I started this blog on August 21, 2012, with the release of my first book, Titan Encounter. Most of those posts are now in what I call the “Early Blog.” I’m gradually updating their format and bringing them into this new journal. Back then the sole purpose of the blog was to promote my books, but gradually that changed.
That’s how it started but, over the years, I’ve mused about other things that are important to me, such as my family, my farm, rural life, and occasionally about politics and country. However, I try to limit the politics in this journal. If you want to know more about my political leaning go to The Conservative Alternative.
A minor earthquake at 8:32 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 1980, caused the bulging and weakened northside of Mount St. Helens to collapse into the largest landslide ever recorded. The gas, steam, lava, and pulverized rock that it exposed, exploded toward Spirit Lake. Then a column of ash rose 80,000 feet into the air and I witnessed much of it.
Read MoreThe greening of the farm-inspired me.
As many of you know, I live on a small farm and spring is always a very special time. After a cold and wet (Pacific Northwest) winter, it is time to get outside and repair fences, gates, and the broken hen house door.
Read MoreI have begun studying for my amateur radio or “ham” license. Well, I’m still studying the book and working with my mentor Lorin Moline and his wife Veda.
Read MoreThe Rocking Self-Publishing Interview recorded earlier is online!
A month ago Simon Whistler, of the Rocking Self-Publishing Podcast, interviewed me. I blogged about it then saying it would be available in a month. That month has gone by quickly. Today Simon released podcast episode number 142, with me as the guest.
Read MoreI enjoy talking with students interested in a writing career.
Most of the authors I know enjoy talking with students. Established writers should support young writers and promote reading. I spoke on the topic of writing as a career in the digital age at Centralia High School back in November.
Read MoreAs an author much of my time is spent in my office writing.
So, when I can, I like to get out and interact with people. One of the ways I do that is by attending the concerts of the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra.
Read MoreThis month’s cover picture is a special one, for a special time of year.
Usually these blogposts are about the pictures, but not this one. As we gather together to celebrate the birth of Christ, I like to reflect upon the blessings of family and faith.
Read MoreI had the chance to go back to school this week.
Ten years ago, I taught at Centralia High School, near where I live now in Lewis County, Washington state. However, life and other opportunities drew me away, and I haven’t been back since.
Read MoreThe honey harvest this year was very good.
We have only two hives on our small farm, but even so, the harvest takes nearly all day. After breakfast, we set up the equipment, including our honey extractor (basically an antique hand-crank centrifuge), stainless steel buckets, a couple of food-grade plastic pails, strainers, and assorted tools.
Read MoreAll I can do is smile when Amazon tries to sell me one my own books.
This happens more often than you might think. Every few days I go and check each of my books to see if there are new reviews and to ensure everything on the page is correct and working.
Read MoreLike most writers, I’m an introvert.
I spend most of the day alone, in a small office, writing. The room is in my home so, my wife is near, but she leaves me to do my work. Hours can go by and the only people I talk to are the characters in my stories.
Read MoreI called Eek home for seven years.
The Yup’ik Eskimo village of Eek is 415 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The delta is about the size of the state of Louisiana, but within that delta roads are rare and people are few.
Read MoreSchool is out now in Eek, Alaska, and the staff has departed.
Dirk, a longtime co-worker and friend from Eek, took the slow route home. Along with his dog Katja, he visited Anchorage and Kenai and then traveled north to Delta Junction and across into the Yukon, and south to British Columbia. Then he crossed the border into the United States and Washington State.
Read MoreBack to Eek School
Traveling to Eek School is an adventure.
My return to Eek started early in the morning of May 14th. Robert, my youngest son, drove me to the Seattle-Tacoma airport. Since the Alaska Airlines flight took off at 8:00 am, we both got up way too early. The flight to Anchorage, on a regular 737, took about three hours.
Read MoreI often receive boxes in the mail, but this package was unusual.
I turned to my wife and said, “I don’t remember ordering anything this big or this light weight. Did you order something?”
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