Wanted: A New Publisher

It’s official. “Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off” is no longer being published by Writing On Stone Press. I am now seeking a new publisher.

In the summer of 2008, Writing On Stone Press changed ownership. The original owner, the one who signed me on as an author, shared my vision of publishing a collection of autobiographical, historically accurate tales detailing the life of an obscure boy growing up on a lighthouse on the west coast of Canada from 1960 until 1982. The obscure boy was me and the lighthouse life I lead was isolated. Because of my unusual growing-up environment, I found unexpected adventure, meaning and growth. Now, twenty-eight years since I set foot on Pointer Island Lightstation, I want to share snapshots of my amazing life with others. I want to impart some of my grand lighthouse adventures to you, the interested reader.

From the time the new owner of Writing On Stone Press took over in 2008, she never seemed to be able to catch the vision of my book – it being drastically different from the type of books being generally published by the press. I pushed hard for commitments. I pushed hard to get “Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off” published prior to the 2010 Olympics (to be held in Vancouver, B.C., Canada), but in the end, I failed to achieve my goals. While those who have reviewed my manuscript tell me that it is wonderfully descriptive, and rich with feeling, this new owner of the press insisted that my manuscript was too long, too detailed and too unique. (I guess that means she won’t buy a copy when it is finally published.)

All was not lost however. My relationship with Writing On Stone Press did benefit my writing skills. It did expose me to the scrutiny of editors. It did motivate me to be a better writer. I tried harder to see my book through the eyes of my potential readers. The frustrations motivated me to define the purpose of my book. I found myself rallying around the real reason I began to write in the first place – because I wanted to give to society in a positive way. I now feel very strongly that good stories should not be kept to one’s self. Good stories are meant to be shared. Powerful forces shaped my obscure life on Pointer Island and my book is an attempt to give others an unobscured vision of my struggles, my failures and my triumphs. I have no doubt that I will find a great publisher out there who shares my vision, for “Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off”, but until then, I think I’ll just keep on writing.

Shirley A. Kuhn - Mar 6, 1936 to Dec 13, 2009

It has been many years since I lost a family member to death but I'm still not any more ready for this current death than I was then. My last loss was my Dad. In 1995, after a lifetime of poor health, my father passed peacefully. Now, fourteen years later, I still miss him and catch myself wishing we could sit together and that I could get his advice on things.

Today, as I feel the fresh loss of Diana's mother carve out another hollow place in my heart, I am filled with more feelings than I am able to process at any one moment in time. For several hours this afternoon, I will witness a multitude of friends and extended family pause in their busy lives to bid a farewell to a great lady and to offer kind condolences to us.

Tomorrow morning is Mom's funeral, when we will formally celebrate the life of a woman who spent her life in service to others and who has done much to overcome her own personal weaknesses. Mom was human, but in spite of her mortal frailties, she managed to leave a noble legacy for us to consider and hopefully to follow. For myself, I will always remember a woman who knew her mind and who wasn't afraid to encourage me to be a better man. Mom was loved by many, and I feel particular appreciation for her positive influence on my dear wife and children. Mom fiercely loved her family. Her influence will be greatly missed.

And so today, I have something to say to Shirley A. Kuhn: "Thanks Mom, for being a great mother-in-law to me, a wonderful mother to my wife, a memorable grandmother to my children & grandchildren, a loving wife to Dad and a faithful friend to all. I miss you. We miss you. Your example will help me to go forward with a renewed determination to live up to the truths and values I know. Thank you for all you have given me."

(Mom's obituary can be read at the funeral home's website. Just use Dec 13, 2009 to reference.)

A Sober Time In Life

My Friends,

As 2009 draws to a close, I am poignantly reminded of the fragility of my mortal existence. Way back in 2005, my wife's mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and told that she probably had less than 18 months to live. In 2005 and since, our family prayed lots for Mom and the Lord saw fit to prolong her life. Now, Diana’s mother’s life is drawing to a close. As I sit with Mom, listening to each ragged breath, and wondering which one will be her last, I am lead to believe that family is so much more important that things. I feel somewhat compelled to believe that the goodness in Mom’s life has power over the bands of death and that her goodness will influence us long after she is gone. I am reminded that not everything I once thought was important really is.

At our home, which is 1600 miles away, our Christmas presents sit alone, awaiting our return. Several weeks ago, I lovingly placed tenderly wrapped presents in the growing pile, anticipating the joy I might see in the eyes of each recipient on Christmas morning. Today, however, those far away presents seem lifeless and meaningless when compared to the fragile life of my mother-in-law as she hangs on to the precious gift of life that I too share in. Someone has sat with Mom nearly every moment of every day in the past few weeks and since I arrived here in Indiana on December 4th, I have taken my turn to watch over her. The last few nights, as I sat into the wee hours of the morning and read to her, held her hand, administered her medications, thought about her life or moved her into a more comfortable position, I have been amazed at the depth of my feelings. Mom has been a wonderful mother-in-law as well as a good friend. Along with her sweet husband, who has been an angel of mercy to her for many years, they raised an amazing daughter who I have been privileged to be married to for over 27 years. I feel honoured to be able to offer a small amount of service in partial payment for the debt I feel. I feel honoured to know such a noble woman.

In 2005, shortly after Mom was diagnosed with cancer, I felt moved to write a poem in her honour. For those of you who have read my blog for a long time, you may recall that I promised to share that poem. Today, I feel that the time has come. I hope you both enjoy and benefit from the words I penned – words that I feel came from a source larger than my own mind and heart.

When Death Comes

When threat of death our loved ones get,
Their hearts can scarcely brave the threat,
It seems so soon, it seems so near,
For death is something we all fear.

No fresh escape, the new day brings.
I wish my soul could find some wings,
To take me up and way beyond,
The pain of day and night so long.

And when its time for me to go,
I know ‘tis sad to leave below,
My loved ones left to fare alone,
My friends who’ll look and find me gone.

I’m heaven bound, at least I hope,
Because for me a plan was wrote.
A price was paid, His blood was spilt,
So I could find escape from guilt.

A life again, he promised me.
A life with joy and not so tough.
And so let’s see how I will do,
When my turn comes to conquer through…

The bounds of earth and sky to see,
If I have live so worthily.
Am I at peace or just not here?
Are loved ones left to cringe in fear?

Do I await the gates above?
Is Jesus Christ the one I love?
My path is sure. All men must tread,
But life’s not just ‘bout being dead.

Just time away, and time for thought,
It’s nice, but lots of pain is brought.
My loved ones pray, faith on their lips,
As life from me so slowly slips.

I hope to meet again someday.
I hope to love again and play,
As once I did before hard times,
And hug and kiss and give my charms.

But for today, the time is gone.
For choosing either right or wrong.
My loved ones watch, but cannot go
To Heaven’s gate or down below.

Then wisdom speaks and makes me glad,
That life brought both, some good and bad,
To help me grow and have a choice,
And work to speak with Heaven’s voice.

And so with heart all strained and sad
I grin and say that life is glad.
For up and down our lives may be,
But that is just the entry fee…

I have to pay if I’m to hope,
That I can rest in Jesus cloak.
So upward look, to days ahead,
When none of us will need a bed.

For gone will be the pains of earth,
And glad I’ll be that I had birth.
Sweet crowns of light are in my reach,
Our Lord and God on earth did teach.

And faith and hope and charity,
Will be my song and be my gleam.
For I will win the fight of life,
And reach for things beyond this strife.

My loved ones left for just a while,
As I go on to join the choir,
Of angels fair, all dressed in white,
And robed in glory, love and light.

Soon you will come and join our throng.
Soon ‘twill be time to come back home,
To God who gave you life and love.
Soon ‘twill be time to sing above.

But till that day go forth with faith,
And keep sweet smiles upon your face.
For you are who I leave behind,
To take my work in heart and mind.

And leave a legacy for me,
That death and pain will never grey.
Remember I will wait for you,
So make me proud and Jesus too.

Go right to work and train that voice.
Learn Heaven’s words; It’s still your choice.
For you have time, to choose the right,
And walk in truth and love and light.

And when your time arrives to go,
Be glad that you have lived below.
But ‘till that day please take some time,
To train your voice with pleasing rhyme…

So you can come and sing with me,
And blend refrains in harmony.
I wait for you my dear loved one,
Please join me when your work is done.

By Davis L. Bigelow
Copyrite 2005

Hearts of Courage On The Air at BYU TV

Scheduled to air again on BYU TV

November 2009 dates and times (MST)

Monday the 16^th @8:00 PM

Thursday the 19^th @ 9:00 AM

Friday the 20th @ 1:00 AM

Monday the 23rd @ 4:00 PM

You may want to check out one of these broadcasts. Just click on the title of this post to go directly to BYU TV

Goat Lake Hike - Waterton National Park

On July 4th, 2009, Greg, Chris, my daughter Amberle and I hiked from the trailhead / parking lot at Red Rock Canyon to Goat Lake. Of the four of us, only Amberle had done this hike before, but as we started down the trail, we all got a big surprise!!!
As we ate lunch at the lake, the partly cloudy sky darkened and we got a good downpour. Thankfully, we had some large evergreens to hide under. Only a few drops landed on us. After the short shower, we meandered behind the lake, past the tenting campsite and enjoyed a spectacular meadow filled with yellow columbines. I wish you could have all enjoyed the day with us, but at least I had a camera with me. As we walked, we heard a strange, piercing noise. It sounded like a raptor sound effect off of the movie Jurassic Park. We were rather freaked out until we located the source. it was a hawk.
Check out the slide show to see it all.

Hearts of Courage – The Gillam Plane Crash by John M. Tippets

Published in 2008, “Hearts of Courage – The Gillam Plane Crash” is a true account of intense tragedy, unimaginable wilderness survival, desperation, death, compassion, selflessness and last, but not least, incredible faith and courage. The fact that this story has not yet been turned into a major motion picture bewilders me! In 144 short pages, John M. Tippets leads us into the 1943 world of his own father—a world torn by war; a world wrapped tightly in the bands of a merciless Alaskan winter. As I read this extraordinary tale, I laughed a little and I wept a lot. I sat in awe at the feet of unwitting heroes who offered their own lives to rescue others. I felt the sting of dreams, teetering towards extinction. I felt the sweet joy of rescue and the comforting warmth of compassion. What a story!! If you only read one book this year, this book should be the one!

To obtain your very own copy of “Hearts of Courage – The Gillam Plane Crash” visit Amazon.com

Summer Break???

Hey everyone,
Just a note to let you all know that I am yet alive and well - just extremely busy adventuring, etc...
Since I last posted, I've been on a backpacking trip, kayaked down a river - twice, been Tiger Hunting in the Hoodoos, photographed some exotic places, read an amazing adventure story (which I will be reviewing in my next post), been camping, sat around several fires, carved a little, played with my grandchildren, visited with my daughters and son, been sailing, photographed two weddings, got published in the book "Famous Family Nights" by Anne Bradshaw, worked on my own book, "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off", partnered with a gifted artist (to complete the artistic touches on two of my children's stories), made new friends, been in contact with old ones, attended the Calgary Stampede, created a brand new business card, hiked to Goat Lake, dealt with a sewer backup, worked to pay for it all, and generally had a great time so far this summer. (The sewer backup, however, didn't make the "great time" list!)
As for my book, "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off", it is a little closer to print, but my publisher was unhappy with a few things and I am currently going through the manuscript for time #7. I hope to be done and see the book in print for Christmas, but still no commitments as yet.
I would like to post more frequently and will try harder to do so. I have many photos and adventures to share, so please stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by. I hope your summers are all going great too!!!

Lucy In The Barley

On January 27, 2009, I saw a sight that I have not seen in nearly 500,000 kilometres of driving my Super B Train all over Alberta and Saskatchewan – Lucy in the barely! It happened like this:

My twin trailers and tractor bounced and lurched over the uneven and frozen ground of the farmyard. I was there to pick up a routine load of barley. For late January, the day was balmy, but the temperature was still a touch below the freezing mark. A warm sun sparkled over the patchwork of snow and yellowed grasses causing me to squint, even with my sunglasses on. As I dragged my lead and pup trailers around a large pile of nature-chilled barley and under the spout of the waiting grain auger, a large dog bounded my way. Cody, the farmer, arrived on the dogs heels and I scrambled to open my trailer’s tarps while the auger motor roared into life. When I climbed back down to the ground, the massive head of the Great Pyrenees, hybrid-cross farm dog was waiting. Brindle-coated and friendly, the shaggy dog greeted me with a wagging tail and a gentle chew on my work gloves. I patted the big animal and then moved to help Cody.

A few normal minutes passed. The loading was typical. Suddenly, Cody’s son, Colin, and his uncle Murray wandered into the mix. It was a school day, but Colin had opted to avoid his sixth grade ski trip. Not to be outdone, Cody had quickly recruited his vacationing son to help us with the load. Lucy, the large dog, padded up to Colin for a little attention and then moved out of the way. On the shaded side of the pile, shovels and machines sang out in a concert of disorderly dissonance.

After several minutes, Lucy’s distinctive coat caught my eye. The big dog shambled to the sun-smitten edge of the pile of barley but didn’t stop there. She just kept on moving, climbing over the crusted edge of snow and plunging her paws into the upward slope. In seconds, Lucy floundered nearly to the peak of the pile of sun-warmed barley. Once there, the shaggy dog nestled her chest into the grain and dropped her chin to rest. I stopped shovelling long enough to use the camera on my phone to snap a photo. The sight was awesome!

For much of the loading, Lucy nested in the grain, moving her resting place from time to time. I was secretly jealous of her flaunted laziness. But as the pile diminished, a strange event took place. Kernel by kernel, Cody’s tractor blade pushed the pile towards the auger intake and, in turn, the auger slowly filled my trailers. Murray, young Colin, and I cleared snow from the edges of the pile and made certain to stand clear of the continual scraping of the tractor’s blade. With the shrinking of the pile however, docile Lucy became increasingly agitated. As the peak of the pile gently ran towards the ground, Lucy was forced to move. When the pile was only four feet in height, the big dog showed her colours. Instead of lying near the top of the pile, seemingly oblivious to our efforts, she took to lying exactly in the path of the tractor’s blade. It was with some effort that we got her to stay out of the way. It became obvious that the pile of barley belonged to her and that we were the intruders. Quite amazing how some animals act!

Spring Snow In Southern Alberta

I took these pictures of our side yard just a few minutes ago. The snow flakes are rather large and appear to be blotches on my lens.

Yesterday, believe it or not, the day was so warm that I ran my truck's air conditioner for several hours. For the past few days, our furnace has not even needed to run. The great outdoors has lured us with an abundance of short-sleeve weather. Late last night, however, a storm front came in. I hate it when that happens! Mother Nature never has consulted me - I guess I should stop waiting for it. Now all that remains is damage control. I hope my snow shovel is lost under a drift!

“The Deep End” by Traci Hunter Abramson

Book Review

I recently listened to Traci Hunter Abramson’s book, "The Deep End", on CD and quite enjoyed it. The narration is abridged, but since I’ve not perused the pages of the actual book, sadly, I can’t articulate any differences. On the CD however, the narration begins with character introduction before rapidly plunging into a plot thick with intrigue and action. I quickly found myself absorbed in the imaginative saga. The story shelters several unexpected twists and turns, and I thought Traci did a fine job of protecting the surprises―unveiling them at just the right times. Occasionally, when I sensed predictability forming in the plot, Traci sent my notions into wild tailspins. I especially liked the emotional rhythm of the story. On the downside, there were some minor moments when I thought the tale would have benefited from a little more development, but after all, it was the abridged version I listened to. Overall, Traci’s book was richly entertaining. “The Deep End” gets a big round of applause from me!
You can check out all seven of Traci's books on her blog.

Extreme Sports Or What???

I was doing a bit of surfing this morning and came across some very wild sporting events. “Outlandish, amazing, over the top and crazy” are only some of the words that came to mind as I gazed onto my screen! (I think my mouth is still hanging open!) Here are the websites. Feel free to enjoy a good laugh too!!

Swamp Soccer & Snowshoe Soccer – Finland- make sure you look at the photo gallery (Just in case you need to know, the scroll tabs come up along the upper edges of each photo when the mouse cursor passes close enough.)

Wife Carrying – Finland, USA, Australia, Ireland

Mobile Phone Throwing Contest – Finland – top throw was 85 metres (279ft)

World Bog Snorkeling Championship - Wales

"Faith Of Our Fathers" by N. C. Allen

“Faith Of Our Fathers” is a four-book series written by the talented hands of author, N. C. Allen.

A year or so ago, I listened to Nancy’s first two books on CD, but never got around to enjoying the final two volumes until recently. A visit to my public library found me signing out volumes two, three and four – I thought I’d better re-listen to Volume two.

Over the past three weeks, I devoured the remaining bulk of the saga, enjoying each and every minute of it. I thought I knew about the American Civil War. In my Canadian schooling, I studied it in depth—or so I thought. By the time Nancy Allen’s powerful tale was told, however, I realized that my knowledge was painfully superficial. Nancy took me where my studies had never ventured—into the hearts and minds of individuals on both sides of the conflict. In listening to the narration, I saw and I heard, but most of all, I felt. Nancy’s unforgettable characters let me experience the fear of furious and oft-times senseless battles, to weep with the oppressed, to rejoice at the uncountable acts of valour, and to celebrate the ultimate triumph of the noble cause of freedom—a cause that cost so very much more than I had ever realized!

Thank you Nancy for your amazing contribution to the literary world! Thank you for your contribution to my own understanding!

N. C. Allen’s Series: Faith of Our Fathers
Volume 1 - A House Divided
Volume 2 - To Make Men Free
Volume 3 - Through the Perilous Fight
Volume 4 - One Nation Under God

N. C. Allen’s Blog

A Porcelain Birthday Wish! Ouch!!!!

Happy March 28th! Things are going great here. I hope you are doing the same.

Of late, I've been working on the first story for Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off - Volume II. It is a very emotional tale from 1964 and I've made use of a series of flashbacks to help me tell it. I enjoy seeing flashbacks in the works of others, but at first, I found them a bit difficult to write myself. I assumed that my writing habits were in the way so I did some brainstorming.
I tend to get small blocks of time in which to write - typically five to fifteen minutes, zero to five times a day. The sporatic intervals of interruption totally prevented me from remembering where I was in the telling, so I finally got creative in my approach to writing flashbacks. I took the story's timeline and wrote it succinctly. With the short outline in easy reach for reference, coming back to the place I had left off wasn't too tough. The story is progressing nicely now and I hope to begin work on the second one in a week or so.

As for my recent adventures, I don't often stop my semi just to take photographs, but yesterday I made an interesting exception. Over time, I have taken several nice shots. Some are artsy, some are scenic, this one is funny. In honour of this picture, I have launched a new slide show category: Adventures in Trucking. Enjoy - and thanks for stopping by!

Family Gatherings and Changing Weather

On March 21st, Diana and I took our family out to Boston Pizza for a very tasty and fun supper. Our two grandchildren, Triston and Brandi and their parents had come to visit for a couple of days. The main purpose of the visit was to assist our youngest daughter and her husband in moving to Dawson Creek, B.C. With the U-Haul trailer packed to the rafters and the apartment clean, we gathered to eat, relax and enjoy. March 20th and 21st had been beautiful days. It was shirt-sleeve weather both days, but by Sunday morning, a nasty storm front had moved in. The entire Province of Alberta was blanketed with snow. The warm temperatures initially melted the moisture, but after a few hours, the roads were covered with ice. The trip from Southern Alberta to Dawson Creek can be made in less than twelve hours of driving - if you travel over 110kph (70mph). We worried all day as six members of our family navigated the route. They left at 5AM and finally arrived in Dawson that night, just after 10PM! Ouch!! We were grateful they had visited and grateful for the wonderful weather to load in, but the final day of their excursion was brutal! Here are a few shots of the snowy aftermath.

Sun Dogs and Lightning Strikes

As a writer, I try to present a groundswell of movement in my work, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. Since my last post was rather serious, a little mood lightening seems in order.
These two sets of photographs were taken on August of 1997 and February of 2008. Both photos are multiple images - put together in Photoshop, but the pictures of the lightning began their lives as slides.

For the 1997 panorama, we were camping at a lake near Cardston, Alberta. The night was unusually calm, but not across the water. If memory serves, my exposures were in the neighbourhood of 60 seconds each and I used four images to make the finished scene. An hour after packing up my tripod, the wind came up and blew so strongly that the next morning we packed up our wet stuff and relocated to a more protected campground about 30 kilometres away. Oh the memories!

As for the sun & sundogs, the ambient temperature was around –25 Celsius (-5 Fahrenheit) and I was heading south in my semi, after just unloading some grain. Some who view this photograph may think that the giant rainbow-like circle is lens flare, but not so. Except for a bit of flare over top of the snow, what I actually saw was perfectly captured by my faithful camera. Sundogs occur on cold days when there is moisture in the atmosphere for the sun to reflect off of. As the light bounces through the moisture, the effect is similar to a rainbow. Usually, sundogs are not seen in pairs, nor are they normally so large.