Shooting Stars

By Laurie Olson

Following the death of a popular singer, journalist Laura Mackenzie stumbles upon a connection one of his lesser known songs shares with several other artworks created over the course of the twentieth century. All were produced in different mediums chosen by diverse artists, yet all bear the same name and use common imagery. As Laura unravels the message of the artworks and explores each artists inspiration, she is drawn into a series of coincidences, dreams, and visions that lead her to a stunning conclusion. Meanwhile, the experiences serve to open her heart to a new love and a new life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499084634

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Copyright © 2014 by Laurie Olson.

ISBN:      eBook         978-1-4990-8463-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/15/2014

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Contents

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REQUISITE DISCLAIMERS

CHAPTER ONE: THE SONG

CHAPTER TWO: THE DISCOVERY

CHAPTER THREE: THE VISIT

CHAPTER FOUR: THE PHOTOGRAPH

CHAPTER FIVE: THE POEM

CHAPTER SIX: THE QUILT

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE PAINTING

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE PUZZLE

CHAPTER NINE: THE DANCE

CHAPTER TEN: THE FOUNTAIN

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE BROOCH

CHAPTER TWELVE: THE RUG

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ENLIGHTENMENT

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE WORLD

For John Denver

(Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.)

"Shooting stars blaze a trail across the velvet sky

Far beyond the storm clouds where hopes never die

Like the memory of love, like the words of a song

The star has slowly faded but the trail blazes on"

(Courtesy of Steve Brook, Copyright 2004)

Preface

It would be an injustice not to preface Shooting Stars with the acknowledgement that the late John Denver (Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.) served as its primary inspiration. The book is not about John and is not intended to be a literal interpretation of his life. However, the basic messages of the book reflect what I and so many others learned from him. How Shooting Stars evolved is a story in itself.

Like legions around the globe, I was devastated when John left us in 1997. I had loved and admired him for 25 years and hearing the tragic news was one of those pivotal moments that you remember with vivid clarity. I knew that neither I nor the world would ever be the same.

Shortly after John died, I watched the movie Contact with my family. If you’ve seen it, you know it’s a compelling story. I remember saying, I wish I could write something like that; something that would make people think. The very next morning the idea for Shooting Stars popped into my head. In fact, it wasn’t just the idea; it was virtually the entire book.

This came as a complete surprise to me because my writing background is primarily journalism and other non-fiction. Although some facts and truths are woven into Shooting Stars, the story is what I would describe as metaphysical fiction. Nevertheless, it took only three months to finish the first draft—and that was despite working full-time in a demanding government job. Whenever I sat down at my home computer, I felt as though I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with the thoughts swirling in my head!

In the ensuing years, I have casually shared the book with friends, family, and some others who I thought might have an interest in it or perhaps an inclination to help get it in print. It was not until the fall of 2006, however, that I really felt obliged to make sure the story was heard outside of my small circle.

I was visiting with a good friend, Judy Therrien, in Monterey, California. In the course of our conversation, I happened to mention the book. She asked to read it so, after returning home to Nevada, I sent her a copy of the manuscript. Of course, being the supportive friend she always is, she heaped undeserved praise on me and then asked, "Have you heard the song Shooting Stars by Steve Brook?" I was embarrassed to say that I hadn’t even heard of Steve Brook. She explained that he is an accomplished singer/songwriter from Spain, and she loaned me a copy of the CD containing his musical homage to John. Little did I know that life was about to imitate art!

As you must know from the jacket of this book, the premise of Shooting Stars involves several different artworks, all with the same name, and all with a common theme. Imagine my shock and surprise when I heard Steve’s song for the first time. Not only do his song and my book bear the same name, but there are ingredients that are eerily similar. In particular, the use of specific imagery in our respective tributes to John is a powerful connection. We liken his life to a shooting star, celebrate nature, and emphasize the dream that we can someday all live together as one or, as Steve so poetically phrases it, every voice will sing as one. And this from two people who live on opposite sides of the world and, as of this writing, have never met except through the modern marvel of online messaging!

I always knew that Shooting Stars was a gift. As John sometimes said about his music, the story came to me from somewhere outside myself. I was never more certain of that than the first time I listened to Steve’s song and the profound coincidence literally took my breath away. Writing this preface now brings tears to my eyes. Who am I to be part of such a deeply meaningful chain of events? Needless to say, after that I knew there was no going back. I had to make sure that Shooting Stars, the book, was published.

I spent quite a bit of time prior to publication editing Shooting Stars. After nine years, you have the capacity to see things through fresh eyes and I was able to identify certain sections that could be more effective with a few creative revisions. In the course of the research necessary to make these changes, I learned some discouraging facts.

For a portion of Chapter Nine, I researched water quality reports issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As noted in that chapter, passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 was a celebrated milestone in environmental circles. The Act did lead to major improvements, at least initially. In 1970 only about 36 percent of our rivers and lakes were safe for swimming and fishing and, according to various sources, the percentage has increased by at least 19 percent for lakes and 24 percent for rivers. However, improvement has been more a dream than a reality in the last several years.

In my research, I primarily focused on the health of rivers and streams. I discovered that in 1992 the EPA reported that 56 percent of the assessed river miles fully supported their designated uses, about six percent supported their uses but were threatened, and 38 percent were fully or partially impaired. Unhappily, numbers in subsequent reports showed a disappointing backslide. In 2000, only 53 percent of the assessed river miles fully supported their designated uses, eight percent were threatened, and 39 percent were fully or partially impaired. Since then, the EPA has changed the way it presents its biennial water quality assessments and it’s difficult to continue making the same comparison. Nevertheless, it is clear that no real progress has been made in recent history. Even more disturbing are the efforts apparently afoot to weaken the Clean Water Act. A visit to the clean water page of the Sierra Club’s website is both enlightening and frightening.

Likewise, preserving and restoring the clarity of the water in Lake Tahoe, a sparkling jewel that straddles the California and Nevada borders, continues to be a struggle. As stated in Chapter Three of this book, in 1998 when the story takes place, the lake was losing a foot of clarity every year. A recent visit to the website of the League to Save Lake Tahoe indicates that, despite the league’s best efforts, clarity is still being lost at the rate of a foot a year because of increased fine sediments in the water and unnatural algae growth. The organization attributes the problem to excessive erosion, the destruction of wetlands, high levels of development, urban runoff, and air pollution. If definitive action is not taken soon, it may be too late to save this alpine gem, which Mark Twain once described as surely the fairest picture the whole Earth affords. As someone who lives in the shadow of the Sierras and Lake Tahoe, I can tell you that Twain’s sentiment was accurate and what is happening to this precious lake is a tragedy.

Finally, Nevada’s wild horse population has decreased dramatically just since I wrote the first draft of this book. As few as five years ago, wild horses grazed openly in the hills between the state capital of Carson City and Dayton where I live. They wandered on the outskirts of neighborhoods even in Reno, as mentioned on several pages of Shooting Stars. The sight of these beautiful horses roaming freely stopped visitors in their tracks and evoked pride in most locals. Today, I rarely see a wild horse… at all… anywhere. Development and government-sponsored thinning of herds have ravaged their numbers significantly. The devastation of this national treasure is not confined to Nevada. According to the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, six states have completely lost their wild horse populations and there are now more wild horses in government holding pens than remain in the wild.

Every day the headlines are full of reasons for us to be concerned about the future of this planet and the human race. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a forceful reminder of global warming as was the May 2007 announcement that scientists now believe there will be no summer ice in the Arctic Ocean by 2020, three decades sooner than previously predicted. The shocking World Trade Center attacks in September 2001 killed thousands and spurred more violence. Not only did the United States eventually invade Iraq, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that the already constant stream of hate crimes within our borders spiked significantly after September 11th. Outside our borders, the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 wiped out hundreds of thousands in the blink of an eye.

These are just a handful of the compelling reasons to step up environmental advocacy and find a way to live together on this Earth in peace and with an appreciation of our differences. In the 1970s, John Denver made everyone who heard his music care about the environment, wildlife, and humankind. Today, there are some who still care but, it seems, fewer who act. And, sadly, there are those who would ignore every environmental or humanitarian law on the books in order to get what they want or think they need.

We really cannot allow these destructive trends to continue, nor can we afford to believe that we as individuals are powerless. Together we can still make a difference. And we are together, united in purpose, even at those times we feel as though we are toiling all alone. Robert Frost once wrote about two men working in a garden. With the sharp blade of a scythe, one mowed the grass; the other came along after and turned it. The nature of their work did not offer the comfort of laboring side by side, but Frost recognized their kindred spirits and the value of their partnership. He closed with these words:

"‘Men work together’, I told him from the heart

‘Whether they work together or apart’."

As my work with Shooting Stars comes to a close, I am reminded of so many of John Denver’s songs that implore us to work together, to celebrate and protect nature, and to love and nurture each other. I would quote every one of them here if I thought it would help. Perhaps, though, it’s better for you to choose a favorite or even sing a melody of your own. Sing it loud. Sing it often. Sing it to anyone who wants to listen… but especially sing it to those who would prefer you kept quiet.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Wild Horse Preservation League in Northern Nevada.

Acknowledgements

Steve Brook—As mentioned in the preface, connecting with Steve Brook was a prime trigger to the publication of this book. Steve was born in the British colony of Gibraltar and has lived in both England and Spain. He is an extremely talented singer and songwriter, and has a relationship with his acoustic guitar that completely captures your heart. His song On Angels Wings, with its poignant line So long, Henry John, will bring tears to the eyes of any John Denver fan, although every song on every CD he has released is magical in its own way. My favorite, of course, is Shooting Stars, which is a beautiful tribute to John and his legacy. Steve graciously allowed me to use the chorus of his Shooting Stars (copyright 2004) in the dedication of this book. To learn more about Steve and his music, visit his website at www.stevebrook.com.

Sean McCool—My friend, Sean, is a singer/songwriter from Victoria, British Columbia. He is an accomplished, versatile musician and has worked with some of the most well-known bands in Western Canada. In addition, his compositions have won favor in major songwriting contests. We met serendipitously in 2003 while he was singing and playing lead guitar for a popular lounge band on the MS Zaandam. As the ship cruised through the majestic Alaska Inland Passage, we felt an instant rapport and have maintained a long-distance friendship ever since. He read Shooting Stars when it was still a draft and provided some valuable input. When I decided to publish it, I mentioned to Sean that I would like to set some of the lyrics in the book to music so that readers could actually hear the songs instead of just seeing the words. Within a very short time, he had all three of the primary songs roughed out and was working on the arrangements. As I listened to him sing to me over long-distance telephone lines, I felt Shooting Stars coming to life. His work is deeply appreciated. If you don’t have a copy of the Shooting Stars CD and would like one, contact me at [e-mail].

Joyce Holly Clarkson—Joyce is the artist who created the cover design for the Shooting Stars book and CD. She grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in a family of artists including architects, sculptors, and illustrators. She majored in scientific illustration, fine art, sculpture, and graphic design at Beaver College in Philadelphia and then traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, and Canada in search of inspiration and mentors. She has been a freelance artist for 10 years and now works primarily with new authors under the business name Diverse Design Studio. Her specialties are novel covers and children’s book illustrations. In order to achieve the depth of color she desires, her mediums of choice include pastels, oils and colored pencils. The illustration she did for Shooting Stars is pastel with approximately 40 layers. A print of the cover may be available soon, so if you’re interested, contact me at [e-mail]. If you would like to contact Joyce, her company’s website address is www.diversedesignstudio.com.

Jesse Olson—Jesse is my son. He is an electrician by trade but also has a natural talent for songwriting. We have spent many a late Saturday night in my living room playing around with different chords and lyrics, and sometimes actually finishing a song together. Along with my mother, we composed a country piece called Oh Lucky Me that is currently under contract with a music publisher. The reason Jesse is mentioned here is that one of the songs in Shooting Stars is actually his composition. It’s called Jenny and appears in Chapter Three. (All of the other lyrics in the book are my own creations; at least from a mortal standpoint.)

Judy Therrien—If you like John Denver, Judy is your friend even if you haven’t met her yet. She is the perennial sponsor, hostess, and/or supporter of any John Denver-esque gathering that takes place in the Monterey, California, area. With her husband, she has opened her home to many a visiting performer and the occasional itinerant guest. Judy is the quintessential selfless friend with a knack for making you feel like the most special person to ever walk into her life. She never ends a conversation or an e-mail message without saying something positive and expressing her heartfelt love. There is no one who provides more encouragement to those she cares about than Judy and this entry gratefully acknowledges her contribution to my decision to publish Shooting Stars.

Joyce Metzger Samsel—Joy is my mother. She lives with me in Northern Nevada and has been extremely supportive as I’ve spent night after night, weekend after weekend at the computer in our home office preparing Shooting Stars for publication. Her keen eye as a proofreader caught a few potentially embarrassing errors, and her sharp evaluation of content helped me ruthlessly weed out relatively trivial passages that added little to the progress of the storyline. Her help and support have been invaluable.

Gary Goldschneider—Gary is the author of The Secret Language of Birthdays, which is the basis for a conversation that the two main characters of Shooting Stars have in Chapter Eleven. While there are no direct quotes from Gary’s book, his insights are used in the interpretation of one of the running mysteries in Shooting Stars. I want to thank Gary for his efforts to help people understand themselves and each other. His extensive body of work is amazing. If you would like to learn more about Gary and the books he has authored, his website address is https://www.facebook.com/GGoldschneiderOfficial.

Henry Holt Company—The publishing company responsible for the estate of Robert Frost provided some valuable advice for the use of poetry and quotations attributed to the Pulitzer Prize winning poet. Lines from The Road Not Taken (Chapter Nine) and The Tuft of Flowers (Preface) are in the public domain since the original copyrights date back to 1916. Most recently these verses appear in The Poetry of Robert Frost edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Lathem’s anthology is also the repository of other poems mentioned but not quoted in Shooting Stars including Birches, A Brook in the City, and A Cabin in the Clearing. Other quotations woven into the storyline were found on various Internet websites not associated with the estate of Robert Frost and, as a result, I cannot guarantee their accuracy. (Note also that conversations the poet has with the heroine in the book are drawn from my personal interpretation of his thoughts and his verse. What he might actually say to our main character remains to be seen.)

Carl Jung—Quotes in Chapter Four attributed to Carl Jung are found in The Psychological Foundations of Belief in Spirits (1920) and Analytical Psychology: Its Theory and Practice: The Tavistock Lectures (1935). Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist born in 1875. Before he died in 1961, he had become known as the father of analytical psychiatry yet, interestingly enough, today his work is not commonly incorporated into university psychology curricula. His timeless and fascinating theories concerning synchronicity, the collective unconscious, and archetypes played a key role in the development of Shooting Stars.

James Van Praagh—James is a well-known medium and the author of several books including Talking to Heaven. James and this book are mentioned during two separate conversations in Chapter Eight of Shooting Stars. There are no direct quotes from James’ book, but his experiences as a clairsentient and clairvoyant are helpful as the characters attempt to decipher certain metaphysical occurrences. I will take this opportunity to express my appreciation to James for his unique contributions to the world. If you would like to know more about him, his website address is www.vanpraagh.com.

Vermont Institute of Natural Science—This award-winning organization receives only a brief mention in Chapter Nine of Shooting Stars. However, its valuable work on behalf of the environment deserves an acknowledgement on this page. VINS grew out of a grassroots effort to clean up the once dangerously polluted Ottauquechee River. In 1998, when the events of this book take place, VINS was headquartered in Woodstock. Today, the organization occupies a beautiful piece of land beside the Quechee Gorge where it offers a multitude of educational activities for children and adults, encourages citizen research, and maintains a remarkable raptor center. Their amazing work is known and replicated worldwide. If you would like to know more about VINS, visit their website at www.vinsweb.org.

Everyone Else—To everyone not mentioned here who read pre-publication drafts of Shooting Stars and encouraged me to move forward, thank you. In particular, this appreciation is extended to my ex-husband Peter Olson, daughter Jennifer Walker, sister Leslie Smith, brother Jesse Samsel, sister-in-law Barbara Olson, and friend Jan Grant.

Requisite Disclaimers

In Shooting Stars, the character known as Jack Diamond is not a mirror image of John Denver (Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.) to whom this book is lovingly dedicated. Events, accomplishments, and relationships attributed to Jack Diamond are fictional and not a literal depiction of John’s life. Instead, the character of Jack Diamond embodies, in general terms, the tremendous impact John had on the world through his music and his environmental and humanitarian pursuits.

References in the book to various religious faiths are based on the author’s research and her interpretation of the information gathered. Explanations of beliefs and doctrines are not intended to represent the official position of any faith’s leaders or members.

References to real persons, living or dead, are based on information readily accessible on the Internet, in books, and in other publications. Any explanation of the philosophies and theories of these persons reflect the author’s interpretation of available information. Any commentary is the sole opinion of the author.

Descriptions and locations of public places, such as national and state parks, are based on information readily available to anyone who wishes to research and/or visit these sites. The same is true for certain organizations such as the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, the Sierra Club, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Private locations, such as characters’ homes and various business enterprises, are fictional. Following fictional directions discussed in the book will not lead the reader to an actual story location.

Chapter One

The Song

Laura was so immersed in the pages of her latest selection from the paperback exchange that she nearly leapt off the sofa when the telephone rang. She fumbled with the receiver and, with trembling hands, managed to raise it to her ear.

Hello? She was barely able to choke out the word, reflecting her fear of a call so late on the last night of the year. A time when most normal people were out with friends joyfully counting down the seconds until midnight.

Laura? came the voice of her editor. I know it’s awfully late. Hope I didn’t wake you. I’m at the office and I need you to come in.

Oh Rick, she said with relief. His tone had the urgent quality it assumed when he was up against a deadline. Still, it was far more soothing to her racing heart than would be the sympathetic voice of the group home operator—the person she most dreaded hearing from. You scared me. I thought it was a call about my grandmother.

Sorry, came his quick reply.

That’s okay. And you didn’t wake me, she said, shaking off her needless alarm. "What’s going on? Must be some story to get you to the newsroom on the liveliest night of the year in Reno."

It’s some story, all right. But not a good one. It’s Jack Diamond. He was killed in a car wreck up at the lake tonight. I’ve called in Mark to cover the news angle. I’d like you to paw through the files and do a retrospective on his career and his life here. We need it for the morning edition.

Wait a second, Rick. You’re going too fast, Laura said, her relief suddenly turning to confused shock. Jack Diamond? Our Jack Diamond? The singer? Dead?

Yes, Laura. Our Jack Diamond. How soon can you get here?

Thirty minutes.

Laura hung up the phone and stared at it for a moment in disbelief. Jack Diamond. The ’70s songwriter whose contagious music had given a voice to nature and celebrated the diversity of man. Whose popularity among the masses waned as the nation’s focus turned from environmentalism to an obsession with material possessions in the ’80s. Who made his home at Lake Tahoe not more than 50 highway miles from Laura’s hillside cabin in the Washoe Valley of Nevada, and far less if she could fly over the mountains that separated the windy gorge from the awesome alpine lake.

The singer had claimed the mountains that formed the Lake Tahoe basin as his home near the beginning of his rise as a superstar. Born DeJanovich, he changed his name to Diamond in tribute to the lake, which he referred to as a jewel in the mountains. It was a pleasant coincidence that the peak where he and his wife, Jenny, built their modest estate was also called Diamond.

He was so young, Laura thought as she folded her red plaid Pendleton blanket. Was it only moments ago that it had warmed her legs while she relaxed in front of the slowly dying fire?

Let’s see… wow, he just turned 54 today. She remembered easily because they shared the same birthday. Every year during her childhood, her parents ritually informed friends that their little girl was born the same day as their favorite singer, although 26 years later. Laura had grown bored with the coincidence and saw nothing extraordinary about it. She would have preferred exclusive attention on her special day. All that was in the past, of course. Now she could barely tolerate anyone remembering her birthday at all, let alone make plans to celebrate it. She favored solitude, a warm fire, and a good book.

She tugged on her fur-lined snow boots, leather gloves and down jacket, tucked her golden head into a snug ski hat, and picked up a cluster of keys from the scarred pine table by the door. She hesitated, then retreated a few steps to pat Lucy. The golden retriever raised her head only slightly and thumped her tail on the braided rug in front of the stone hearth.

I don’t blame you, girl. I’d rather stay here where it’s cozy, too. Don’t wait up for me, she said before shutting the door behind her.

Laura’s red Jeep Wrangler was as cold as the crusted snow lining the gravel driveway. She turned up the heat as far as it would go, but knew she would be half way to the office before the chill began to subside.

Dang, she said aloud. Should have put on my thermals under these jeans.

As she turned onto the paved road heading north, she reached for the radio dial.

Well, its just a few more minutes until 1997 becomes 1998, the announcer was saying. "If you haven’t heard this already, I’m sorry to be the one to break bad news on this beautiful starry night. Jack Diamond has been killed in a one-car accident not far from his home near Incline Village. Jack was sometimes described as a national treasure, although sadly that happened mostly when middle-aged politicians wanted his support to prove their commitment to the environment. Locally, we knew him as someone who was a staunch supporter of preserving the clarity of Lake Tahoe, nurturing the forests, and protecting wildlife. And, of course, he was a remarkable singer who gave us some of the most memorable music of our time.

Now, as we prepare to enter the New Year, the announcer went on, "I’d like to pay tribute to Jack by playing one of his lesser known but most beautiful pieces. We all know the words to his standards like My Sierra Mountain Home and Sailing a Dream by heart. But Jack wrote dozens, maybe hundreds, of other songs that were just as beautiful, if not more so. Unfortunately, they never made it to the radio after his star faded. Only die-hard fans who attended his later performances were privy to some of this work. I’ve snuck this next song in a few times over the years because it’s my all-time favorite. It’s called Heaven’s Jewels and, if you listen to the words, you’ll see that the first verse has something of a prophetic ring to it. This is for you, Jack, wherever you are."

Laura was entranced with the song as soon as Jack Diamond strummed the first chord. It was like nothing she had ever heard before. The music was typical of some of his most popular work. Simple guitar strumming and picking, a little percussion and bass, a few chords on the keyboard here and there, some striking harmonies with his backup vocalists. Somehow, though, the combination in this song was just a little more special, a little more soul stirring. And the words… Laura hung on every one.

A star that streaks across the sky

Is one of Heaven’s jewels

It flashes with a dazzling heat

And, just as quick, it cools

It’s like the life of one who lives

A few but brilliant years

Who leaves behind a special gift

That moves the world to tears

Our Mother Earth shines like a gem

Within the universe

She’s like one shiny silver dime

Midst the pennies in your purse

She’s like a song that God composed

When He made up His mind

To create a wondrous home for us

A jewel, one of a kind

For Heaven’s jewels,