For the past thirty-seven years I have been living a dream. In sixth grade I remember classmates gathered around my writing assignment that my teacher had posted on the classroom’s bulletin board. It was a report about my favorite bird when one of my classmates said, “Mike, you are a good writer!” I’ve always enjoyed a little praise now and then. It’s good for the soul and good for one’s confidence. Thank you, classmate for making that comment as it…..
I wrote another book! After I had released “The Easter Sparrows” I stated that would probably be my last book. The key word there was ‘probably’. 🙂 Up to that point I had written Children in the Outdoors, Volume I, II and III followed by Nature’s Christmas Story. An Easter story would round things up nicely or so I thought. Five books would be quite an accomplishment don’t you think? Then there were those other nine holiday stories that I…..
“Say That Again” is the title of my next book due to be released this summer. It didn’t take long to discover that the new book title might cause a little confusion. My wife, Kathie, was visiting with her friend Shirley on the phone explaining to her the theme of the new book. During the discussion Shirley asked Kathie what the name of the book was. Kathie responded, “Say That Again”. “What’s the name of the book?” questioned Shirley again……
A thinking iPad can be very irritating, and I’ve discovered mine has been going way beyond what my wishes would be. As we were experiencing the Pandemic crisis, I became aware that my iPad had that ability. Kathie and I received ‘the shot’ and one of Kathie’s reactions to the shot was an increase in phlegm and not just tiny amounts but multiple Kleenexes filled with the gross secretions! In the evenings as we watched re-runs of Hallmark movies Kathie…..
I’m used to attempts of fraud on Facebook where all you need to do is click on a site and you will win an iPad, complete set of tools, receive a package that is being attempted to be sent to you or hundreds of other tempting offers. Of course, by trial and error I’ve discovered they are all attempts to get something from you. Be it access to your passwords or gaining the ability to have free rein of your…..
This morning I was admiring the framed certificate hanging on our dining room wall that read, “Pinnacle Book Achievement Award”. Below that line followed the announcement, “Winner of the Category of Children Interest”. What an impressive looking award I thought but then I was reminded of the rest of the story. My artist Janine and I had indeed won the award but if I wanted to receive a certificate t0 memorialize the achievement I needed to send them some money……
I assumed my latest book Nature’s Rhyming Riddles was my first publication in poetry. However, digging through a box of memorabilia the other day I came across a 1976 June edition of the Wheaton Warrior school paper. The school’s mascot “Warriors” caused concern a few years back since it might be deemed racist. But that all quieted down as it must have passed societies’ smell test. If society would have become aware that the Wheaton Warrior’s school paper was called…..
As I mentioned in my last blog a six year writing stint for Minnesota Out Of Doors became my big break in getting my material published. That experience led to the production of the three volumes of Children In The Outdoors and an opportunity to travel the four state area putting on teacher workshops. But nothing lasts forever. In 1991 the magazine had financial problems and after a discussion with the editor I decided to retire the column. I did…..
Being an author is becoming a pressure filled job. When I first started writing in the early 1980’s things were much simpler. I would write something that I thought was the most awesome thing that anyone had ever composed and I would excitedly prepare to send it off to a publisher. The internet had not yet been invented so communication with publishers was either by ‘snail mail’ or the telephone. So becoming published was a very personal, private experience between…..
I retired from teaching in 2001. After thirty-four years attempting to inspire middle school and high school students and instill in them a love for life long learning I decided it was time to pursue another one of my favorite pastimes, writing. For the next three years I wrote and illustrated a variety of children’s stories. Today three of them have become published books. Nature’s Christmas Story, The Easter Sparrows and Holiday Adventures for Kids are all available on Amazon…..