Contest Give-away

Anne Bradshaw is running another contest on her blog. This time the give-away includes two intriguing books by Sarah Hinze, B.S.- Author, Speaker, Educator, Therapist – and a participant in the forthcoming Famous Family Nights . Not only is Sarah giving away a copy of each of her two books, but she is also adding a CD recording of a show she did on public radio. What a fabulous prize!

A New Day

Today is a holiday in Canada and I've spent some of the day tinkering with my blog. I added a few things and took some away. I changed colours and words. I added photos to the Pointer Island Showcase slideshow, and discovered a few spelling errors here and there along the way. It's been a great day so far! I appreciate the many who stop by from time to time to read and enjoy my blog. For those of you who wish to "follow" my blog, there is a new feature from Blogger (in the sidebar near the top) that will allow you to do so with a bit more ease. I haven't seen this feature on anyone else's blog yet, but I expect other bloggers will discover it soon enough. I wonder if you like the colour changes I have made to my blog? Please feel free to offer beefs or bouquets.

On February 12th I was waiting for Mike, a tired farmer, who had to clear enough snow so I could load some of his wheat. It took him and his tractor about two hours, and while I waited, I wandered out in his field in search of a photo opp. Wow, was I rewarded! Tiny patches and filigrees of ice on the stubble field were just far enough off the ground to fit my camera under them! This is nature's jewelry at its finest! I never knew you could grow gemstones in a wheat field. I wonder what other wonders I haven't seen yet??

My life, of late, has been rather hectic. I rarely seem to be able to squeeze out enough time to read the blogs of others and then there's the writing of my own posts that's mostly missing as well! (I do have a good excuse, but I find that excuses only satisfy the one who makes them. Here goes anyway...) For the past two months, my driving job has been inundated with visits to the repair shop. My truck is only two years old, but it has issues! Caterpillar (the maker of my engine) would not pay for warranty repairs unless they could prove that their workmanship was at fault. They sent me to a highly specialized test facility in Calgary - the nearest diagnostic facility with a Dyno (basically, a treadmill for large trucks). On February 5th, I left home at 4:45am and pulled back into my driveway at 10:20pm! Yee Haw! I was so tired!!! Here's the shot of my truck on the Dyno.

Now that the dust has nearly settled, Cat is repairing my semi under warranty and I am driving a rental unit in the interim. The first rental unit I had broke down, and now I have another one for a few more days. The first morning I tried to use the second rental unit, it wouldn't start and required a boost. I am feeling disillusioned and discouraged, since it takes me about an hour to move trucks, not to mention just starting the engine and then getting used to the way the unit handles. I really don't want to run over anyone by accident! (If you see me coming, just stay off the sidewalk and you'll probably be safe!) My unit should be done in two more days, but I'm not holding my breath quite yet. All the stress hasn't killed me (or anyone else) yet, so I think I'll be fine.

An Online Award Ceremony

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

I received this Blog wonderful award from Ainhoa, a Spanish young author (currently working on a novel). Translated to English, “Premio Symbelmine” means "Sublime Award". I am deeply honoured. Thank you Ainhoa!!
Ainhoa's blog is in Spanish, but you can obtain a fairly good translation by using an Spanish/English Translator. The free version of the translator can handle 500 characters at a time (about 90 words).
As a Premio Symbelmine award recipient, it is my pleasure to find seven other Blogs that I think merit sublime status. I couldn’t settle on just seven, however, so here are eight greats (in no particular order):

1. 
   James Ball - Author - So You Want to be a Pilot, Eh? James’s blog is loaded up with highflying fun!
2. 
   Tristi Pinkston - Author - Nothing to Regret - Tristi’s blog is always a nice place to visit. My wife recently enjoyed one of Tristi’s books.
3. 
   Traci Hunter Abramson - Author - The Deep End - Traci is on the move - another title is about to hit the stores.
4. 
   Anne Bradshaw - Author - Please, No Zits – Anne runs a happenin’ blog with a waterfall of contests.
5. 
   Autumn Ables - Author - As We Greet With A Kiss – Recently, Autumn has been too busy to talk about things in her corner of the world, but when she does, it is always interesting.
6. 
   Adam Letourneau - Author - So You Want To Be A Lawyer, Eh? – Adam’s blog leads its readers into some fascinating facets of the Canadian legal system.
7. 
   Deanna Raybourn - Author - Silent in the Moor – Deanna’s blog always promises something intriguing and unexpected.
8. 
   Candace Salima (LDS Nora Roberts) - Author - Dreams Die Hard, Lost Canyon Springs Vol. II – If you like political stirrings, this is the blog for you – and Candace doesn’t pull any punches, so just hold on for the ride!

A New Year of Possibilities

Hi everyone,

I hope the Christmas and New Years celebrations were great for you all!! Mine were wonderful! I did a great many things in 2008, and here is my lengthy account of the highlights:

During the summer, Diana and I were privileged to join in a family reunion, held in Kelowna, B.C. We had a stellar time! Games, stories, late night visits, photo opps, kayaking and more gave us cherished memories of loved ones we don’t often see. Our next reunion is planned for 2011.

The year of 2008 saw my manuscript, “3 Seconds On, 3 Seconds Off – Volume I”, go through ten edits in all. Seven of them were by me. Now I am waiting for a final review prior to publication. Volume 2 is already under way.

As the year progressed, I went scuba diving seven times (and got my certification), sailing twice, kayaking three times, rock climbing once, snowshoeing twice and hiking three times. I also began the hobby of low-relief woodcarving. I have one carving project in progress and plan to finish it soon.

As for theatrical events, Diana and I attended “Corteo – Cirque Du Soleil”, “Corb Lund”, “Anne Murray”, and “The Vinyl Café”. All performances were excellent!
In April and May, Diana and I repainted our upstairs bathroom and refinished our oak living room floor. Both rooms look great! With the living room looking good, we bought our very first new couch, love seat & chair set. After making do for 26 years, the new matching leather furniture is definitely appreciated.

On February 2, 2008, we bid farewell to President Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In my life, President Gordon B. Hinckley has been a profound influence, leading me by example as well as inspiring me with the spoken word to try to stand a little taller and be a little kinder. While I have sometimes forgotten his wise council, I have also sometimes succeeded in practicing it. My small successes continue to give me hope. I will miss his wise words.

In May, I was approached by a fellow author and asked to contribute a short story for a book she was trying to assemble about family home evenings. I felt deeply honoured and eagerly accepted the challenge. (Family Home Evening is a program our church advocates. It involves gathering the entire family each Monday night for singing, a spiritually uplifting lesson, fun activities and, of course, a sweet desert.) The upcoming book will be called “Famous Family Nights”. The book has 88 contributors in all, and is expected to be released in the Fall of 2009. I am very excited about this project. The piece I contributed is called, “Six Squirming Children On A Lighthouse”. I'll post more when I know more.

On June 5th, my Mother was trying to work in our garden when she fell, breaking her neck. She was alone, but the Lord was there to help her with a few miracles. Mom got up, supporting her head with her hands, walked out to the street, flagged down a car & rode to the hospital. The break in her neck was described by the specialist as “the worst possible break you can get”! We are grateful her life was spared. Mom spent three months in a halo and is now doing very well. She can even drive around our small town (when snow & ice are not covering the streets). Mom will turn 78 this year.

Diana’s Mother is still battling cancer (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) & its complications - kidney failure being the most prominent. She also has a defibrillator/pace maker in her chest to help with her Mio-Cardiopathy (heart condition). Late this past spring, Diana spent nearly a month with her parents. They live 1900 miles (3000km) away. I stayed home to work, but the lengthy visit was worth my minor sacrifice. So far, Mom is surviving, but we know that that could change quickly. Diana’s Dad is feeling pretty stressed too. Go figure? From so far away, about all we can do is make phone calls & pray. We do lots of both. Diana’s sister lives an hour away from them, so that helps calm our worries.

From November 1st to the 30th, I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) I wrote 30,902 additional words on an adventure novel that I began in November 2007. The fiction novel, “In Ravenscrag’s Shadow” now contains 45,540 words. Once I get my real book in circulation, I may publish this tale too.

For Christmas, Diana gave me a book about boat building techniques. "The Boat Builder's Apprentice" was a sweet read, and I conjured and imagined up more dreams than I could achieve in a lifetime. Still, I plan on building something boat-like this year, but my plans are currently caught in a swirling pool of possibility! I think I will first construct a pontoon (an ama for those who know the term) to use along side one of my kayaks. The outrigger will be relatively easy to make and I already have my basic plans drawn up. Once the frozen outdoors warm up a bit, I will commandeer the garage and get to work on the hull. The other boat I am listing towards is a fast, fibreglass kayak. No matter what I decide, I'll post photos of whatever I do.

Before I sign off, I wish you all a wonderful year for 2009. I hope you and yours will embrace happiness and enjoy good health. I hope you will find success in your plans and projects, but most of all, I hope you and I will all be found contributing positive things to our wonderful world!! God bless you all, and thank you for visiting my virtual world.

The Manuscript's In The Mail

Merry Christmas everyone,
I hope all of you are healthy, happy and terrific! I certainly am. I wish you all a cool Yule and a frantic 1st!
As most of you already know, I have been working over my manuscript for "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off - Volume 1" since the end of July 2008. I carefully went through the manuscript four complete times, in these past five months, reading (aloud) many hundreds of thousands of words in the process. Whew!!! I felt like I was staring in the movie "Groundhog Day"! It was awesome though, and I'm so very glad I did the four additional edits. It amazed me to realize that I could still find errors - even after working so meticulously to get rid of them. That means only one thing - I really am just human. Oh well, did you expect more???
Anyway, the completed manuscript is now in the able hands of my publisher. Now I wait. The manuscript is expected to go past the eyes of the owner of Writing On Stone Press and then to a final-touch editor before I see it again. I don't expect any changes, but I'll know soon.
While I wait, I have resumed work on "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off - Volume 2". It is progressing much faster than Volume 1 did. I suppose that seven years of intense writing have taught me a little.
I have temporarily set my fiction novel aside, but still haven't decided if I will save it for NaNoWriMo 2009 or not. "In Ravenscrag's Shadow" is nearly finished, and I don't know if I can stand a 10-1/2 month wait before I see how it ends. The epic novel is a work of pure fiction, but there is an actual location that provides the setting for the story. I hope to visit that remote location in the summer of 2009. I cannot just go there on my own because the region is the home of grizzly bears. (Bears are intimidated by groups, not by individual humans - and perhaps the term intimidated is a bit too strong.) If I visit the region, as part of a group of five or more, we should not have any trouble, so I have to organize the event before I can be certain of going. Stay tuned.

My Nanowrimo Adventure Novel

As some of you long-time readers might remember, in November of 2007, I joined Nanowrimo. It is a website devoted to authors who are in pursuit of creating a 50,000 word novel in one month. Last year, I managed to conceive a plot and then to write 14,638 words - all by Nov 30th , 2007. With the competition over, I put the novel on hold until Nov 1st, 2008. This year, I was ready and raring to go. I wrote every day of the month, building on my words from last year. By the end of November 2008, I had a total word count of 45,540! I was disappointed that I didn't make it to 50,000, but totally thrilled that, even with my super busy schedule, I was able to create a nearly completed novel. It was so much fun!!! I would encourage everyone who feels inclined, to sign up and participate for November 2009.

This morning, I was reading a blog that challenged the creation of words (in Nanowrimo) without employing the editing process. I have not edited my novel, but I will. If I think it is good enough, I will consider publishing it as well, but that is not the point of my writing it. I participated in Nanowrimo to stretch myself. Adventure is what you have when you explore uncharted territory - inside your mind or with you feet. It is true that I never made the 50,000 word threshold, but that is really not important to me. I participated. I had a blast. I did something great that I am very proud of. After I read the fore mentioned blog, I wrote a comment. I thought you would enjoy it, so here it is: (Jody left a comment before I did. She expressed struggling with procrastination and felt that she was getting off to a late start in life - in so far as writing was concerned.)

"I agree with Jody on several levels. Procrastination kills. An overzealous inner-editor isn't good either, but I don't like to kill him off as much as I like to team up with him. As far as my own writing goes, I am about to become a published author (of an 8-year-in-the-making non-fiction book). I also have a word count of 45,540 at Nanowrimo 2008. I lack, however, the perspective of authors who have already travelled farther down exciting literary roads than I have… but I do have an opinion. As far as Ian's question goes, I am left to wonder whether he was just asking, for the sake of provoking thought, or if Ian was really trying to infer that there is no point to writing without an anticipated editing process in the future. I agree that editing is essential to a published product, but I see only a benefit to writing - no matter what follows the creation process. I know people who go on hikes, not intending to reach the trails' final destinations, but to simply go as far as they can. While their experiences may seem pointless to some, these hikers do enjoy the sights, scents and sounds that they have the power to reach. Not every writer is going to be published, but that should not stop anyone from taking a stroll down Literary Lane. Who knows, maybe they will get farther along than they anticipated? I say, “Just write something and then see what happens.” The future awaits, and it isn’t written yet!"

Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off - Volume 1 - Book Review

"We get a front row seat to the coming-of-age experiences of a young boy growing up on Canada’s west coast in Davis Bigelow’s vivid book, “Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off“. This unique and descriptive view of lighthouse living causes us to yearn for the simple pleasures of an era far past. Keeping time with the life of the emotion-charged, energy-bound child gives us an authentic spectrum of human virtues and frailties that co-existed among the mighty elements. Beauties of the landscape, toils of daily life, life-changing trials, and sweet memories are skilfully encased in a series of eventful stories. A distinctive contribution to BC history."- V. Kidd -Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education

As a side note: Ms. Kidd read the manuscript prior to edit #4 and was kind enough to provided some helpful comments. On October 22, 2008, I completed my edit/read-through #6 and am now comparing all of Kidd's comments with my latest flourishes. To date, I'm about 25 pages into the manuscript and am quite enjoying her thoughts. Many people who edit seem to offer helpful criticism, but littered throughout Kidd's notes are plenty of smiley faces and several great comments. Here is just one, "Good descriptions - I like how they pull you in."

The photo is a potential cover for Volume I.

More Adventure Photos

Hey everyone, glad you stopped by. I just added a bunch of photos to this album in "My Slideshows". Enjoy... 9. Various Adventures of Davis Bigelow

Bertha Lake Hike - Waterton National Park

Hello everyone,

I am finally ready to post the pictures of my Bertha Lake Hike (28 photos in album). I've included three of them here.

July 5, 2008 was perfect and the company enjoyable, but the best part was the scenery!!! The trailhead is located at the southern end of Waterton Lakes National Park. As you can see from the first shot in the slideshow, the deer in the townsite area are rather accustomed to human activity. Decon, Tara, Greg, my daughter Amberle and I were geared up and ready to go.

Bertha trail led the five of us along the western edge of Waterton Lake before turning west towards the mountains. At nearly the three kilometer mark, the pathway reached Lower Bertha Falls - a place Decon and I snowshoed to this past winter. From there, we rose up the mountain side in a series of heart-pounding switchbacks for an additional 2.8km to reach Bertha Lake. Nearly to the lake was a huge waterfall crashing down the steep rocks. It was difficult to see Upper Bertha Falls though the thick foliage, but I got a photo of it anyway.

Once at the Bertha Lake, I hiked above the west side and stalked up on a Mule deer - with his horns still in the velvet. He was browsing at the base of three majestic waterfalls which were cascading down the mountainside above me. I was thrilled beyond measure! I got within fifty or sixty feet of the wild & majestic animal. Wow!

From there, my adventurous spirit led me along the western shores of Bertha Lake until I reached the extreme southern end. There, alone and awed, I stood in the warm summer sun and took in the incredible views. The air was peaceful. The sky, deep blue with a few white clouds. Ahead of me, a spectacular waterfall adorned the rocky slopes. To my right, several white mountain goats clamoured for footing some 200 meters (600 ft) above me. Above the waterfall, Mount Richards rose to 2416 meters (7926 ft), hemmed in by mighty ridges and jagged crags on all sides. I made my way to the base of the waterfall. I ascended about one hundred feet to a perch above the cascade and brought my camera lens up. Even with a super wide angle photographic view of the landscape, one shot just wasn't enough. I carefully composed thirteen photographs. At home, they would allow me to create two incredible panoramic pictures. With the photos finished, I just stood and stared. What a view it was!

Reluctantly, I scrambled back down to the level of the lake surface. I had to return to my group. They were resting and exploring at the north end of the lake and my two-way radio was out of range. I jogged the two kilometers back, pausing only once to immortalize an interesting flower in full bloom.

The hike down was fast. Gravity does that! About an hour and a half later, the five of us reached the trail head, tired but smiling. In all, I had tramped 14.4km. My feet were sore and my legs spent. My head was filled with memorable scenes and tucked protectively in its case rested my camera along with some very beautiful photographs.

Work, Fun, Editing, Work, Fun, Editing

Hi everyone,

Things are going great at my place, but I haven't squeezed out the time to post for a while. A warm welcome to all. Since I last posted, guests from China, Peru and Turkey have joined the many others of you who stop in from time to time. Thank you for your continued interest.

I have had an extreme summer, hiking several times, camping and scuba diving lots. On Sept 13th, I enjoyed a wonderful hike to Crypt Lake (in Waterton Park, Alberta, Canada). I have yet to post pictures from my Bertha Falls hike (July 5, 2008), my several underwater adventures, kayaking, sailing and now the Crypt Lake hike. While I am working on putting together the various slide shows - for your viewing pleasure, here are a couple of shots to tide you over. The above lake is Waterton looking south from the Bertha Falls trail. The small shot is of a flower along the Bertha trail, followed by August 23rd kayaking in The Milk River Ridge Resevoir in south central Alberta.

As for my book, Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off, Volume 1, I have been from cover to cover once again, making any needed changes. Once I read through for this last time, I began again for one more look - just to be sure. I am currently over 1/3 of the way through for the second time and have found only a few minor troubles to repair. Most of my corrections involve removing extra spaces after words or paragraphs. I am very glad that I am finally feeling satisfied with my manuscript. Yay! It won't be long now! As soon as I finish this final edit, I'll have a bit more free time to post all those photos. Thanks for stopping by. See you again soon.

Davis

Racism

David Swerdlick brings a lot of passion to this article, and I liked it all - especially the passion! As a white guy, I have seen a lot of racial problems handed out and for the life of me I really, honestly, genuinely cannot figure out why. Perhaps too much whining is done about this sort of thing, but I expect that all the whining would miraculously go away if more people would listen and then act to finally stamp out racism. To be blunt, I am disgusted with anyone who looks down at another person because of his or her colour! Whine or no whine, I will always feel that way and I’ll tell you why.
I was born in 1960 - to white parents. I have three older sisters, (adopted if you must know): one Métis (French Canadian and Native) & a set of Japanese and Irish twins. Following me is a blood-related sister and at the end of the family is my youngest sister, a full-blooded Native girl from the west coast of Canada. Now you may be surprised or not, but us six kids grew up as siblings and my four adopted sisters are as much my sisters as the one who was born to my mother. I don't have as good a tan as some in my family, but the colour difference is meaningless to me. My nieces and nephews come in several shades, but who cares? They are all my family & I love them equally!
In 1967, my father received the Order of Canada for service to his country - for having adopted my four sisters & creating a diverse inter-racial family. The recognition was awesome, but in some ways it’s sad. What difference does the colour of one’s skin make? Why should the adoption of a few children be considered so worthy of such accolades in the first place? We are all human beings – members of the human race. We are all here on this vast planet called earth – together I might add. We all want to live after the manner of happiness. I think we are all agreed on that? Perhaps the racists of the world should take a good look in the mirror. What gives their reflection any more right to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness than anyone else’s? I say, “Just calm down and forget about colour because it only matters if you are feeling the poisoning influence of racism!” Instead of hastily climbing onto the high horse of haughtiness, perhaps we should all pause to look in the mirror. Perhaps we should ask ourselves the tough question? “Does skin colour matter to me?” I don’t think it should.

Hiking, Changes & Reunions

I've had a super busy month and haven't posted for a very long time, but I sure appreciate all the visits to my blog. A big welcome to the new visitors from Czech Republic, Chile, Egypt, Japan, Montenegro, Russian Federation, The Former Republic Of Yugoslav, Australia, USA, & Canada. Good to have all the regular visitors stop by too!

As promised, here is the slide show from my Summit Lake Hike in Waterton National Park, Alberta on June 21, 2008.

Since I last posted, I have seen my publishing company undergo a change in ownership. A very scary thing - potentially. However, the new owner has positively impressed me and I look forward to the new future. The new owner and I have decided that my manuscript needs a bit more tweaking, and at this point, we have no release date to announce. However, when the day finally dawns, I think the completed book will be worth the wait!

My website is still in the creation phase, but that will change over time. I have discovered that there is great power in doing small things on a regular basis. After all, that is mostly how I got my book written & continues to be the way I am writing the sequels. My parents used to quote the tortoise (from the fable The Tortoise & the Hare), "slow but sure wins the race", and they were right. A person can accomplish much using only a few minutes at a time here and there, so I'm more worried about my direction than my speed. Of course, even knowing all that doesn't keep me from getting frustrated from time to time.

In addition to adjusting to my publisher's hat change, we also attended a wonderful reunion in Kelowna, B.C. On the way there, my sweetheart, Diana, and I stopped in Golden, B.C. and stayed at the Great Canadian Chalets. It was awesome!!! The next morning, we drove to a remote waterfall and took some great photos - before we drove the 5 remaining hours to reach Kelowna. Good times!!! Sweet memories!!!

After Kelowna, we drove home and hosted our oldest daughter, DeAnna, son-in-law, Jason, and two grandchildren, Triston & Brandi, for a week. The four of them live in Dawson Creek, B.C. (an 11 hour drive from our house) so we don't see them very often. Diana and I had such a great time! Triston is 3 and Brandi is nearly 2 years old. They loved our cats and Jack Russel Terrier. Together we did lots of yard work, played some games (Settlers of Catan) and enjoyed some tasty meals. The four of them left this morning, accompanied by my 2nd daughter, Amberle. Amberle will return from her visit to Dawson in a couple of weeks. It is nice that our children like each other.

Tonight our house is quiet again, but we miss the sound of little feet. Triston & Brandi's smiles and laughter will be greatly missed! Some things are just better than a clean house! We've done lots so far this summer, but Diana and I still have more adventures planned. Stay tuned for a little camping, hiking, scuba diving, writing, editing and who knows what else before 2008 closes....

Thank you for visiting us and sharing our fun!

Sweet Thoughts & Broken Bones

Greetings my friends,

I have not posted for a very ling time. I apologize for that. I've been rather occupied. Hope you are all healthy, happy and terrific!

On May 19th, my sweetheart went to visit her parents, accompanied by my second daughter, Amberle. Diana's Mom has some serious heath issues and her doctors say that she has already lived a year longer than they expected. We are grateful for the extra time, but deeply saddened by what appears to be the inevitable.

In Diana's absence, I became a lonely bachelor, with just our dog and two cats for company. The cats remained home, but the dog, a spirited Jack Russel terrier, accompanied me on my trucking adventures all over Alberta. He was good company, for a dog, but I missed Diana terribly. After nearly 26 years together, I have become rather attached to the sounds of her voice floating through our home (which was more like a tomb for nearly a month). On June 13th, Diana and Amberle returned safely. A few days later, I wrote this poem for Diana:

A Sweet Daydream

The morning dawn adorns your hair,
Sprinkling life on tired eyes.
I dare not move, but stare with awe...
Your love’s a cherished prize!

I lay awake near your sweet warmth,
Hearing slumber’s gentle breath.
I brush the freckles on your skin,
And kiss your tender neck.

The promise of a thousand rainbows,
And ten thousand butterflies,
Stirs all my soul from height to depth.
With you I’ve no disguise.

You stir from sleep – enough to smile,
Ere dreams take you again;
And I am left to hold you close,
As light transforms the dawn.

Our love is old, yet new somehow,
When I see your green eyes,
And look with care on your sweet face.
‘Tis true; I’ve won the prize!

Your hand in mine; your tender touch;
The music of your voice...
All join as one to fill my breast,
And cause me to rejoice!

By Davis Bigelow

Copyright 2008

On June 5th, my mother was trying to work in my garden when she fell. She is an industrious woman that is constantly causing me to shake my head. She just trys to do too much! Unfortunately, this time carried serious repercussions. When she fell, she hit her face on the dirt, creating a horizontal break across her second vertebrae in her upper neck. I was up north in my semi and she was alone. After laying there and calling out for a while, she supported her head and got up, walking over a hundred feet to the street where she flagged down a car. The driver happened to be a friend of ours, and since Mom didn't appear to be in too bad a shape, the driver drove her the short distance to our local hospital. Mom ended up being taken to Calgary where she was fitted with a halo and told that she had the worst possible break that you could get in your neck. She had few days of some slight tingling on her right side, but other than that, she has no paralysis problems. We consider it a miracle! She will have to wear the halo for three months and then a brace for an additional few weeks. So far things are going very well for her - especially considering what might have been the outcome. We are grateful!

Yesterday, my sweetheart had to work. In her absence, I took a break from my stresses and went hiking with my friend Greg and his wife. I took some nice photos and met some great people. I have to reduce the picture file sizes in order to post, so stay tuned. I'll tell you all about our awesome hike when I get another blog-devoted moment. Thanks for stopping by. Talk to you again soon!

Blog Review & The Temporary Bachelor

Welcome to all the recent visitors from around the world in the countries of Costa Rica, Guam, France, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, as well as the readers from the US and Canada. "Welcome back" to all the regulars too. It is great to have so many who stop in to check out my blog. Thank you all so much! I have recently registered on "blogged", and my blog is now open for independent reviews by my readers. If you wish, you can go to the review site, click on "review" and set the rating you think is appropriate. If you're up for it, it will just take a few seconds but if you wish, you can also add a review.

As for my upcoming book, "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off - Volume I"; it is still in the cover-design phase. I am anxious and excited but I'm working on Volume II while I wait. I sure enjoy writing! I also look forward to resuming the creation of my fiction novel, "In Ravenscrag's Shadow". It is 100% outlined and about 25% written. This summer I plan to create a few photographs for it. In November, if I can wait that long, I plan to finish it. (You can read a "first draft" excerpt from the novel at the above link.)

A week ago, my sweetheart left me for some much needed time with her parents. Diana's mom has been fighting lymphomatic cancer for about three years now, and the doctors are amazed that she is still alive. The disease is progressing, but thankfully it is slow and Mom can still do much. She suffers from serious heart problems and kidney failure too - as if the cancer were not enough. It seems that sad times overtake us all! Two summers ago, we all met for a giant family reunion to celebrate Diana's parent's 50th wedding anniversary. It was a great time for family memories and I'm grateful we could all make it. It is an 1800km+ drive from our house to theirs, so the trips are not as frequent as we would like, but we keep in touch often by phone. I am blessed with a great mother & father-in-law - and I'm grateful.

I miss Diana like the taste of fresh air, but I'm glad she could go anyway. These next two weeks will pass - hopefully quickly, and Diana and I will be reunited again. Then, our three weeks apart will be but a fleeting, painful memory and Diana's precious memories with her parents will linger on and an. The loneliness of bachelorhood is not at all a welcome companion, but I'll make it. When I think about the thousands who are off in some war-time pursuit, at school or work - all for extended periods of time that make my three weeks seem minuscule, I feel a new respect for them and wonder what right I have to whine. Sacrifice of one kind or another is just part of life. Perhaps I need to take the advice Wesley gave to Indigo (The movie: Princess Bride), "Get used to disappointment!"

General MacArthur's Address - Duty, Honor, Country

By way of preface, I just visited a website and read General MacArthur's 1962 address, (posted May 26, 2008). I have heard some of this address before, but today I read it all for the first time. I posted the following comment in response (in Canadian English, of course), but thought I would also post it in my blog. Oh, and for those who are concerned for political correctness, my use of "he" and "mankind" is non-gender-specific. (Historically speaking however, it is usually men who cause the most trouble anyway. Aside from the obvious problems of wage disparity and sexual discrimination, I feel that for most women to be equal with men would require them to take a step down. I don't really know how often any given woman wishes she could be more like a man, or at least have his same opportunities, but in my case, when it comes to strength of character, I am often amazed at the good examples most women set. I look at my wife, and often wish I could achieve the same degree of goodness in my life as she does in hers. She makes it look easy - and I don't think it ever is for me. OK, OK enough philosophy! Sorry! This post is supposed to be "drips of ink from my mind", not an overturn of the inkwell!)


Thank you for posting "Duty, Honor, Country". I have long admired General MacArthur and it felt rather nostalgic to read his address. General MacArthur was eloquent and insightful and a man who loved his country. As I consider those who have purchased freedom with their precious blood, I deeply appreciate their sacrifices. Recently, I have been reminded and your post has reminded me again today, that a single individual can do much good if they try. Of course, the opposite is also true - a single individual can do much harm if he chooses. Ours seems to be the task to choose what we will be, whom we will influence and whether the force of our lives will exert good or ill on the rest of mankind. And I don't believe that we have to be on the front line of war to do our work. Perhaps the toughest front line we face is within our own hearts? Do we fulfil our duty to both man and God? Do we honour the noble things of life? Do we honour the sacrifices of those who pioneered our present ease? Do we protect our country from moral erosion as well as physical bondage? I, for one, struggle to do these things. Today, I suppose it is good to be reminded that others have struggled too - and because many have succeeded, perhaps we can too. Perhaps I can…