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.
Back 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 MoreEek is a Yup’ik, Eskimo, village 415 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. Starting in 2007, I taught in the village school for seven years. Because it is a small village of 300 people, I quickly learned the name, and backgrounds, of nearly every student.
Read MoreBackdoor Survival is a top-ranked survival and preparedness website that I have visited many times. The editor, Gaye Levy, recently interviewed me and reviewed my latest book, A Time to Endure.
The site provides lifestyle tools, tips, and resources to guide readers through the economic, political, and environmental challenges we all face. Because of my own interest in survival and prepping, I was glad to be part of their recent book festival.
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?”
Read MoreYesterday, I received a letter from an old friend.
Several things were unusual about it. First, it was a real letter, the kind you get in the mailbox. I get close to a hundred emails a day, but very few letters. The other thing that immediately caught my attention was the picture that you see here.
Read MoreSpring is a busy time for the beekeeper.
I only had one bee colony that survived the winter and I have been feeding them a sugar-water syrup for a few weeks. Thursday night my new colony of bees arrived.
Read MoreRecently my son, Robert, discovered himself
Actually, Robert earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Martin’s University in 2012 and quickly found a job as an auditor for the Washington state. During his time at the university, someone took a picture of him as part of a promotion for the School of Business.
Read MoreLike most people, I enjoy a good mystery.
I don’t write traditional mysteries, but often my stories contain a secret that the characters have to solve. While I enjoy both reading and writing such novels, sometimes I enjoy real-life mysteries.
Read MoreI have no idea why this occurred.
But it sure seems like a fun place to work.
My wife sent me this video. The YouTube description states it occurred last year at the headquarters of Groupon in Chicago.
Read MoreSpringtime brings extra chores for those living on a farm.
Normally, I keep two bee colonies, but only one survived the winter. On a warm day earlier this month, I opened the remaining hive to check on the colony. I try to find the queen…
Read MoreMost people think of writers as reclusive loners.
We do spend much of the day alone while we write and, I suppose writers are introspective. Some are shy but, the writers I know like to meet, talk, read and even write as a group.
Read MoreBook three of the Strengthen What Remains series is off to a good start.
I haven’t finished the novel or even named it yet, but I’ve sold at least one copy.
Bill Radtke, a friend of mine, is a busy man and has little time to read for entertainment, but he recently bought paperback copies of both Through Many Fires and A Time to Endure.
Read MoreSpring is a busy time for bees and beekeepers.
For most of the country, this winter has been snowy and cold, but in western Washington state, the weather has been mild. As a beekeeper, this is both a blessing and a problem.
Read MoreLast night my wife Lorraine and I enjoyed a pre-anniversary dinner.
This was the third time we’ve traveled north to Tumwater and ate at the Falls Terrace Restaurant. We enjoy the establishment for several reasons. It has good service and an excellent steak and seafood selection.
Read MoreFor the first time in over ten years, I had the chance to see, hear and speak with Charlie Albright.
In 2004 Charlie Albright was a freshman in my civics class at Centralia High School. Even then I knew he would achieve things in life. He worked hard in class and turned in every regular and extra credit assignment. I don’t believe he got less than an “A” on anything.
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