people last year. I’ll be sponsoring a trail ride, going to the rodeo, going on a ghost hunt, and taking along a friend this year. I hope she enjoys herself as much as I did last year. It’s a wonderful place. Steeped in history. Beautiful scenery. And we’ll cross our fingers it doesn’t rain or end up being in the upper nineties like it was last year.  I can’t wait to go to the wineries and toss some money in the slot machines. Or watch those awesome eight second rides.
It is also exciting to know that I got to participate with a group of awesome authors in creating the anthology. So many great stories set in Deadwood. Something for everyone. Watch for it to release on June 1st just in time for the signing on June 9th. And if you watch my blog and my Facebook page, one lucky winner will get a copy of their own. Signed by all the contributing authors. And the best thing is, all the proceeds go to a great cause! The Western Sports Foundation.
Well, I just wanted and needed to take a break from the thriller writing and say hello. It’s time for me to get back to Washington D.C. and San Antonio, Texas where a lunatic with a gun is holding a senator’s daughter hostage. Will she get saved? Watch for the release of The 2nd coming this spring! Have a great week and don’t forget to email me if you would like to be included in my newsletter mailing list where readers can get exclusive offers that nobody else does! Happy Spring and April Fool’s and Happy Easter!!​​
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    Author

    I love the peace and quiet of living in the country.  It inspires me and refreshes me at the end of a long day.

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