I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

                          (Don Travis - the greatest man I will ever know.)


It was 25 years ago today that I lost the greatest man I will ever know -- my dad.

He was a fighter, but he succumbed to cancer on Dec. 28, 1987. I still remember that day. I wish I couldn't.

             (His body may be here in Hudson, Ohio, but his spirit lives on in my heart.)


But that's just one sad moment. There are so, so, so many great moments and memories I have of my dad. Of my Pops.

 

                      (He was always a loving, nurturing father.)


He was all about family. My Pops loved my mom. Love doesn't seem like a big enough word. He adored her. He cherished her.

                                                        
                                (My dad cherished my mom.)


And I know he loved his boys -- Scott, Gregg and me -- as well.

His love of family started out at a young age. My Pops was close with his only sibling, his sister, Marcia.

                             (My dad and his sister, Marcia.)


That love was evident with his family. He cared for us...deeply. He had a giant heart.

             (Younger and older, my dad often wore a smile. I try to emulate that today.)

He didn't just love us kids. He loved the kids he taught as well. My dad was an awesome Spanish teacher at Shaker Heights High School. The students loved him in return.

                  (My dad loved his students, and the students loved him.)

I remember my dad talking about his students and smiling. He really cared about them.

I remember my dad helping me with my Spanish homework. I really liked that!

I remember my dad sitting in his rocking chair in a corner of the room, a perfect place to watch television and relax.

I remember my dad picking up our dog, Scamp, and holding him in his lap. Nobody else could do that.

I remember my dad listening to Cleveland Indians' and Cleveland Cavaliers' games on the radio. I would walk in and say, "What's the score, Pops?" He would say something like, "4 to 2" or "77 to 72." He would never say who was winning. I guess maybe because I didn't ask. But that ALWAYS gave me a chuckle.

I remember having to go to bed on Monday nights so I could get some sleep and be ready for school on Tuesdays. My Pops would ALWAYS write down the final score of the Monday Night Football game for me... and who won!!... and leave it for me at my place at the kitchen table.

I remember huddling together and watching Cleveland Browns' games on television. We would cheer on Bernie Kosar and the boys. They actually used to be good!

I remember him taking me to a Cavaliers game, and we had the time of our life.

I remember him taking me to an Indians game, and he wouldn't sit down until we got the autograph of my favorite player.

I remember him cutting the grass, and getting his lawn just right.

I remember him lying in the sun, working on that perfect tan. My dad REALLY, REALLY liked his sun.

I remember his quickness at cleaning off the kitchen table and grabbing plates...even though the rest of the family was still eating.

I remember vacations with him and the whole family...trips to Myrtle Beach. That place will always hold a special place in my heart.

I remember him cheering for me at Little League games. We would go for ice cream at Saywell's in Hudson after games, win or lose.

I remember him walking around and having funny sayings, like, "Woogie! Woogie!" He made us laugh... A LOT!

He's gone physically, but he's still very much in my heart. He still inspires me. In fact, it took some time, but I finally wrote a book, thanks in large part to my Pops. I dedicated the book to him.

         (Home Run from Heaven, my first book, is dedicated to my Pops.)

I am a little sad today, but I am happy as well. I am happy that God blessed me with such a great dad. I am happy that God gave me 23 years of great memories with my Pops.

I will always remember your laugh, Pops.

I will always remember your smile, Pops.

I will always cherish our memories, Pops.

I will always keep you close to my heart, Pops.

I will always love you, Pops.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas has always meant family to me. Getting to spend time with the ones you love...you can't go wrong there. Some of my favorite memories about Christmas are just being with my mom and dad and brothers. Time has a way of changing things....

When I was a kid, Christmas meant presents to me. Oh, I couldn't wait to rush down the stairs to see what Santa had left.

Of course, I didn't know what Christmas was all about in my early days. I just knew that I liked to be held. My dad and my older brother, Scott, did a good job of doing just that. For some reason, I think I remember feeling safe.

  

I can still remember galloping down the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Of course, galloping down the stairs was a bit tricky when you had a bar stuck between your feet. Ahh, the joys of wearing a leg cast. My parents did this because I was an unruly child. The leg cast prevented me from running away. I KID! I KID! I was born with bad hips and, thus, the reason for the cast. By the way, that's me on the left checking out what my older brother, Scott, got.

I loved spending time with my dad. As you can see, I graduated from a leg cast to leg braces. I blame this on why I never made it professionally as a baseball player or football player. (Well, that and the lack of skills.) I still remember that tearing sound of the velcro, the uncomfortable shoes and not being able to move quite as quickly as I would have liked. But I also remember cuddling with my dad. My gosh, I love that man. (And there again is Scott, trying to cheese in on cuddle time. I KID! I KID!)

As I got a bit older, I still loved presents. But I think I loved my dog more. Here I am on the left holding our dog, Scamp. There is a dog book to the left, a sweet television behind me, and my little brother, Gregg, wearing a sweet sweater, to my right.

For the record, my dad was a stud. He's just straight chillin' on the left and, well, straight chillin' on the right. Sure was a handsome guy, right?

He was a good family man. I know he loved us. That's for sure. And we sure loved him.

He was one of the funniest guys I ever knew. He was quick with a joke or a laugh. He didn't take things too seriously. I see a lot of my dad in me, and that makes me proud and happy.

My dad wasn't just a funny guy. He was an awesome teacher as well. He was a Spanish teacher for several years at Shaker Heights High School near Cleveland, Ohio. The students loved him!

I've got a lot of great memories of my dad. At Christmas if I got him Aramis cologne or a pen, he would be a mighty happy man.

I remember him being in charge of throwing away the wrapping paper on Christmas Day. We would tear open our gifts, throw the wrapping paper his way and he would shove it down in a big plastic trash bag. Sometimes he would hold our dog, Scamp, in his lap while doing so. Scamp wouldn't let anybody else do that but my dad.

I remember him always sitting in his rocking chair. He loved that rocking chair. And he loved us. He loved his kids. He adored my mom.

It's hard to believe, but on Dec. 28, my dad will have been gone for 25 years. Ever since he got sick and succumbed to cancer in 1987, Christmas has never been the same to me. There are mixed feelings of sadness and joy.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. But I think about him even more at this time of the year. I used to wonder what life would be like if he were still with us. I wondered if he would have been proud of me.

I finally realized that he is still with me. He's very much with me. He's still on my mind and, more importantly, he's still in my heart. Where he will always be.

I thank God for the time that I did get to spend with my dad. My dad continues to be an inspiration.

Like I said, Christmas has always meant family to me. Getting to spend time with the ones you love...you can't go wrong there. Some of my favorite memories about Christmas are just being with my mom and dad and brothers. Time has a way of changing things....

We may not always be together physically, but we'll always be together spiritually. My family will always be in my heart.

Merry Christmas, Pops!!

I love you!!

SKYLER'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

Need a last-minute gift or stocking stuffer? How about getting a book written by a famous author? Or how about getting a book written by a ruggedly handsome, dashing, fearless macho man? Or even better yet....how about getting a book written by me?!?!

Skyler's Magical Christmas, published on Dec. 6 of this year, is my second book. It is my first book geared more toward children (ages 1 to 99). Hey, isn't there a little kid in all of us?

 

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:

Skyler has been a good girl all year long. The sweet, silly, pretty eight-year-old, who has long blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a huge smile, wants what many kids want for Christmas. Skyler wants a puppy. The family already owns one dog, an old, quiet gal by the name of Tasha. But Skyler wants a puppy to call her very own. When Skyler wakes up and races to see what is under the tree on Christmas morning, she sees that her wish has come true. She gets a cute puppy that she names Rowdy. But that’s not the only surprise Skyler gets. The Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits that Santa gives Skyler for the dogs make for an even bigger surprise. It all leads to some silly adventures for Skyler, Rowdy, and Tasha.

THE REVIEWS:

It has received some great reviews already, and I sincerely thank those of you who have left them. The three reviews on Amazon all earned 5 out of 5 stars!

First of all, this is a delightful story...,
This story really was delightful. Full of Christmas magic, fun puppy shenanigans, and lots of warmth, it's a story all ages can enjoy. I read it in one short sitting and found myself giggling out loud many times. I plan to have my third grader read it, too. I can see this becoming a Christmas tradition at our house for many Christmases to come! Great job, Kevin Travis!


Great Story!
I just loved this story! It's one of those reads that pull you in from the first paragraph. Well written and just one of those strories that make you want to believe in Santa and Christmas! I recommend this to all ages. Kids will enjoy it as much as this middle aged adult did! Nice job!


The perfect holiday gift!!
I bought this in Kindle format, because my daughter is getting a Kindle for Christmas! What a wonderful way for her to begin her Kindle adventure, but through a well-written story about a girl and magical biscuits!! This book is easy to read and a pleasure to read, and would make for the perfect gift this Christmas!

HOW TO GET THE BOOK:

You can order a paperback copy ($6.99 plus shipping) from Createspace.com via Amazon at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Skylers-Magical-Christmas-believe/dp/1481193988/ref=la_B009SCI224_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355507619&sr=1-2


You can order a Kindle/digital copy ($0.99 cents) via Amazon at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Skylers-Magical-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00AJWFMRU/ref=la_B009SCI224_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1355507619&sr=1-3


You can order a signed copy from me ($8.00, which includes shipping). Just send me an email to:
kevtrav77@yahoo.com.


If you want a copy of both my books, or my first book, "Home Run from Heaven," you can obtain those at the link below. Or, again, if you want signed copies, email me at kevtrav77@yahoo.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224

A SNEAK PEAK WITH PICTURES:

My friend, Skyler, is on the cover of Skyler's Magical Christmas. I loved this kid from the moment I met her -- on a softball field during a tournament. I interviewed her about the tournament. This sweet, young girl gave me a better interview than a lot of the high school, college and pro athletes I have covered! (Thank you to Skyler and her parents, Joyce and David, for their help with this project.)

EXCERPTS from SKYLER'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS.....

Skyler, who is pretty and sweet, is eight years old.  She has long blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a really sweet smile.

 

 

 

 

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“You are a smart little girl,” Santa said.  “I certainly have.  I know you have been a really good girl this year.  I’ve got your list, but go ahead and tell Santa again exactly what you want.”

Skyler smiled.  It was a smile that seemed to light up even brighter than the Christmas tree next to Santa’s chair.  She looked into Santa’s eyes and said just two words.

“A puppy!”

 

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It was true.  Skyler and her family already had a dog.  Tasha was a nine-year-old female Olde English Bulldogge.  She was short, stocky, and powerful looking.  Tasha had short white hair and a little stub of a tail.  She looked tough, but she was super sweet.  Tasha could get a little grumpy at times if she didn’t get lots of rest.  She was rather lazy and wanted to sleep ninety-nine percent of the time.

 

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Skyler can be a girly-girl like her mom, wanting to play dress up and have tea with her dolls.  She can also be a tomboy, taking after her dad, who played football and baseball in high school.  Skyler is a great softball player.  She is also a cheerleader.

 

 

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“Are you ready, little girl?” Santa asked.  “Come tell Santa what you want for Christmas.”

Skyler gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek and then ran to Santa.  She looked up at him, smiled, jumped up, and landed on Santa’s lap. 

 

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“You will find out on Christmas,” the jolly man said.  “I think you will be most happy with what they can do.  But before you open the biscuit bag, you have to say, ‘I believe.  I believe.  I believe.’  Otherwise, they won’t work.”

“I do believe,” Skyler said.  “I believe in you, and I believe in the Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits.”

 

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TASHA WAS SWEET, BUT she was a bit older.  She could be a little stubborn.  If somebody called her, she would go… but only if she wanted.  If somebody told her to sit, she would… but only if she wanted.  If somebody wanted her to lie down… well, Tasha was pretty much always lying down and snoring.  Tasha liked to sleep.

 

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It ended up being one of Skyler’s favorite days of all.  She and her mom made snow angels.  She and her dad built a snowman.

All three had a snowball fight.  And all three went sledding.  Skyler and her dad were really good about staying on the sled all the way down the hill.  The mom never quite got the hang of it.  The three laughed and laughed.

 

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“Santa did it!” Skyler yelled.  “Santa got me the puppy I wanted!”

 

 

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Just then, it started to snow.  Tasha did not like the snow.  Rowdy loved it.  He liked to run around in it.  He liked to stand still, stick out his tongue, and let snowflakes land on it.

 

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Too late.  Rowdy was gone.  He ran like crazy to the outfield, picked up the ball in his mouth, and then ran back on the infield.

 

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The family took the dogs with them on vacation to the beach.  It was Tasha’s ninth trip to the beach.  She did not get too excited about it.  In fact Tasha treated the beach much like home.  She slept.  She slept A LOT!

Rowdy was super excited.  It was his first trip to the beach.  He could not wait to get out and explore.

Skyler put on her bathing suit.  She put on her sunglasses and grabbed a plastic bucket and a shovel.

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More weeks passed until it was Halloween.  Skyler dressed up as a pirate.  She dressed Tasha like a cheerleader and Rowdy like a lion.

 “I still don’t see why we can’t eat some of your chocolate candy,” Rowdy said to Skyler.  “You certainly got a lot of it.”

Tasha tried to explain it to Rowdy again.

 

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Skyler thanked Santa, gave him a hug, and hopped off his lap.  She took a few steps away and then turned around to say something to Santa.

“I will always believe!”

 

GO BIG RED!!

GO BIG RED!! STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND!!

In honor of the Bellevue Redmen football team preparing to play for its first state championship in football, I am posting some of my favorite photos from when I covered the Redmen. 

After graduating from Bowling Green State University, I accepted a job as a reporter at the Bellevue Gazette in 1990. I got to cover such "exciting" things as city council meetings and budget meetings.

When Neil Carlson, the sports editor at the time, couldn't cover a game on a Friday night, that job fell to me. I still remember that game to this day: It was the Bellevue Redmen against the Bucyrus Redmen. I was nervous about covering the game, but I enjoyed every second of it. I fell in love with the Bellevue football team that day. As they say, you never forget your first love.

 

 

GREAT PLAYERS

I ended up covering the Redmen from 1990 to 2000. I covered several great teams, most of them winning NOL championships. I covered some truly remarkable players: Eddie Baptista, Chad Kuhns, Russ Kuhns, Brad Bollinger, Randy Bollinger, John Bollinger, Danny Paul, Tommy Mygrant, Jason Nichols, Dan Rospert, Ryan Irons, Bubba Nottke, Brad Snyder, Mike Loparo, Justin Journay, Duke Fox, Pete Lepley, Aaron Schoen, Nate Artino, Brandon Branco, Courtney DeLuca, Chris Sharp, Brian Hughes, Brad Rohrbacher and so many others.

GREAT COACHES

The coaching staff was incredible. Coach Ed Nasonti seemed like he could be a bit intimidating at first, especially to a rookie reporter, but he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He truly loves his hometown of Bellevue, he truly loves his Redmen football, he truly loves his fans and he truly loves his family. His players look up to him for a reason. I couldn't be happier for, or prouder of, Coach Nasonti.

He's got some great assistant coaches as well. Some of my favorites that I worked with are Coach Lilli, Coach Raifsnider, Coach Hofacker and Coach Meador.

I enjoyed spending my Friday nights on the field at BAF Stadium. I loved watching the kids rush onto the field behind their coach. I loved watching them work their tails off each game. They were great players but, even better than that, they were great young men. Classy young men.

 

GREAT CHEERLEADERS

The whole game-day atmosphere was special to me. The stands were always packed with great fans. I loved the student-athletes who took up the first few rows and cheered on their classmates so loudly. They were proud to be Redmen. They are still proud to be Redmen.

The cheerleaders were awesome too. They truly loved what they were doing, awesome gals like Carolyn Wenner, Angie Bickhart, Kathryn Malott, Heather Rutherford, Val Gohlike, Liz Studer and Cindy Brooks. And the band was always amazing.

 

GREAT MEMORIES

Even though I've been gone for 12 years, I still think about Coach Nasonti, the Bellevue Redmen, and the city of Bellevue fondly. Some of the best years of my life were spent in Bellevue. I've covered several teams over the years, and I've covered many levels of football, from high school to college to the pros, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Redmen.

In fact, Bellevue, the Redmen and Coach Nasonti are key aspects in my book, "Home Run from Heaven." Here is what the book is about:

Dylan Bell, a freshman in high school, grew up idolizing his father, who played ten years of Major League Baseball.  When his father passed away because of cancer, Dylan was heartbroken.  But thanks to a loving family, a supportive girlfriend, a close bond with teammates, a crazy puppy, and a strong faith, Dylan grows as a baseball player and as a young man.  With a little bit of help, and a lot of faith, Dylan just may be able to lead the Hudson Redmen to a place they have never been before in school history.

Here are two blurbs from the book:

Coach Nasonti gives us his best pre-game speech of the season.  He gives everybody in the dugout goose bumps.  Coach certainly knows how to get us fired up.

                “Look, fellahs.  You know what’s on the line tonight,” Coach Nasonti says, while rubbing a baseball in his hands.  “We all know that pitcher over there is good.  And he’s big.  But you know what, fellahs?  The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

                “Yeah, the bigger they are, the harder they fall,” Brian yells from behind the dugout, before racing back to do his job as crowd energizer.

                “I tell you what, fellahs.  I believe in you,” Coach Nasonti continues.  “I know Coach Raifsnider believes in you, too.  I know these fans believe in you.  I know you believe in each other.  That’s half the battle right there, fellahs.  Now let’s go send those other boys home.  Get your hands in here.”

                We all put our hands together and chant, “Together! Believe! Faith! Redmen!"


We pile off one another and then head to right field to listen to Coach Nasonti’s post game speech.

“I’m going to keep this one short and sweet, fellahs,” Coach Nasonti announces.  “There is a long tradition of Redmen greatness.  When you put on the red and white uniform, I want you to wear it with pride.  I want you to look at that feather and be proud.  I know each and every one of you has done that this season.  Win or lose, I’m proud of you.  You guys have shown great character besides being great players, and that makes me even prouder.”

For more information about the book, or if you want to order one or get a Kindle version, clink on the link or send me a message to kevtrav77@yahoo.com. I would be happy to sign a book for you.


http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224

SO DARN PROUD

I'm so darn proud of Coach Nasonti and the Redmen. One of my favorite memories is sitting on Coach Nasonti's porch and talking about football, and about life, with him.

I'm looking forward to doing that again...talking about life, and talking about Bellevue's first state championship after the Redmen beat Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary on Saturday. Make some history!!

GO BIG RED!!

 

 

 

Win a free signed copy of HOME RUN FROM HEAVEN

It may be my birthday on Thursday, November 1, but I'm giving YOU a chance to win a free signed paperback copy of Home Run from Heaven.

I will be awarding six copies in all. There are two ways to win.

BUY A KINDLE VERSION AND WIN

The first way to win is to buy the Kindle version of Home Run from Heaven. The cost is just $0.99 cents. That is less than $1!! (DUH) All you have to do is read the book, and then leave a review of the book on the Amazon.com page. Once you do that, simply leave me a message on my Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.travis that you did it. I will be picking three random names as the winners.

To obtain the book and leave your review, click on the link here: http://www.amazon.com/Home-Run-from-Heaven-ebook/dp/B009R9SH0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350579512&sr=8-1&keywords=home+run+from+heaven

If you have already purchased the Kindle version, you are still eligible. Simply leave your review on the Amazon page at the link above, and then leave me a message on my Facebook account.

PLAY THE KEVIN TRAVIS QUIZ

The second way to win is to play the popular game show KEVIN TRAVIS QUIZ, the home version. Simply answer the questions below. You can either send your answers to my Facebook page or you can email your answers to me at: kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

These are random questions that pertain to the charmed life of Kevin Travis (that's me). The three entries with the most correct answers wins a signed book of Home Run from Heaven. If there is a tie, I will choose names at random.

I will be selecting and announcing the winners on Friday, Nov. 16.

KEVIN TRAVIS QUIZ

1. I used to have a real job before becoming an author. What was my job before I wrote a book?
A) Factory worker
B) Male underwear model/stand-in for Magic Mike
C) Sports editor
D) Teacher


2. I have a passion for certain foods. What is my favorite all-time dinner?
A) Blackened Tilapia
B) Pizza
C) Lobster
D) Shishkabobs


3. I like my snacks. What is my all-time favorite snack item?
A) Potato chips
B) Celery sticks
C) Peanuts
D) Hummus


4. I like cereal. What is my all-time favorite cereal?
A) Lucky Charms
B) Frosted Flakes
C) Honeynut Cheerios
D) Quisp


5. I like sweets and candy. What is something I can't resist?
A) Dark chocolate
B) Peppermint
C) Raisins
D) Caramel


6. Where did I go to high school?
A) Bellevue
B) Hudson
C) Williamston
D) Stow


7. What is the nickname of the high school I graduated from?
A) Explorers
B) Tigers
C) Pam Pack
D) Redmen


8. Where did I graduate college?
A) Ohio State
B) Didn't graduate
C) Bowling Green
D) Missouri


9. What is the nickname of the college I graduated from, if I graduated?
A) Falcons
B) Fighting Squirrels
C) Buckeyes
D) Mighty Thors


10. I have a rather rambunctious dog named Thor. What is his breed?
A) Bulldog
B) Golden Retriever
C) Lab
D) Squirrel


11. Thor actually has a middle name. What is it?
A) Festus
B) Stinky
C) Champ
D) Rowdy


12. Thor has a sidekick that lives with him. What is her name?
A) Stinky
B) Piggy
C) Tasha
D) Bella


13. Which newspaper did I work at?
A) Bellevue Gazette
B) Washington Daily News
C) New Bern Sun Journal
D) All of the above


14. I recently married a beautiful lady. What was the date of the wedding?
A) May 2
B) June 2
C) July 2
D) I don't believe it. No woman could settle down a stud like you.


15. Which professional athlete attended our wedding?
A) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
B) Terrance Copper, Kansas City Chiefs
C) Joe Schmoe, Birmingham Bandits
D) Marie Sharapova, tennis


16. Which professional athlete did my wife and I dine with when his team came to St. Louis?
A) C.J. Wilson, Green Bay Packers
B) Joe Schmoe, Birmingham Bandits
C) Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
D) Felix Unger, Washington Cleaners


17. Which of these current and/or former NBA players have I interviewed for stories?
A) Dominique Wilkins
B) Gerald Wilkins
C) Damien Wilkins
D) All of the above


18. Who is my all-time favorite NFL player?
A) Brett Favre
B) Bernie Kosar
C) Lewis Spankowski
D) Barry Sanders


19. Who is my all-time favorite Major League Baseball player?
A) Buddy Bell
B) Lewis Spankowski
C) Barry Bonds
D) Andre Thornton


20. Who is my all-time favorite NBA player?
A) Magic Johnson
B) Larry Bird
C) Julius Erving
D) Lewis Spankowski


21. What is my all-time favorite television show?
A) Welcome Back Kotter
B) The Price is Right
C) Honey Boo Boo
D) Seinfeld


22. Besides being an author, I have interviewed an author for a story. Who was it?
A) Honey Boo Boo
B) Nicholas Sparks
C) Harlan Coben
D) Mitch Albom


23. What is my all-time favorite Christmas movie?
A) A Christmas Carol
B) Christmas Vacation
C) Honey Boo Boo's Christmas Wonderland
D) White Christmas


24. My stepdaughter went trick-or-treating. What did she dress up as this year?
A) Honey Boo Boo
B) A witch
C) A princess
D) A Whoopie Cushion


25. After trying to do this blog, while passing out candy to trick-or-treaters, what do I need more of?
A) Wine
B) Wine
C) Wine
D) Wine

How to get HOME RUN FROM HEAVEN

So, the DVD of "Magic Mike" and the paperback version of my book, "Home Run from Heaven," were released in the same week. Did the marketers plan it that way? Is it because I bear a striking resemblance to Channing Tatum? Is it because yours truly got jiggy with it before settling down as an author? Or is it just a mere coincidence? Believe what you will...

Having said that, I can totally see Channing Tatum playing me in the movie version of "The Making of Home Run from Heaven." I can just picture him now, sitting at a table, leaning over a laptop, yelling at his dog to leave him alone as he thinks about his next sentence. Riveting, right?!

(Here is Channing Tatum holding a copy of "Home Run from Heaven." Okay, okay, it's just me.)


Oh, and no, mom, I didn't really get jiggy with it. I have an artificial hip, remember?

OBTAINING A COPY OF "HOME RUN FROM HEAVEN"

Some of you have already purchased "Home Run from Heaven," my first book. You have no idea what it means to me that you have done that. I am thankful and grateful from the bottom of my heart.

The book is now offered in paperback version and in digital format. Both are available at Amazon.com.

Here is a link to my Amazon.com author page. If you could simply like it, I would be grateful...
http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224. You can find the books in both formats here.

To make it easier...


PAPERBACK VERSION

If you want the paperback version, you can click the link here: https://www.createspace.com/4025736. The cost is $9.99 for the book, and then there is a small shipping cost determined by createspace.com.


DIGITAL VERSION

If you want the digital version, you can click the link here:
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Run-from-Heaven-ebook/dp/B009R9SH0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350579512&sr=8-1&keywords=home+run+from+heaven. The cost is $2.99.


Don't have a Kindle? That's okay. You can download a free Kindle reading app on your laptop or your phone by clicking the link here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771


SIGNED COPY

If you want a signed copy, I would be more than happy to do that for you. You can mail the book to me, let me know who you want it signed for, and I will send it back. Or... you can send me cash, check or money order for $12, which includes shipping and handling, and I will send you one.

I have a limited supply here, but I can order more. Just send me an email to kevtrav77@yahoo.com and we can swap addresses and go from there.


WHAT'S THE STORY ABOUT?

The story is about a boy, a dog, a dream and faith. Dylan Bell, a freshman in high school, grew up idolizing his father, who played ten years of Major League Baseball. When his father passed away because of cancer, Dylan was heartbroken. But thanks to a loving family, a supportive girlfriend, a close bond with teammates, a crazy puppy, and a strong faith, Dylan grows as a baseball player and as a young man. With a little bit of help, and a lot of faith, Dylan just may be able to lead the Hudson Redmen to a place they have never been before in school history.


WHY GET THE BOOK?

Because you love me! (That's what I keep telling myself any way).

My birthday is Nov. 1 and your purchase would make a great birthday present to me. :)

It would make for a nice Christmas present.

Or it makes for a decent paperweight.


MY LINKS

Want to know more about me? A guy who bears a striking resemblance to Channing Tatum...
You can check out my Facebook and Twitter pages.

https://www.facebook.com/KevinTravisWriter

https://www.facebook.com/HomeRunFromHeaven

https://twitter.com/ktravman



CHAPTER 1 in HOME RUN FROM HEAVEN

CHAPTER 1

       THE HAIRS ON THE BACK OF MY neck stand up.  A big smile forms on my face.  I know he is right here with me.  He is always there for me.  Right when I need him.  You will know what I mean by the end of this story.

        Lying in the lush, green grass near my dad’s grave, using my baseball glove as a pillow, I gaze into the clouds above me.  The sun beats down on my face.  Sweat beads up on my forehead.  The sweet smell of springtime is in the air.  A gentle breeze rustles the leaves.  Squirrels are scurrying about in the distance.

        My trusty bat, the “Golden Hammer,” is perched against a nearby tree.  The bat, named in part because of my dog, Thor, an energetic Golden Retriever, is rarely far away from me.  Thor, the God of Thunder, was known for his mighty hammer.  Combining that with my Golden Retriever, I came up with “Golden Hammer.”  I know it’s kind of corny, but I like it.

        The bat and Thor have proven to be really good to me.  My mom often jokes that I probably sleep next to my bat in bed.  She’s close.  It’s always right by my bed, always within reach.  Just like Thor.

        About an hour earlier, I left the ballpark after helping to lead the Hudson Redmen to our twelfth straight victory.  I’m a freshman and I’m already playing on the varsity team.  When I first made the team, some people in town said that the only reason I made it was because my dad, Don, used to play Major League Baseball.  He was never a star, but he had some memorable games with the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals.  My dad is gone now.  I really miss him.  I’ll tell you a little bit about my dad − my hero − in a little while.

        Just one week into my first season, some of the skeptics who didn’t think a freshman should be playing on the varsity team changed their minds.  I had three hits in my first game, including a home run in my very first at bat.  My home run ball smashed the windshield of my math teacher’s car in the parking lot.  I sort of felt bad about that, but it was a doozy!

        We are having one of the best seasons in school history.  The Redmen are 21-2 and we’ve been playing solid ball.  I’ve done pretty well, hitting .427 with fifteen home runs.  I’ve already set a school record for most home runs hit by a freshman in a season.  I hit two in today’s game, one right-handed and one left-handed, but to be honest, I think the wind helped push them out of the park.  We have a huge game against Stow coming up, and we want to enter the playoffs with lots of momentum.

        I’m thinking about the game, resting my head on my baseball glove-pillow, while looking at the clouds that are dancing above me.  Some people say they can see bunny rabbits or eagles or bears in the clouds.  Me?  I see baseball players’ faces, like Albert Pujols or Derek Jeter or Josh Hamilton.  I know.  I’m strange like that.  I’m trying to make out the face in the cloud directly above me when Thor, my hyperactive puppy, snaps me out of it.

        Thor, never afraid to explore, comes barreling out of the woods, almost as if he’s chasing a dozen cats.  Galloping toward me, a huge, goofy grin plastered on his face and a huge branch clenched in his jaws, Thor doesn’t stop until he pounces on top of me, all seventy pounds of him.

         “Oomph,” I utter.  All the wind gets knocked out me.

        Not much more than a year old, Thor is big for his age.  Enormous, actually.  His paws are gigantic.  I sometimes think we bought a part-horse, part-dog when we got Thor.

         “Where were you, big boy?” I ask.

        He looks me square in the eye, tilts his head just a bit, and then does this thing with his eyebrows that always cracks me up.  One eyebrow goes up, and then the other eyebrow goes up.  One goes up, and then the other goes up.  This replays for ten times.  It almost looks like caterpillars are dancing on his forehead.

         “Did you find anything cool out there?  Did you find any prizes?”

        Thor does one more eyebrow dance, then bends his head down and gives me a giant lick across my face.

       “Thanks, pal.  I love you, too.”

       Thor has already been through a lot with me.  My mom got him for my little sister, my little brother, and me when my dad was sick.  Thor was there for me when my dad died.  I know he will be by my side for a long time.  Thor can certainly prove to be a handful, but I couldn’t ask for a better or a more loyal best friend.