Day 113
At five am today I had some great ideas for my next story but I haven't started it yet. So I'll just write about...huh.
Well we have had some incredibly warm weather this winter and I'm hoping for the ice to be off the lakes by early April. The weather.com site is predicting 56 degrees a week from Wednesday That's almost warm enough for me to go to Reedsburg Dam and fish. It will depend on the water level. I can't stand up for long periods of time so I use a folding chair when I fish from shore. If the water is too high up on the bank I can't use the chair.
Fifty degrees is the lowest I'll go fishing in the fall but sixty degrees in the spring. With the ice melting and the frost coming out of the ground, it seems colder than in the fall when the ground is still warm. Usually the fish don't bite much in the early spring. At least that has been my experience. But the ones that do bite are pretty good size. Mostly I catch Bass and Northern Pike in the spring. The Bluegill and Perch and other pan fish start biting later in the spring/early summer.
Until then we plunge back down to high's in the mid twenties and more snow on the way. Typical Michigan weather. I have plenty of writing to do before the warm weather gets here.
Until tomorrow.
Ken
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Much Ado About Nothin'
Day 112
So I'm watching the Mystery Woman mystery marathon on Hallmark channel. It's a western theme and the murderer is a roustabout in a Wild West Show. At the funeral she proves who-done-it and the culprit escapes on a horse. Now, here are all of these "cowboys" standing around watching the bad guy get away so naturally the female bookstore owner/amateur detective jumps on a horse and goes after the guy. Finally, when those two are well out of sight, the others decide to get on their horses and go after them. HOKEY! I guess she must have read a book on horseback riding.
Hotel Transylvania. I've seen this movie at least twenty times and it's still good. Blah-blah-blah.
We had another taste of spring to come. I've got the itch to go out in my boat and do some fishing. But it was just a tease. Back to the cold weather tomorrow and possibly more snow. I can't wait for the real thing (spring that is). Soon I'll be complaining about the heat and biting bugs. As long as the fish are biting, it's all good. I just enjoy being on the water. Must be the sailor in me.
I haven't written as much as I had hoped to this winter. It is the perfect season to read and write. Next winter I hope to be promoting my book(s) for Christmas sales. Nothing more on that until it actually happens.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
So I'm watching the Mystery Woman mystery marathon on Hallmark channel. It's a western theme and the murderer is a roustabout in a Wild West Show. At the funeral she proves who-done-it and the culprit escapes on a horse. Now, here are all of these "cowboys" standing around watching the bad guy get away so naturally the female bookstore owner/amateur detective jumps on a horse and goes after the guy. Finally, when those two are well out of sight, the others decide to get on their horses and go after them. HOKEY! I guess she must have read a book on horseback riding.
Hotel Transylvania. I've seen this movie at least twenty times and it's still good. Blah-blah-blah.
We had another taste of spring to come. I've got the itch to go out in my boat and do some fishing. But it was just a tease. Back to the cold weather tomorrow and possibly more snow. I can't wait for the real thing (spring that is). Soon I'll be complaining about the heat and biting bugs. As long as the fish are biting, it's all good. I just enjoy being on the water. Must be the sailor in me.
I haven't written as much as I had hoped to this winter. It is the perfect season to read and write. Next winter I hope to be promoting my book(s) for Christmas sales. Nothing more on that until it actually happens.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Saturday, February 27, 2016
The Unseen-Part Five
Day 111
Cal and Jude took turns looking through the mirror, watching for Mr Chimp. After much discussion they had settled on a plan of action.
"I still don't see why we can't both of us get out of here", said Cal. "We just make Mr Chimp take us both at the same time."
"First we don't know he can transport more than one of us at a time. Second, I signed the contract so I'm stuck here, so far you haven't signed. And third, I got nobody back there anymore. Everyone I know'd is long gone by now. So only one of us is gettin' outta here."
Cal couldn't argue with Jude's logic. But that didn't mean he had to like it. You don't abandon your friends because things get tough. True friends stand by you no matter what. And Jude had become a true friend. When Cal was down and thought they would be stuck there forever, Jude had picked him up and told him there was always hope. Jude himself was close to giving up until he found Cal. Now he wouldn't believe they could fail. The plan would work, it had to work.
It was a long time before the imp showed himself again. Cal felt guilty leaving Jude but he swore to himself if he got out, he would find a way to return for him. He would not abandon his friend. For now, they had a plan and Cal put it into action.
He started doing the incantation. Over and over, changing the sequence, this time faster, the next time slower. At least a dozen times he tried to make it work. Each time he tried it he hoped it really would work. But it didn't work and finally Cal fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes.
Suddenly Mr Chimp popped into view, his jester hat flying. He cried out and scrambled to retrieve it, placing it firmly back in place on his head. "Not bad. For a first try that is", he said with a sarcastic grin.
"I want to go home", said Cal. "I want to know my mom is alright."
"Of course, of course, my dear boy", said Mr Chimp. "It's been so long. Your parents have moved on with their lives. They can hardly remember what you look like. And your so called friends, well, to them your just a ghost of a memory."
"I want to see for myself just the same. If you take me back and I don't want to stay I'll sign your contract." Cal was very convincing because he almost meant it. "If it's as bad as you say, I'll stay here forever and spy on anyone you say. I'll do anything you want. Just take me home one last time."
"Very well", said the imp. He reached over and put his hand on Cal's shoulder. Just then Jude came from behind the two way mirror and jumped at Mr Chimp. Mr Chimp tried to back away but his shoes got tangled up and he tripped, falling head over heels. Cal and Jude grabbed the squirming imp his scrawny arms, lifting him off the ground. He kicked his legs and tried to bite them. Swinging his bald head at them, his hat once again having fallen to the floor. "Eek!"
"Now your going to take both of us out of here and double quick or we'll twist your arms until you do", said Jude. But the imp just shook his head.
"No, I won't. You have a contract with me, that makes you mine."
"Well then, I'll just break your scrawny, little neck and be done with it."
Mr Chimp stuck out his green tongue and licked his purple lips, then came the all too familiar grin.
"Well, I could take Cal back with me. With the same understanding that if he doesn't like the way things are in the other world, he signs the contract and returns here, forever." Cal started to object but Jude cut him off,
"OK. Cal goes back and if he doesn't want to stay, well, that's between you and him. Deal?"
"It's a deal. Now I will retrieve my hat and we can be on our way." Jude started to relax his grip on Mr Chimp but then changed his mind and clamped down on the arm.
"Cal can get your hat for you." As Cal reached for the hat, the imp began to fidget nervously.
"Here you are," said Cal. Then he paused. "Wait, there's something in here." Mr Chimp broke free of Jude's grasp and lunged for the hat.
"Oh, no you don't!" Shouted Jude, his right fist crashing against the imps chin, sending him flying.
"Cal. Put the hat on." Cal stood with a bewildered look on his face then placed the hat on his head.
"OK. Now what?"
"Wish to go home."
Cal wished to go home more than anything he had ever wished before.
"Nothing is happening."
"Keep trying."
Mr Chimp had been dazed by the unexpected blow from Jude. He never would have believed the boy would fight for anyone or anything. The imps anger was aroused, his eyes smoldered a crimson red, smoke came pouring from his pointed ears. His hands were wreathed in flames. "I'll get you for that. When I'm finished with you, you'll wish you were never born."
Just then a thought occurred to Cal and he reached up under the hat. There it was, a small cylindrical object much like the scroll Mr Chimp had showed him that first day in the shop. He pulled it out and unrolled it. It was Jude's contract. Cal turned to see Mr Chimp, his whole body now covered in flames, advancing on Jude.
Cal yelled,"Hey!" And threw the scroll at Mr Chimp. Without looking he caught it in one gnarled, flaming hand. Too late the imp realized what he held, as the contract burst into flames and turned to ash.
Grabbing Jude by the shoulder, Cal wished to go home with all of his heart. Still nothing happened. They were trapped. Mr. Chimp was fully enraged and where a dwarf had stood, was a towering demon belching smoke and bellowing a scream that cut to Cals very soul. They were surely lost.
Suddenly it made sense. Cal smiled at the monster. Then reaching his hand up, he gave the hat a tug and pulled Jude backwards. Instantly the two boy's were back in the dusty antique shop. Staring at themselves in the mirror. They scarce had time to celebrate their freedom when they realized there was smoke. The mirror's wood frame had caught fire. The whole shop lit up like a tinder box.
There would be much speculation as to how the towns only historic building had mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground. Some suspected are but with the absence of insurance it didn't seem likely. Others just assumed vandals and still others didn't care. It was just a dirty old building taking up a prime location. No longer. The owner couldn't be located and eventually the lot was sold at auction to cover the cost of removing the debris.
Jude went home with Cal. Cals parents were told they had been abducted by some cult who had left the area after Cal and Jude had escaped. Since Jude had no family they informally adopted him. He and Cal became like brothers. Soon life went back to normal. With a few exceptions.
Jimmy the star quarterback quit the football team and joined a Goth band.
Tammy the head cheerleader caused a small scandal when she went to the prom with Cal. They actually had a very good time since she was so relaxed around him. He new her secret and didn't expect anything from her accept her friendship.
Mrs Teal received an anonymous letter letting her know that her ex-husband was already in negotiations with the attorney representing his young wife in their divorce. Hopefully the settlement wouldn't totally bankrupt him. Mrs Teal checked into a clinic the next day and within a year she was sober and engaged to be married to a college professor.
Jude promptly gained thirty pounds before they convinced him, there was always plenty of food. He wrote several historical novels about the great depression. Scholars disagreed on the accuracy.
Cal and Jude took turns looking through the mirror, watching for Mr Chimp. After much discussion they had settled on a plan of action.
"I still don't see why we can't both of us get out of here", said Cal. "We just make Mr Chimp take us both at the same time."
"First we don't know he can transport more than one of us at a time. Second, I signed the contract so I'm stuck here, so far you haven't signed. And third, I got nobody back there anymore. Everyone I know'd is long gone by now. So only one of us is gettin' outta here."
Cal couldn't argue with Jude's logic. But that didn't mean he had to like it. You don't abandon your friends because things get tough. True friends stand by you no matter what. And Jude had become a true friend. When Cal was down and thought they would be stuck there forever, Jude had picked him up and told him there was always hope. Jude himself was close to giving up until he found Cal. Now he wouldn't believe they could fail. The plan would work, it had to work.
It was a long time before the imp showed himself again. Cal felt guilty leaving Jude but he swore to himself if he got out, he would find a way to return for him. He would not abandon his friend. For now, they had a plan and Cal put it into action.
He started doing the incantation. Over and over, changing the sequence, this time faster, the next time slower. At least a dozen times he tried to make it work. Each time he tried it he hoped it really would work. But it didn't work and finally Cal fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes.
Suddenly Mr Chimp popped into view, his jester hat flying. He cried out and scrambled to retrieve it, placing it firmly back in place on his head. "Not bad. For a first try that is", he said with a sarcastic grin.
"I want to go home", said Cal. "I want to know my mom is alright."
"Of course, of course, my dear boy", said Mr Chimp. "It's been so long. Your parents have moved on with their lives. They can hardly remember what you look like. And your so called friends, well, to them your just a ghost of a memory."
"I want to see for myself just the same. If you take me back and I don't want to stay I'll sign your contract." Cal was very convincing because he almost meant it. "If it's as bad as you say, I'll stay here forever and spy on anyone you say. I'll do anything you want. Just take me home one last time."
"Very well", said the imp. He reached over and put his hand on Cal's shoulder. Just then Jude came from behind the two way mirror and jumped at Mr Chimp. Mr Chimp tried to back away but his shoes got tangled up and he tripped, falling head over heels. Cal and Jude grabbed the squirming imp his scrawny arms, lifting him off the ground. He kicked his legs and tried to bite them. Swinging his bald head at them, his hat once again having fallen to the floor. "Eek!"
"Now your going to take both of us out of here and double quick or we'll twist your arms until you do", said Jude. But the imp just shook his head.
"No, I won't. You have a contract with me, that makes you mine."
"Well then, I'll just break your scrawny, little neck and be done with it."
Mr Chimp stuck out his green tongue and licked his purple lips, then came the all too familiar grin.
"Well, I could take Cal back with me. With the same understanding that if he doesn't like the way things are in the other world, he signs the contract and returns here, forever." Cal started to object but Jude cut him off,
"OK. Cal goes back and if he doesn't want to stay, well, that's between you and him. Deal?"
"It's a deal. Now I will retrieve my hat and we can be on our way." Jude started to relax his grip on Mr Chimp but then changed his mind and clamped down on the arm.
"Cal can get your hat for you." As Cal reached for the hat, the imp began to fidget nervously.
"Here you are," said Cal. Then he paused. "Wait, there's something in here." Mr Chimp broke free of Jude's grasp and lunged for the hat.
"Oh, no you don't!" Shouted Jude, his right fist crashing against the imps chin, sending him flying.
"Cal. Put the hat on." Cal stood with a bewildered look on his face then placed the hat on his head.
"OK. Now what?"
"Wish to go home."
Cal wished to go home more than anything he had ever wished before.
"Nothing is happening."
"Keep trying."
Mr Chimp had been dazed by the unexpected blow from Jude. He never would have believed the boy would fight for anyone or anything. The imps anger was aroused, his eyes smoldered a crimson red, smoke came pouring from his pointed ears. His hands were wreathed in flames. "I'll get you for that. When I'm finished with you, you'll wish you were never born."
Just then a thought occurred to Cal and he reached up under the hat. There it was, a small cylindrical object much like the scroll Mr Chimp had showed him that first day in the shop. He pulled it out and unrolled it. It was Jude's contract. Cal turned to see Mr Chimp, his whole body now covered in flames, advancing on Jude.
Cal yelled,"Hey!" And threw the scroll at Mr Chimp. Without looking he caught it in one gnarled, flaming hand. Too late the imp realized what he held, as the contract burst into flames and turned to ash.
Grabbing Jude by the shoulder, Cal wished to go home with all of his heart. Still nothing happened. They were trapped. Mr. Chimp was fully enraged and where a dwarf had stood, was a towering demon belching smoke and bellowing a scream that cut to Cals very soul. They were surely lost.
Suddenly it made sense. Cal smiled at the monster. Then reaching his hand up, he gave the hat a tug and pulled Jude backwards. Instantly the two boy's were back in the dusty antique shop. Staring at themselves in the mirror. They scarce had time to celebrate their freedom when they realized there was smoke. The mirror's wood frame had caught fire. The whole shop lit up like a tinder box.
There would be much speculation as to how the towns only historic building had mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground. Some suspected are but with the absence of insurance it didn't seem likely. Others just assumed vandals and still others didn't care. It was just a dirty old building taking up a prime location. No longer. The owner couldn't be located and eventually the lot was sold at auction to cover the cost of removing the debris.
Jude went home with Cal. Cals parents were told they had been abducted by some cult who had left the area after Cal and Jude had escaped. Since Jude had no family they informally adopted him. He and Cal became like brothers. Soon life went back to normal. With a few exceptions.
Jimmy the star quarterback quit the football team and joined a Goth band.
Tammy the head cheerleader caused a small scandal when she went to the prom with Cal. They actually had a very good time since she was so relaxed around him. He new her secret and didn't expect anything from her accept her friendship.
Mrs Teal received an anonymous letter letting her know that her ex-husband was already in negotiations with the attorney representing his young wife in their divorce. Hopefully the settlement wouldn't totally bankrupt him. Mrs Teal checked into a clinic the next day and within a year she was sober and engaged to be married to a college professor.
Jude promptly gained thirty pounds before they convinced him, there was always plenty of food. He wrote several historical novels about the great depression. Scholars disagreed on the accuracy.
The End
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Friday, February 26, 2016
Day 110
Day 110
OK First let me apologize for The Unseen Part Five not being finished but I want the finish to be strong.
Someone once said, "Deadlines are made to be broken." I may have said it first but I doubt it.
So it's Friday night. No words of wisdom tonight.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
OK First let me apologize for The Unseen Part Five not being finished but I want the finish to be strong.
Someone once said, "Deadlines are made to be broken." I may have said it first but I doubt it.
So it's Friday night. No words of wisdom tonight.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The Unseen-Part Four
Day 109
The other boy's name was Judediah, just Jude for short. They determined he had been in the mirror world for 92 years. Yet he hadn't aged a day. Nor had eaten any food nor drank any water although he was mighty hungry and thirsty. There was no food on this side.
"Something about this place keeps us young and we don't need no food or nothin'. I don't know why 'cept it's a magical place. And that imp, what did you call him? Mr Chimp? I guess that's as good a name as any. He hasn't changed any either." Jude sat down on the floor. "I been watchin' the world go by out that there mirror. Everything outside the shop keeps changin' but inside everything stayed the same. It still looks like it did in nineteen and twenty four."
"When I first came to the shop", said Cal, "I thought I saw someone in Mr Chimps eyes. Was that you?"
Sho' 'nuff. I was tryin' to warn you off. See he covers the shop mirror when he wants to trick someone into comin' to this side. So I couldn't see through the mirror. You wouldn't a seen me in the mirror anyways. I'm right sorry you got stuck here."
"He taught me a spell to get back to the real world but I must be doing it wrong." Cal sat down and quietly sobbed.
"The one that you spin around, stomp your foot and spit. Yeah, he showed me that one too. I was stompin' and spinnin' and spittin' 'till I was dry. After awhile he just laughed at me. Guess he found it funny, me wantin' to go home so bad. He told me to try it one more time and it worked." Jude sighed. "I went back and things were even worse than before. Pappy lost the lousy job he had and couldn't find another, He was glad when I disappeared, one less mouth to feed. Then I found out my closest friend was beat to death, over a couple onions and half a loaf a bread. People was starvin' and dyin'. I couldn't sign his contract fast enough. I came right back and glad of it. For awhile. Eventually I figured out there was no food here either. Mr Chimp had disappeared. After I signed I only saw him when he came to the antique shop. Most of the time he ignored me."
Things weren't so good at home but at least I wasn't alone. I guess we can keep each other company from now 'till eternity." Jude's shoulders slumped as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
Cal wiped his nose on his sleeve. What was it father had told him? "Life is going to knock you down when you least expect it. You can let it beat you, or you can get back up, and tell it not today, your not going to beat me today. And you keep going."
He was not going to let this beat him. He stood up and then helped Jude get up. They would figure this out. They would find a way to get back to the other side of the mirror. They explored their world but never went far from the shop mirror for very long. They wanted to know if Mr Chimp was in the shop and watching them. They knew the imp was the key. But how? What were they missing? Mr Chimp could move between worlds at will, without any incantations or spells. He just moved from one side of the mirror to the other. They had to figure out how he did it. They had to figure out how they could get home.
The Unseen part five tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
The other boy's name was Judediah, just Jude for short. They determined he had been in the mirror world for 92 years. Yet he hadn't aged a day. Nor had eaten any food nor drank any water although he was mighty hungry and thirsty. There was no food on this side.
"Something about this place keeps us young and we don't need no food or nothin'. I don't know why 'cept it's a magical place. And that imp, what did you call him? Mr Chimp? I guess that's as good a name as any. He hasn't changed any either." Jude sat down on the floor. "I been watchin' the world go by out that there mirror. Everything outside the shop keeps changin' but inside everything stayed the same. It still looks like it did in nineteen and twenty four."
"When I first came to the shop", said Cal, "I thought I saw someone in Mr Chimps eyes. Was that you?"
Sho' 'nuff. I was tryin' to warn you off. See he covers the shop mirror when he wants to trick someone into comin' to this side. So I couldn't see through the mirror. You wouldn't a seen me in the mirror anyways. I'm right sorry you got stuck here."
"He taught me a spell to get back to the real world but I must be doing it wrong." Cal sat down and quietly sobbed.
"The one that you spin around, stomp your foot and spit. Yeah, he showed me that one too. I was stompin' and spinnin' and spittin' 'till I was dry. After awhile he just laughed at me. Guess he found it funny, me wantin' to go home so bad. He told me to try it one more time and it worked." Jude sighed. "I went back and things were even worse than before. Pappy lost the lousy job he had and couldn't find another, He was glad when I disappeared, one less mouth to feed. Then I found out my closest friend was beat to death, over a couple onions and half a loaf a bread. People was starvin' and dyin'. I couldn't sign his contract fast enough. I came right back and glad of it. For awhile. Eventually I figured out there was no food here either. Mr Chimp had disappeared. After I signed I only saw him when he came to the antique shop. Most of the time he ignored me."
Things weren't so good at home but at least I wasn't alone. I guess we can keep each other company from now 'till eternity." Jude's shoulders slumped as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
Cal wiped his nose on his sleeve. What was it father had told him? "Life is going to knock you down when you least expect it. You can let it beat you, or you can get back up, and tell it not today, your not going to beat me today. And you keep going."
He was not going to let this beat him. He stood up and then helped Jude get up. They would figure this out. They would find a way to get back to the other side of the mirror. They explored their world but never went far from the shop mirror for very long. They wanted to know if Mr Chimp was in the shop and watching them. They knew the imp was the key. But how? What were they missing? Mr Chimp could move between worlds at will, without any incantations or spells. He just moved from one side of the mirror to the other. They had to figure out how he did it. They had to figure out how they could get home.
The Unseen part five tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
The Unseen-Part Three
Day 108
At first Cal thought it was loads of fun. With a smile and a tug on his hat Mr Chimp took him into the mirror world. He immediately began spying on others and learning their secrets. Jimmy the superstar senior quarterback liked to put on makeup, black nail polish, black clothes and go to the seedier side of town, to the only goth club in the county. His girlfriend Tammy the head cheerleader, was only with Jimmy because it was expected. Secretly, Tammy liked girls more than boys. Mrs Teal, freshman English teacher, was getting divorced and put booze in her morning tea, when she thought no one was looking. That was just the start. The secrets came faster. Almost everyone had a secret.
After awhile it was becoming uncomfortable, knowing all of these secrets, knowing other people were just as unhappy as Cal. And just as lonely. It wasn't fun anymore. The final decision was made to return home when Cal and Mr Chimp had stopped at his parents house. There on the couch in the living room was his mother crying while his father answered a policeman's questions.
"Has Cal ever runaway before?" asked the man in the blue uniform. "Ever stayed out late?"
"No, never," replied his father. "He's always been a good boy. Very responsible."
"Any friends who might know where he is, or someone he might confide in?"
"He was never very...out going. Stayed mostly to himself I guess. We didn't really interfere in his personal life much. I guess maybe we should have."
His father reached over and took his mother's hand as her sobs grew louder.
The officer made a few more notes then said, "Well, we've checked with the school and they say the same things about him. He was quiet but a good student, never made any trouble. I questioned some of his classmates, they didn't know anything but showed some concern. He wasn't popular but he was well liked."
"Please find him", pleaded Cal's mother. "Please before something bad happens to him."
Whenever he had suggested he should go home Mr Chimp would change the subject. Cal was very worried about his mother and finally Mr Chimp told Cal what to do to get home, then tugged on his hat and disappeared.
The spell that was suppose to take him back home, back to the other side of the mirror, wasn't working. He had tried many times and was beginning to wonder if the incantation wasn't faulty. He began to wonder if any of this was real. If he tried really hard, maybe he would wake up at home, in his bed, just a bad dream. Then he would gladly go back to his dull, boring life.
Remaining in this other world was starting to wear on him. He was extremely tired and he kept hearing a distance voice. The voice seemed to be getting louder the longer he was here. He called out several times but no answer. Was there someone else here? He didn't hear the voice again.
Cal could go to any place that had a mirror just by concentrating on the location. He had needed Mr Chimps help to start but soon he could transport on his own. The question was where to go? He didn't want to go home because his mother never left in case he showed up and he couldn't stand to see her crying again. He vowed to make this up to her somehow, if he could just get back to the real world.
He decided to go back to the beginning. Back to the shop. It was the first place he met Mr Chimp, maybe he would find him there and discover why the return spell wasn't working. When Cal returned to the antique shop the mirror was so dusty he could hardly see through it. He kept looking for the imp but he was not in the shop. A hand grabbed Cals shoulder and he turned expecting to see his antagonist. Instead he saw a boy, younger than him, dressed in a coarse shirt and knee high breeches held up with suspenders.
"Where did you come from?" stammered Cal wide eyed. This was the first person he had seen on this side of the mirror, except for Mr Chimp.
"Please. What day is this? What", he swallowed hard," year is it?"
Tomorrow The Unseen Part 4.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
At first Cal thought it was loads of fun. With a smile and a tug on his hat Mr Chimp took him into the mirror world. He immediately began spying on others and learning their secrets. Jimmy the superstar senior quarterback liked to put on makeup, black nail polish, black clothes and go to the seedier side of town, to the only goth club in the county. His girlfriend Tammy the head cheerleader, was only with Jimmy because it was expected. Secretly, Tammy liked girls more than boys. Mrs Teal, freshman English teacher, was getting divorced and put booze in her morning tea, when she thought no one was looking. That was just the start. The secrets came faster. Almost everyone had a secret.
After awhile it was becoming uncomfortable, knowing all of these secrets, knowing other people were just as unhappy as Cal. And just as lonely. It wasn't fun anymore. The final decision was made to return home when Cal and Mr Chimp had stopped at his parents house. There on the couch in the living room was his mother crying while his father answered a policeman's questions.
"Has Cal ever runaway before?" asked the man in the blue uniform. "Ever stayed out late?"
"No, never," replied his father. "He's always been a good boy. Very responsible."
"Any friends who might know where he is, or someone he might confide in?"
"He was never very...out going. Stayed mostly to himself I guess. We didn't really interfere in his personal life much. I guess maybe we should have."
His father reached over and took his mother's hand as her sobs grew louder.
The officer made a few more notes then said, "Well, we've checked with the school and they say the same things about him. He was quiet but a good student, never made any trouble. I questioned some of his classmates, they didn't know anything but showed some concern. He wasn't popular but he was well liked."
"Please find him", pleaded Cal's mother. "Please before something bad happens to him."
Whenever he had suggested he should go home Mr Chimp would change the subject. Cal was very worried about his mother and finally Mr Chimp told Cal what to do to get home, then tugged on his hat and disappeared.
The spell that was suppose to take him back home, back to the other side of the mirror, wasn't working. He had tried many times and was beginning to wonder if the incantation wasn't faulty. He began to wonder if any of this was real. If he tried really hard, maybe he would wake up at home, in his bed, just a bad dream. Then he would gladly go back to his dull, boring life.
Remaining in this other world was starting to wear on him. He was extremely tired and he kept hearing a distance voice. The voice seemed to be getting louder the longer he was here. He called out several times but no answer. Was there someone else here? He didn't hear the voice again.
Cal could go to any place that had a mirror just by concentrating on the location. He had needed Mr Chimps help to start but soon he could transport on his own. The question was where to go? He didn't want to go home because his mother never left in case he showed up and he couldn't stand to see her crying again. He vowed to make this up to her somehow, if he could just get back to the real world.
He decided to go back to the beginning. Back to the shop. It was the first place he met Mr Chimp, maybe he would find him there and discover why the return spell wasn't working. When Cal returned to the antique shop the mirror was so dusty he could hardly see through it. He kept looking for the imp but he was not in the shop. A hand grabbed Cals shoulder and he turned expecting to see his antagonist. Instead he saw a boy, younger than him, dressed in a coarse shirt and knee high breeches held up with suspenders.
"Where did you come from?" stammered Cal wide eyed. This was the first person he had seen on this side of the mirror, except for Mr Chimp.
"Please. What day is this? What", he swallowed hard," year is it?"
Tomorrow The Unseen Part 4.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Unseen-Part Two
Day 107
Cal and Mr Chimp spent the rest of the afternoon together, Cal explaining why he felt invisible to the world and Mr Chimp nodding his understanding. After running down the list of injustices he had endured in his fourteen years on earth Mr Chimp raised a finger to pause the narration.
"May I make a suggestion?"
Cal looked annoyed at the interruption. "Sure. What is it?"
"If I could arrange for you to be, uhm, not invisible but unseen by anyone. I mean truly unseen. Would you be interested?" asked Mr Chimp. "I could make it so you could go almost anywhere and no one would see you. You could hear what your parents and others really think about you. You could be a master spy, discover other peoples secrets. Learn their deepest, darkest desires. I bet they'd pay attention to you then."
"And how, exactly, do I accomplish all this?"
"Well, you've heard of two way mirrors? A person looks in one side and sees himself. But look at the other side and it's like looking through a tinted window. You can see them but they can't see you. Get it?" Mr Chimps lips broke into a sly toothy grin. "Just think of the possibilities."
"I could see and hear everything?"
"Everything." The grin reached all the way up to the imps eyes.
"I could watch television all night long? I could watch an R rated movie?"
"Yes,yes, yes, if there's a mirror in the room," said Mr Chimp. "You could do all that but so much more. Think bigger. You could find out secrets. Secrets that someone doesn't want anyone else to know about. Something they would pay anything, DO anything, to keep secret."
The temptation to spy on people and then make them pay was appealing. Everyone would notice him once he knew their dirty little secrets. Then they pay attention if they didn't want their secret spread around.
"So anyplace that has a mirror, I could see and hear what's happening on the other side?"
Again the mischievous imp nodded his head, his black eyes shining in anticipation of what came next.
"What do I have to do?" Mr Chimp bowed deeply and his hat tumbled to the floor. There inside was a scroll. He quickly picked up the hat and placed it back on his head.
"Ah yes, here we are. Just sign here at the bottom line."
"What's this?" asked Cal.
"Just a formality. An agreement between friends absolving me of any responsibilities should something go wrong."
Cal began to look uneasy. He had seen this in the movies and it never turned out good. He was getting that queasy feeling in his gut again. Suddenly he heard a far away voice screaming at Cal to run. Now. And keep on running until he got home. He looked around but there was no one else there. Just Mr Chimp with the funny purple and orange jester hat, overly toothy grin and those haunting black eyes. Cal kept looking at the eyes. Mesmerized. Like two mirrors, he could see his reflection. Was it Cal's reflection? Or someone else?
The Unseen part 3 tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Cal and Mr Chimp spent the rest of the afternoon together, Cal explaining why he felt invisible to the world and Mr Chimp nodding his understanding. After running down the list of injustices he had endured in his fourteen years on earth Mr Chimp raised a finger to pause the narration.
"May I make a suggestion?"
Cal looked annoyed at the interruption. "Sure. What is it?"
"If I could arrange for you to be, uhm, not invisible but unseen by anyone. I mean truly unseen. Would you be interested?" asked Mr Chimp. "I could make it so you could go almost anywhere and no one would see you. You could hear what your parents and others really think about you. You could be a master spy, discover other peoples secrets. Learn their deepest, darkest desires. I bet they'd pay attention to you then."
"And how, exactly, do I accomplish all this?"
"Well, you've heard of two way mirrors? A person looks in one side and sees himself. But look at the other side and it's like looking through a tinted window. You can see them but they can't see you. Get it?" Mr Chimps lips broke into a sly toothy grin. "Just think of the possibilities."
"I could see and hear everything?"
"Everything." The grin reached all the way up to the imps eyes.
"I could watch television all night long? I could watch an R rated movie?"
"Yes,yes, yes, if there's a mirror in the room," said Mr Chimp. "You could do all that but so much more. Think bigger. You could find out secrets. Secrets that someone doesn't want anyone else to know about. Something they would pay anything, DO anything, to keep secret."
The temptation to spy on people and then make them pay was appealing. Everyone would notice him once he knew their dirty little secrets. Then they pay attention if they didn't want their secret spread around.
"So anyplace that has a mirror, I could see and hear what's happening on the other side?"
Again the mischievous imp nodded his head, his black eyes shining in anticipation of what came next.
"What do I have to do?" Mr Chimp bowed deeply and his hat tumbled to the floor. There inside was a scroll. He quickly picked up the hat and placed it back on his head.
"Ah yes, here we are. Just sign here at the bottom line."
"What's this?" asked Cal.
"Just a formality. An agreement between friends absolving me of any responsibilities should something go wrong."
Cal began to look uneasy. He had seen this in the movies and it never turned out good. He was getting that queasy feeling in his gut again. Suddenly he heard a far away voice screaming at Cal to run. Now. And keep on running until he got home. He looked around but there was no one else there. Just Mr Chimp with the funny purple and orange jester hat, overly toothy grin and those haunting black eyes. Cal kept looking at the eyes. Mesmerized. Like two mirrors, he could see his reflection. Was it Cal's reflection? Or someone else?
The Unseen part 3 tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Monday, February 22, 2016
Musings From My Mind: Apologetic Insults
Day 106
Quite awhile back, in my non existent musical career, I had the good fortune to actually sit in with a band. I played a harmonica solo (a few bars too long) and at the end we were rewarded with a standing ovation form about 200 people. The owner of the bar we were playing in even bought me a beer. A precedent ne'er unbroken. A week later I happened to be in the same bar and the band was on a break. There was an old codger on stage wheezing away on a harmonica. Well some folks I was with suggested I should go up and play a duet with this fellow. After much cajoling and the promise of a free drink, I stepped up to the stage and suggested we give it a try. The old fellow didn't even have to consider his answer, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm outta your league."
How could I possibly take such a tactful brushoff the wrong way?
Another instance, while at sea, the ship was having a chess tournament. I hadn't played chess much since I was young. My father, not a man to allow his sons to best him even to boost their confidence (more on this subject another time), soured me on the game of chess by employing the "twenty minutes to make a move" strategy, whenever I was close to winning. Being a teenager I had very little patience which he used to his full advantage. He almost always won. Frustrated, I quit playing. Now I was in my twenties and I thought it would be a nice to play again. I found a willing opponent. He was good, better than me. So after the first game ended so quickly I thought, "OK. I just need to get in a little practice."
But when I asked for a rematch I was more than a little surprised by my opponents response.
"Uh, don't take this the wrong way. BUT! Your not good enough for me to waste my time." We were at sea. What else was he going to "waste his time" on? That just made it doubly insulting.
It occurred to me a long time ago, if you apologize ahead of time before insulting someone, your not only an ass, you're a hypocrite. Your not sorry for what you are about to say or you wouldn't say it. Yet somehow, these jokers believe their honor bound by some higher power to give you the bad news that your not good enough. Incredibly, they make it seem that it's your fault they have to tell you that you don't measure up.
Now at the risk of seeming petty and unapologetic.
After his third try at "O, Susanna", a song not really fitting for a rock & roll crowd, the harmonica pro was booed off the stage.
As for playing chess, one of the officer's and I played several times after that. He won each time but did me the courtesy of asking if I wanted to play another game. After the fourth straight lose I bowed out, citing that my ego was too bruised to continue. It did mend rather quickly though when that same officer demolished the "chess master" in the first round of the tournament. Then suggested he should practice more. I was grinning so hard my jaw hurt for two days.
Tonight was suppose to be part two of The Unseen but it wasn't quite ready as I have had a very busy day. So The Unseen part two tomorrow for sure.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Quite awhile back, in my non existent musical career, I had the good fortune to actually sit in with a band. I played a harmonica solo (a few bars too long) and at the end we were rewarded with a standing ovation form about 200 people. The owner of the bar we were playing in even bought me a beer. A precedent ne'er unbroken. A week later I happened to be in the same bar and the band was on a break. There was an old codger on stage wheezing away on a harmonica. Well some folks I was with suggested I should go up and play a duet with this fellow. After much cajoling and the promise of a free drink, I stepped up to the stage and suggested we give it a try. The old fellow didn't even have to consider his answer, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm outta your league."
How could I possibly take such a tactful brushoff the wrong way?
Another instance, while at sea, the ship was having a chess tournament. I hadn't played chess much since I was young. My father, not a man to allow his sons to best him even to boost their confidence (more on this subject another time), soured me on the game of chess by employing the "twenty minutes to make a move" strategy, whenever I was close to winning. Being a teenager I had very little patience which he used to his full advantage. He almost always won. Frustrated, I quit playing. Now I was in my twenties and I thought it would be a nice to play again. I found a willing opponent. He was good, better than me. So after the first game ended so quickly I thought, "OK. I just need to get in a little practice."
But when I asked for a rematch I was more than a little surprised by my opponents response.
"Uh, don't take this the wrong way. BUT! Your not good enough for me to waste my time." We were at sea. What else was he going to "waste his time" on? That just made it doubly insulting.
It occurred to me a long time ago, if you apologize ahead of time before insulting someone, your not only an ass, you're a hypocrite. Your not sorry for what you are about to say or you wouldn't say it. Yet somehow, these jokers believe their honor bound by some higher power to give you the bad news that your not good enough. Incredibly, they make it seem that it's your fault they have to tell you that you don't measure up.
Now at the risk of seeming petty and unapologetic.
After his third try at "O, Susanna", a song not really fitting for a rock & roll crowd, the harmonica pro was booed off the stage.
As for playing chess, one of the officer's and I played several times after that. He won each time but did me the courtesy of asking if I wanted to play another game. After the fourth straight lose I bowed out, citing that my ego was too bruised to continue. It did mend rather quickly though when that same officer demolished the "chess master" in the first round of the tournament. Then suggested he should practice more. I was grinning so hard my jaw hurt for two days.
Tonight was suppose to be part two of The Unseen but it wasn't quite ready as I have had a very busy day. So The Unseen part two tomorrow for sure.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The Unseen-Part One
Day 105
The Unseen
by
Kenneth A. Stephenson
"Not bad," said Mr Chimp. "For a first try that is." Except it wasn't a first try. Nor was a second or third try. In fact it was the twelfth try. Cal just hung his head and looked defeated his dark greasy hair covering his eyes, tears ran down his cheeks. He didn't understand why the spell wasn't working.
It was simple enough; turn three times, stomp the right foot twice, spit four times and recite three times "Let the unseen, be seen." Had he gotten the sequence wrong? Maybe it was stomp the right foot (or was it left foot) three times, spit twice, recite the incantation twice and turn four times? His head hurt from trying to remember all the different ways he had already failed.
*****
Cal had been one of the plain people who go through life believing they are invisible. No one sees them, no one talks to them, no one picks them for their team (even if the teams are uneven). In school he was an average student with average grades and did nothing to cause his teachers to take notice. His parents weren't much better preferring to watch television or go out for a nice dinner without him. After all they knew teenagers loved their solitude, and hated interference, especially from parents. Besides he could take care of himself and he never got into trouble. So he was ignored. He was unseen, by anyone. That is until one day, while looking in a grimy antique shop window, he saw an imp. The imp crooked a finger at Cal inviting him inside.
"You can see me?" asked Cal. He nodded and waved Cal inside.
The front door was worn and the paint was peeling along one side. As Cal reached for the door there was a quick electric shock. Suddenly he felt uneasy and his stomach became queasy. He looked over at the little man wearing the large inviting grin waving him on through the door. As he stepped inside he was greeted with much enthusiastic hand pumping.
"Excuse me. But did you say, 'Mister Chimp'?'
"That's close enough. After all, what's in a name?"
"You can see me?" asked Cal. He nodded and waved Cal inside.
The front door was worn and the paint was peeling along one side. As Cal reached for the door there was a quick electric shock. Suddenly he felt uneasy and his stomach became queasy. He looked over at the little man wearing the large inviting grin waving him on through the door. As he stepped inside he was greeted with much enthusiastic hand pumping.
"Of course I can see you. You're standing right there, aren't you?" He looked Cal up and down then walked slowly all the way around. "Yes, yes. That's you standing there. Not always easy to tell." Giving Cal one last critical exam.
"Hello. My name is Mister Chewacha." It sounded to Cal like a sneeze and judging by the amount of dust in the room he wasn't surprised.
"Hello. My name is Mister Chewacha." It sounded to Cal like a sneeze and judging by the amount of dust in the room he wasn't surprised.
"Excuse me. But did you say, 'Mister Chimp'?'
"That's close enough. After all, what's in a name?"
It just so happened that Mr Chimp was a magical imp. He stood just above Cals knees with a short pointed beard and a well worn jester's hat of alternating purple and orange silk ending in eight sharp points. The hat, he explained, was his pride and joy which is why he could never part with it. He also wore brown pointed shoes that curled up at the ends, bent over from the heft of two silver bells that jingled when he walked. After a few minutes Cal felt at ease and decided Mr Chimp looked quite comical and harmless. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Tomorrow part 2.
Tomorrow part 2.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Ken
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Another Saturday Night
Day 104
Rest in peace Harper Lee author of To Kill a Mockingbird, a great novel ahead of it's time.
I was going to start a new story but I don't think Saturday is a good day. I don't get a lot of visits over the weekend. Normally. This weekend has been the exception so far. I've had 55 views since last night (Friday). Wow. That's really great.
Ordered two Dan Brown books in hardcover for $3.48 each with free shipping through Abebooks. Dan Brown has quickly become one of my favorite authors. His novel Inferno has been made into a movie starring Tom Hanks and has a release date of Oct. 28, 2016. I can hardly wait. I love the Langdon character.
Went to my brothers and played cards. Just returned home so nothing else tonight.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Friday, February 19, 2016
Review of Legend of Christine Dore
Day 103
So here's what I learned about writing a 4 part story on my blog. According to Google stats:
Legend of Christine Dore had 6 views,
Part 2 had 9 views,
Part 3 had 10 views,
The conclusion had 4 views.
I would really have thought the beginning would have the most views, then decline after that if the story wasn't interesting enough or I wasn't telling the story very well. It would seem that three parts are enough or readers thought the end was too grisly. Or they just got bored.
Maybe sea stories is a very small niche, at least for now. Maybe everyone was burned out by the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean, all four episodes and counting. Maybe Jack Sparrow should have been the captain of the Christine Dore and came up with some elaborate plot to save everyone. But that's not how the story goes. It could have used more description and more flavor, it was pretty vanilla. But I only put first draft on my blog and I only edit for spelling and grammar. I'm saving the final drafts for an ebook of short stories. Available this summer 2016 on Amazon Kindle and others.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Legend of Christine Dore had 6 views,
Part 2 had 9 views,
Part 3 had 10 views,
The conclusion had 4 views.
I would really have thought the beginning would have the most views, then decline after that if the story wasn't interesting enough or I wasn't telling the story very well. It would seem that three parts are enough or readers thought the end was too grisly. Or they just got bored.
Maybe sea stories is a very small niche, at least for now. Maybe everyone was burned out by the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean, all four episodes and counting. Maybe Jack Sparrow should have been the captain of the Christine Dore and came up with some elaborate plot to save everyone. But that's not how the story goes. It could have used more description and more flavor, it was pretty vanilla. But I only put first draft on my blog and I only edit for spelling and grammar. I'm saving the final drafts for an ebook of short stories. Available this summer 2016 on Amazon Kindle and others.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Musings From My Mind: Elderly People And Ailments
Day 102
For decades my grandmother dutifully sent out Christmas cards until her hand shook too much for her writing to be legible. That's when she asked me to come over and do it for her. Like any good grandson in his thirties I tried every excuse I could think of not to do it. Alas none of them could stand up to the "grandma needs your help" guilty feeling that comes from trying to escape the infinite boredom of addressing letters to people who may not even still be alive.
As I'm writing out the 100+ cards (did she meet all these people on Facebook?), she recites her list of ailments to go along with her holiday greetings. I think to myself, "Why would you want to depress people with a list of maladies afflicting your person, especially at the holidays?" When I tried to skip over the ailments and just write "Doin' fine. Hope all is well with you. Merry Christmas" She made me start over. Finally I acquiesced and wrote exactly what she dictated.
Soon after I realized complaints about health is not just for the holidays as my mother regaled me with the list of illnesses afflicting the "girls" at the beauty parlor. Each one was trying to one up the others as to how bad they were feeling and yet could still make it to the weekly hairdresser appointment. If I remember correctly several of them were dying and weren't ever sure they wouldn't expire before their next appointment.
So what is it with telling someone else about your problems? My first thought was they were looking for sympathy. OK I guess we all do that to a certain degree. But the ones (and there weren't many) who did boast of good health at an advanced age were looked down upon. Seriously? I don't understand. Being young and healthy is a good thing, but being old and healthy is an affront to the natural order?
Next I thought it must be like a badge of honor to have debilitating problems and still be able to carry on. What to do if you age well and don't have any health problems? Make some up. No one will believe you but at least you won't be a pariah among your friends.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
For decades my grandmother dutifully sent out Christmas cards until her hand shook too much for her writing to be legible. That's when she asked me to come over and do it for her. Like any good grandson in his thirties I tried every excuse I could think of not to do it. Alas none of them could stand up to the "grandma needs your help" guilty feeling that comes from trying to escape the infinite boredom of addressing letters to people who may not even still be alive.
As I'm writing out the 100+ cards (did she meet all these people on Facebook?), she recites her list of ailments to go along with her holiday greetings. I think to myself, "Why would you want to depress people with a list of maladies afflicting your person, especially at the holidays?" When I tried to skip over the ailments and just write "Doin' fine. Hope all is well with you. Merry Christmas" She made me start over. Finally I acquiesced and wrote exactly what she dictated.
Soon after I realized complaints about health is not just for the holidays as my mother regaled me with the list of illnesses afflicting the "girls" at the beauty parlor. Each one was trying to one up the others as to how bad they were feeling and yet could still make it to the weekly hairdresser appointment. If I remember correctly several of them were dying and weren't ever sure they wouldn't expire before their next appointment.
So what is it with telling someone else about your problems? My first thought was they were looking for sympathy. OK I guess we all do that to a certain degree. But the ones (and there weren't many) who did boast of good health at an advanced age were looked down upon. Seriously? I don't understand. Being young and healthy is a good thing, but being old and healthy is an affront to the natural order?
Next I thought it must be like a badge of honor to have debilitating problems and still be able to carry on. What to do if you age well and don't have any health problems? Make some up. No one will believe you but at least you won't be a pariah among your friends.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Sea Sounds
Day 101
I hope you enjoyed the Legend of the Christine Dore. It was inspired by true events. I have traveled under the ice shelf twice during my years of navy submarine service. The ice does make all kinds of sounds. A child crying and saying mama was heard by several of the sonarmen as well as other crew members that happen to be in the sonar "shack" at the time. One of the crew members remarked that the ice sounded like his wife moaning. I listened and then told him, "Your right. It does sound like your wife moaning." He promptly hit me with his headset. Such was life on submarines.
Sea life has their own sounds. Whale song is possibly the most well known due to it's relaxing properties. Dolphins were similar but a trained ear could tell the difference. Large groups of shrimp sound like popcorn popping or sizzling bacon. Ships also have distinct sounds. A well trained sonarman can tell how many blades a propeller (called a screw) has and approximately how fast she is traveling and if she is coming toward or away from the submarine.
ALL CONTACTS even friendly's are considered targets. An old submarine adage says."There are two types of ships at sea, targets and submarines."
Until tomorrow.
Ken
I hope you enjoyed the Legend of the Christine Dore. It was inspired by true events. I have traveled under the ice shelf twice during my years of navy submarine service. The ice does make all kinds of sounds. A child crying and saying mama was heard by several of the sonarmen as well as other crew members that happen to be in the sonar "shack" at the time. One of the crew members remarked that the ice sounded like his wife moaning. I listened and then told him, "Your right. It does sound like your wife moaning." He promptly hit me with his headset. Such was life on submarines.
Sea life has their own sounds. Whale song is possibly the most well known due to it's relaxing properties. Dolphins were similar but a trained ear could tell the difference. Large groups of shrimp sound like popcorn popping or sizzling bacon. Ships also have distinct sounds. A well trained sonarman can tell how many blades a propeller (called a screw) has and approximately how fast she is traveling and if she is coming toward or away from the submarine.
ALL CONTACTS even friendly's are considered targets. An old submarine adage says."There are two types of ships at sea, targets and submarines."
Until tomorrow.
Ken
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Legend of the Christine Dore Conclusion
Day 100
The first mate had gotten the launch ready to return to the ship and was trying to hurry Justice and his family back to the boat. They were already losing sight of the Christine Dore in the fog. It was a race against time. The seamen pulled the oars with all their might as the first mate fired his pistol to signal the ship. Lanterns were lit both fore and aft but the air was thick and the ship remained invisible. The captain fired a shot in return, the first mate set his course.
Harder and harder they pulled the oars, all hands watching for a glimpse of the ships lights.
"Ahoy! Launch off the port bow."
The fog relented enough for them to see their goal. Justice was confident; his wife sighed with relief. As they drew nearer the child stood to see and lost her balance dropping her doll over the side. Without thinking she leaned over to retrieve the doll and slipped into the icy water. All eyes were on the ship so as not to lose sight of her again.
"Maaa-maaa!", the girl called. The cold robbing her lungs of air as she struggled to stay afloat. But her clothes were heavy and they pulled her under. Her mother screamed out her name.
"Christine...Christine." There was no reply. The launch came about, steering toward the last place they heard the girl. Moving away from the ship.
"Please", her mother pleaded, "Do something."
"Christine", shouted Justice. "We've got to find her."
Another shot rang out as the launch had moved back into the fog and out of sight. The captain wouldn't abandon them and continued after them, though night was closing falling. Eventually the captain fired off a cannon shot but there was no response. During the search for the landing party the ship had maneuvered between ice flows. Too late the captain realized his mistake. With no escape the ice squeezed her until she broke like an egg shell. The second launch was put over the side and the crew abandoned ship.
A rescue ship was sent to try to find the launch and survivors. Nothing was found of the Christine Dore or Justice Dore or any of the landing party. Although some of the rescue crew reluctantly reported hearing a child calling to her mother. Over the decades since, there have been reports shots fired and the sounds of a ship in distress when no other ships were in the area. Some believe that Justice Dore and his wife still search for their daughter calling to them from the deep."
We were ordered to return to port and made good time. Upon our return divers were put over the side to check for anything that may have caused the banging noise. A submarine is useless if it is not silent. Divers did find a rotten wood plank attached to an old rusted chain caught in the anchor recess.
At the same time we opened the sonar access in the bow of the ship. What we discovered there was never reported. Inside we found hand prints in the dust and a rag doll wet with sea water.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
The first mate had gotten the launch ready to return to the ship and was trying to hurry Justice and his family back to the boat. They were already losing sight of the Christine Dore in the fog. It was a race against time. The seamen pulled the oars with all their might as the first mate fired his pistol to signal the ship. Lanterns were lit both fore and aft but the air was thick and the ship remained invisible. The captain fired a shot in return, the first mate set his course.
Harder and harder they pulled the oars, all hands watching for a glimpse of the ships lights.
"Ahoy! Launch off the port bow."
The fog relented enough for them to see their goal. Justice was confident; his wife sighed with relief. As they drew nearer the child stood to see and lost her balance dropping her doll over the side. Without thinking she leaned over to retrieve the doll and slipped into the icy water. All eyes were on the ship so as not to lose sight of her again.
"Maaa-maaa!", the girl called. The cold robbing her lungs of air as she struggled to stay afloat. But her clothes were heavy and they pulled her under. Her mother screamed out her name.
"Christine...Christine." There was no reply. The launch came about, steering toward the last place they heard the girl. Moving away from the ship.
"Please", her mother pleaded, "Do something."
"Christine", shouted Justice. "We've got to find her."
Another shot rang out as the launch had moved back into the fog and out of sight. The captain wouldn't abandon them and continued after them, though night was closing falling. Eventually the captain fired off a cannon shot but there was no response. During the search for the landing party the ship had maneuvered between ice flows. Too late the captain realized his mistake. With no escape the ice squeezed her until she broke like an egg shell. The second launch was put over the side and the crew abandoned ship.
A rescue ship was sent to try to find the launch and survivors. Nothing was found of the Christine Dore or Justice Dore or any of the landing party. Although some of the rescue crew reluctantly reported hearing a child calling to her mother. Over the decades since, there have been reports shots fired and the sounds of a ship in distress when no other ships were in the area. Some believe that Justice Dore and his wife still search for their daughter calling to them from the deep."
We were ordered to return to port and made good time. Upon our return divers were put over the side to check for anything that may have caused the banging noise. A submarine is useless if it is not silent. Divers did find a rotten wood plank attached to an old rusted chain caught in the anchor recess.
At the same time we opened the sonar access in the bow of the ship. What we discovered there was never reported. Inside we found hand prints in the dust and a rag doll wet with sea water.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Monday, February 15, 2016
Legend of the Christine Dore Pt 3
Day 99
We were sea going men. Submariners. We had been tested and retested for the privilege of crewing aboard a submarine. For centuries long voyages at sea has strained the mental resilience of the hardiest of men. But submarines are a whole different level. Even US Navy Seals, the toughest, most courageous men I have ever met, have told me submariners are crazy and they were uncomfortable doing ops on board at sea. On the surface ships, men have been known to jump overboard when there resolve is drained and the strain of being at sea with no land in sight is too much. Now take away the sun, the moon, the stars and the wind. The passing of time is a clock and the POD (plan of the day) tells you what day it is, and your ability to withstand the mental strain is sorely tested. A sonarman who starts to "hears things" that aren't there, get's immediate transfer orders to a land billet. Mentally unable to cope with sea duty, or some such drivel.
So when my best buddy told me he had heard the voice also, a tremendous weight was lifted from my shoulders. Still we didn't talk about it to others. We didn't want any thoughts of mass psychosis among the sonar division. The more I tried to put it out of my mind the harder it was to ignore. I needed to know what had happened. What had I heard? I took a serious risk and went to talk with the sonar chief. He was a grizzled old sea dog who loved sea history. I hoped maybe he had heard of rumors of similar manifestations. It was not uncommon for the ships chief petty officers to know the scuttlebutt from around the fleet. These guys had been around and had memories like an ex-wife.
"You've heard it too then?" The chief looked at me with what could only be described as pity. "Ellis has already told me he heard it. So your not going crazy. The sea can be hard to understand and even harder to explain." He told me to sit and get comfortable.
"Have you ever heard of the Christine Dore? No? Few people have. She wasn't loaded with treasure, at least not gold, silver and jewels, so she wasn't of interest to anyone. This is how it was told to me.
In 1890, there was a wealthy business man named Justice Dore. He was married and had a beautiful young daughter. His wife's name was Ellen and the daughter was Christine. Justice decided to take his family on a trip around the world, traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe. Places few others had gone before. He purchased a ship and named it the Christine Dore. With an able captain and well seasoned crew they set sail from Portsmouth, New Hampshire north along the coast of Canada then to Greenland. Pushing further north to see the ice shelf and the polar bears. Against the captains recommendations Justice decided to take his wife and daughter, in the launch, over to an ice flow. He was a proud man and wanted to tell his friends back home of his brave daring. The captain warned them again that there was a storm coming and that the ship needed to move south, away from the ice. But Justice wouldn't hear of it. This was a once in a lifetime experience.
They castoff with four able bodied seamen at the oars. Plus the captain sent along the first mate with instructions to bring them back when the wind shifted, by force, if necessary. What the captain didn't realize, what none of them realized, was a dense fog was rolling up from the south. Just minutes after the Dore family reached the ice flow, while watching a polar bear, the fog surrounded them and cut them off from the ship. They were stuck on the shifting ice flow and moving away from the ship.
Tomorrow is my 100th straight day blogging and will bring an end to the Legend of the Christine Dore.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
We were sea going men. Submariners. We had been tested and retested for the privilege of crewing aboard a submarine. For centuries long voyages at sea has strained the mental resilience of the hardiest of men. But submarines are a whole different level. Even US Navy Seals, the toughest, most courageous men I have ever met, have told me submariners are crazy and they were uncomfortable doing ops on board at sea. On the surface ships, men have been known to jump overboard when there resolve is drained and the strain of being at sea with no land in sight is too much. Now take away the sun, the moon, the stars and the wind. The passing of time is a clock and the POD (plan of the day) tells you what day it is, and your ability to withstand the mental strain is sorely tested. A sonarman who starts to "hears things" that aren't there, get's immediate transfer orders to a land billet. Mentally unable to cope with sea duty, or some such drivel.
So when my best buddy told me he had heard the voice also, a tremendous weight was lifted from my shoulders. Still we didn't talk about it to others. We didn't want any thoughts of mass psychosis among the sonar division. The more I tried to put it out of my mind the harder it was to ignore. I needed to know what had happened. What had I heard? I took a serious risk and went to talk with the sonar chief. He was a grizzled old sea dog who loved sea history. I hoped maybe he had heard of rumors of similar manifestations. It was not uncommon for the ships chief petty officers to know the scuttlebutt from around the fleet. These guys had been around and had memories like an ex-wife.
"You've heard it too then?" The chief looked at me with what could only be described as pity. "Ellis has already told me he heard it. So your not going crazy. The sea can be hard to understand and even harder to explain." He told me to sit and get comfortable.
"Have you ever heard of the Christine Dore? No? Few people have. She wasn't loaded with treasure, at least not gold, silver and jewels, so she wasn't of interest to anyone. This is how it was told to me.
In 1890, there was a wealthy business man named Justice Dore. He was married and had a beautiful young daughter. His wife's name was Ellen and the daughter was Christine. Justice decided to take his family on a trip around the world, traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe. Places few others had gone before. He purchased a ship and named it the Christine Dore. With an able captain and well seasoned crew they set sail from Portsmouth, New Hampshire north along the coast of Canada then to Greenland. Pushing further north to see the ice shelf and the polar bears. Against the captains recommendations Justice decided to take his wife and daughter, in the launch, over to an ice flow. He was a proud man and wanted to tell his friends back home of his brave daring. The captain warned them again that there was a storm coming and that the ship needed to move south, away from the ice. But Justice wouldn't hear of it. This was a once in a lifetime experience.
They castoff with four able bodied seamen at the oars. Plus the captain sent along the first mate with instructions to bring them back when the wind shifted, by force, if necessary. What the captain didn't realize, what none of them realized, was a dense fog was rolling up from the south. Just minutes after the Dore family reached the ice flow, while watching a polar bear, the fog surrounded them and cut them off from the ship. They were stuck on the shifting ice flow and moving away from the ship.
Tomorrow is my 100th straight day blogging and will bring an end to the Legend of the Christine Dore.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Legend of the Christine Dore Pt 2
Day 98
"Con-Sonar...We have a new contact bearing 110."
"Sonar-Con...Do you have a classification?"
"Con Sonar... We're picking up under ice active sonar. It has to be a submarine."
"Sonar-Con...Roll tape on this."
"Con-Sonar...We are recording. Do you know if there are any of our subs in this area?"
"Sonar-Con...That's a negative. It's just us. We need to find out who that is and fast."
"Con-Sonar...I'd bet next months pay she's Soviet. They're the only others who operate in this area."
"Sonar-Con...No bet. We're coming around for another pass. Keep checking for a signature. If we can verify her as Soviet we'll bag ass out of here and radio a message to SubLant. For now keep running tape."
We did what we were trained to do. We concentrated on the new contact in the hopes it was a Soviet submarine. During the Cold War, US and Soviet nuclear submarines played a cat and mouse game. Mostly we were the cat. Our technology was superior. Just barely. In the excitement of recording tape and trying to track the other submarine, I had once again forgotten the strange crying child I would swear I heard.
We came out from under the ice long enough to send and receive message traffic. It was confirmed. Naval Intel had suspected there was a Soviet submarine in the area. Another part of our mission we did not have a "need to know" until it was practically on top of us. We went back to our ops area but no more contact. She had left the area. Since our primary mission was complete and we were low on supplies we prepared to leave the ice and head back to our home port. As we made our way to the open water, I picked up the crying child sound again.
Several other crewman heard it also, but this time it was coming from the ship. Our ship. This time it was accompanied by a banging noise, like someone pounding against the bulkhead (wall). We thought it must be someone in the berthing area playing a trick on us. Quickly one of the other sonarman went to the bow to check for the dumb ass making the noise. We had recently had contact with a Soviet sub and the only reason we heard them first is because we weren't active when they were. We had been lucky. But they would have no trouble hearing someone banging against the hull.
'The kid up there told me he heard the banging too. He said it was coming from the sonar access area."
"Did you smack him?"
"He swears it wasn't him."
"Yeah. Well if he does it again he'll be telling his story to the captain over the green cloth."
We heard the banging again coming from the same area of the ship.
"Sonar-Con...What's that banging?"
"Con-Sonar...We're investigating right now."
"Get back up to the bow and find out what the hell is going on. Now!"
Then I heard a loud explosion and the sounds of a ships hull splintering. Like a wooden ship crashing into ice and tearing apart, or just being squeezed until she splits and spills her guts to the sea. The voice of the child cried out, "Maaamaaa!"
"What was that?"
"I don't know but it has to be ice noise."
"But we're not under the ice. We haven't been for over two hours. What the hell is happening?"
The banging stopped. The crying stopped. All was quiet again.
Don't miss the conclusion of the crying child at sea mystery.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
"Con-Sonar...We have a new contact bearing 110."
"Sonar-Con...Do you have a classification?"
"Con Sonar... We're picking up under ice active sonar. It has to be a submarine."
"Sonar-Con...Roll tape on this."
"Con-Sonar...We are recording. Do you know if there are any of our subs in this area?"
"Sonar-Con...That's a negative. It's just us. We need to find out who that is and fast."
"Con-Sonar...I'd bet next months pay she's Soviet. They're the only others who operate in this area."
"Sonar-Con...No bet. We're coming around for another pass. Keep checking for a signature. If we can verify her as Soviet we'll bag ass out of here and radio a message to SubLant. For now keep running tape."
We did what we were trained to do. We concentrated on the new contact in the hopes it was a Soviet submarine. During the Cold War, US and Soviet nuclear submarines played a cat and mouse game. Mostly we were the cat. Our technology was superior. Just barely. In the excitement of recording tape and trying to track the other submarine, I had once again forgotten the strange crying child I would swear I heard.
We came out from under the ice long enough to send and receive message traffic. It was confirmed. Naval Intel had suspected there was a Soviet submarine in the area. Another part of our mission we did not have a "need to know" until it was practically on top of us. We went back to our ops area but no more contact. She had left the area. Since our primary mission was complete and we were low on supplies we prepared to leave the ice and head back to our home port. As we made our way to the open water, I picked up the crying child sound again.
Several other crewman heard it also, but this time it was coming from the ship. Our ship. This time it was accompanied by a banging noise, like someone pounding against the bulkhead (wall). We thought it must be someone in the berthing area playing a trick on us. Quickly one of the other sonarman went to the bow to check for the dumb ass making the noise. We had recently had contact with a Soviet sub and the only reason we heard them first is because we weren't active when they were. We had been lucky. But they would have no trouble hearing someone banging against the hull.
'The kid up there told me he heard the banging too. He said it was coming from the sonar access area."
"Did you smack him?"
"He swears it wasn't him."
"Yeah. Well if he does it again he'll be telling his story to the captain over the green cloth."
We heard the banging again coming from the same area of the ship.
"Sonar-Con...What's that banging?"
"Con-Sonar...We're investigating right now."
"Get back up to the bow and find out what the hell is going on. Now!"
Then I heard a loud explosion and the sounds of a ships hull splintering. Like a wooden ship crashing into ice and tearing apart, or just being squeezed until she splits and spills her guts to the sea. The voice of the child cried out, "Maaamaaa!"
"What was that?"
"I don't know but it has to be ice noise."
"But we're not under the ice. We haven't been for over two hours. What the hell is happening?"
The banging stopped. The crying stopped. All was quiet again.
Don't miss the conclusion of the crying child at sea mystery.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Legend of the Christine Dore
Day 97
This is a love story though. at first, it may not seem to be such. It has been more than 30 years and the time limit of my nondisclosure agreement has expired.
I was once in the US Navy Submarine Force billeted on a fast attack submarine in the Atlantic fleet. The name of the submarine is of no consequence as our mission could have been assigned to any of several nuclear submarines. Yet it was our good fortune, if you want to call it that, that we were the ones chosen. Our mission was classified top secret and as such may still be so I won't disclose the name attached to it, Truth be told it was so long ago I'm not sure I can remember the name. Suffice it to say our mission was to spend two months (60 days) under the northern ice pack conducting several operations to gather data for research purposes. At least that's the official description we were given at the time of our departure.
I was a Sonar Technician third class. First let me explain, S.O.N.A.R. stands for SOund Navigation And Ranging. There are two types of sonar; the first is active sonar, sending a sound (ping) into the water and listening for a return echo, the second is passive sonar, which is listening only, for sounds. Passive sonar is the most commonly used on submarines. Active sonar alerts other ships of it's presence and it's location.
As a sonarman my job was to listen for other ships sounds in the water which included the sound of a propeller (called a screw), machinery noise, and cavitation just to name a few. We also picked out the sound of aquatic marine life; whales, dolphins and shrimp were common. Under the ice though brings a whole different collection of sounds.
I won't bore you with details of our transit to our station under the ice shelf, nor can I give you the exact location where we first encountered ice above us. It wouldn't really matter anyway. The pack ice is a living thing constantly growing, shrinking and moving. Huge chunks sliding off the outer rim and more forming toward the center. When ice cracks it sounds like thunder. And during all of this movement the ice talks. It screams and whispers and moans and cries as it moves. A living thing.
It takes a certain type of person to be closed up in a long metal tube with florescent lights and recycled air and a hundred other men for an extended period of time. Six weeks out and we were getting irritable and more than a little stir crazy. Especially in sonar. I had been under the ice pack before but not for this long. As I told you things under the ice are different. So when I came across this strange new sound I figured it was just the ice shifting. The sound grew louder, which it will, when the source gets nearer. I couldn't quite make it out at first. It sounded like the voice of a child. A few more seconds and, by God, it sounded like a child crying and calling, "Mama!"
I removed my headset, rubbed my ears, and put them back on. The line on my monitor had which signify's a sound and the direction it's coming from, had disappeared. I asked if anyone else had heard the voice but no one had. At first I thought maybe a whale. But whales won't go far under the ice because they can't come up for air. Maybe I was going nuts. The rest of my four hour watch was uneventful and quiet. It wasn't until five days later, I was listening to water sloshing against the bottom of the ice, when suddenly I heard the child calling "Mama" again. Then all hell broke loose.
To be continued.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Legend
of the Christine Dore
by
Kenneth A. Stephenson
I was once in the US Navy Submarine Force billeted on a fast attack submarine in the Atlantic fleet. The name of the submarine is of no consequence as our mission could have been assigned to any of several nuclear submarines. Yet it was our good fortune, if you want to call it that, that we were the ones chosen. Our mission was classified top secret and as such may still be so I won't disclose the name attached to it, Truth be told it was so long ago I'm not sure I can remember the name. Suffice it to say our mission was to spend two months (60 days) under the northern ice pack conducting several operations to gather data for research purposes. At least that's the official description we were given at the time of our departure.
I was a Sonar Technician third class. First let me explain, S.O.N.A.R. stands for SOund Navigation And Ranging. There are two types of sonar; the first is active sonar, sending a sound (ping) into the water and listening for a return echo, the second is passive sonar, which is listening only, for sounds. Passive sonar is the most commonly used on submarines. Active sonar alerts other ships of it's presence and it's location.
As a sonarman my job was to listen for other ships sounds in the water which included the sound of a propeller (called a screw), machinery noise, and cavitation just to name a few. We also picked out the sound of aquatic marine life; whales, dolphins and shrimp were common. Under the ice though brings a whole different collection of sounds.
I won't bore you with details of our transit to our station under the ice shelf, nor can I give you the exact location where we first encountered ice above us. It wouldn't really matter anyway. The pack ice is a living thing constantly growing, shrinking and moving. Huge chunks sliding off the outer rim and more forming toward the center. When ice cracks it sounds like thunder. And during all of this movement the ice talks. It screams and whispers and moans and cries as it moves. A living thing.
It takes a certain type of person to be closed up in a long metal tube with florescent lights and recycled air and a hundred other men for an extended period of time. Six weeks out and we were getting irritable and more than a little stir crazy. Especially in sonar. I had been under the ice pack before but not for this long. As I told you things under the ice are different. So when I came across this strange new sound I figured it was just the ice shifting. The sound grew louder, which it will, when the source gets nearer. I couldn't quite make it out at first. It sounded like the voice of a child. A few more seconds and, by God, it sounded like a child crying and calling, "Mama!"
I removed my headset, rubbed my ears, and put them back on. The line on my monitor had which signify's a sound and the direction it's coming from, had disappeared. I asked if anyone else had heard the voice but no one had. At first I thought maybe a whale. But whales won't go far under the ice because they can't come up for air. Maybe I was going nuts. The rest of my four hour watch was uneventful and quiet. It wasn't until five days later, I was listening to water sloshing against the bottom of the ice, when suddenly I heard the child calling "Mama" again. Then all hell broke loose.
To be continued.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Friday, February 12, 2016
Free Fishing Weekend And So Much More In Houghton Lake Area
Day 96
Michigan FREE fishing and park entry this weekend Feb. 13 & 14. For residents and non residents.
The Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest 2016 starts tonight with a special on bowling at Fred's of Roscommon. Saturday starts at Streamside restaurant with a free pancake breakfast with a Winterfest badge. Badges cost just $5. Then the Cardboard Classic at Pioneer Hill. The fishing contest at the northern Higgins Lake State Park. Also the snowmobile fun run. For more info.
Fast Eddies Vintage Snowmobiles Show. Head to head OutlawSeries snowmobile drag races on the east bay of Houghton Lake will be Saturday starting at 11:30 AM. Parking and lake access behind Eddie's Bar & Grill on M-55. For more info.
Winter in St Helen snow run this Saturday. With fishing contest and snowman contest.
For more info.
Who says there's nothing to do around Houghton Lake?
Until tomorrow,
Ken
The Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest 2016 starts tonight with a special on bowling at Fred's of Roscommon. Saturday starts at Streamside restaurant with a free pancake breakfast with a Winterfest badge. Badges cost just $5. Then the Cardboard Classic at Pioneer Hill. The fishing contest at the northern Higgins Lake State Park. Also the snowmobile fun run. For more info.
Fast Eddies Vintage Snowmobiles Show. Head to head OutlawSeries snowmobile drag races on the east bay of Houghton Lake will be Saturday starting at 11:30 AM. Parking and lake access behind Eddie's Bar & Grill on M-55. For more info.
Winter in St Helen snow run this Saturday. With fishing contest and snowman contest.
For more info.
Who says there's nothing to do around Houghton Lake?
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Nothing Special
Day 95
That's it. I'm taking the night off. I have nothing to say tonight. I know I've written this before. But this time I really mean it. I'm drawing a total blank.
So with that in mind or out of mind, if you will. I'm done for tonight. I have fulfilled my obligation to make a blog entry everyday for 365 days. So if you are reading this I promise to write better entries in the future, Thank you for stopping by.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
That's it. I'm taking the night off. I have nothing to say tonight. I know I've written this before. But this time I really mean it. I'm drawing a total blank.
So with that in mind or out of mind, if you will. I'm done for tonight. I have fulfilled my obligation to make a blog entry everyday for 365 days. So if you are reading this I promise to write better entries in the future, Thank you for stopping by.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Fat Tuesday Is Over...So Why Am I Still Fat?
Day 94
Paczkis' should be outlawed. I'm still suffering from the three I ate yesterday, plus the two I ate late this morning. Why can't I lose weight? I'm sure it's obvious to most people that eating that many calories in a day is going to put weight on most people.
How does it work? Put simply, to lose weight you must burn more calories than you take in. So if you eat 3000 calories in a day but you only burn 2500 calories, you'll gain weight. Conversely, if you take in 2500 calories but you burn 3000 calories you will lose weight. You will also gain or lose weight if you retain or expel water. Too much salt intake will cause water retention among other things.
Many fast weight lose diets will have you taking some form of a diuretic to help your body to expel water thus making it look as though your burning fat and losing weight. But you actually need to take in water to lose weight. Water washes away the waste product from burning calories and keeps the metabolism working efficiently.
To lose weight, watching what you eat is as essential as how much you eat. Healthy food choices speed up the weight lose process. Exercise is also essential to prevent flabby arms and legs. Without exercise the body will burn lean muscle mass first. You don't need a lot of exercise to begin with. Studies show faster weight lose with a moderate amount of exercise several times each week to start. A ten minute walk followed by a short workout with light resistance will work wonders. As time goes by you'll find yourself wanting to exercise more and more, but don't do too much, too soon. We want to tone and maintain muscle mass not add to it just yet.
The human mind is an awesome tool. It's scary what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. So if you don't really want to lose weight, you won't. Just saying you want to lose weight isn't going to get it done. You have to believe it. When you make up your mind to lose weight and get in shape, nothing can stop you. The best way to do this is don't think of this as a diet. Diets end, diets break. Convince yourself that this is a change of lifestyle. Then just eat good healthy food in small portions several (3-4) times a day.
At first it will be hard to eat a small amount but remind yourself you'll be eating again in just two to three hours. Then do something that will keep your mind busy for a little while. Something other than watching TV. Too many food channels and fast food commercials. Out of sight, out of mind. Soon you'll look at the clock and think, "Wow, it's already time to eat again." If you need to eat a little more at first that's OK. Just eat a small amount more. After a few weeks of eating small, your stomach will begin to shrink and you'll feel your stuffing yourself at each meal.
Always use a plate when you eat and portion it out in thirds. Do not heap the food onto your plate, even healthy foods have calories and too much of anything is bad. Follow the One Third Rule, one third lean protein, one third starch (potato, rice, etc) and one third vegetables.
Example: A 4-6 oz piece of skinless, boneless chicken, one third mashed potatoes and one third broccoli florets. Drink plenty of water (especially when exercising) and limit your salt. Generally the food you eat has enough salt without adding extra. Most healthy foods have plenty of flavor, you just have to adjust your taste buds. Acquire a taste for them if you will. If you must use condiments for flavor, stick with low calorie ones.
Exercise is important. Mondays and Thursdays take a ten minute walk or bike ride. Increase time after two weeks or when you feel comfortable. Eventually you should work up to at least 30 minutes walking, three or more times a week. Remember don't do too much too soon. And never do more than your comfortable doing. Don't push yourself until you are ready. A pulled or strained muscle can stop an exercise program and make it hard to start again.
After a few months, you'll find you've lost a significant amount of weight. You'll feel pretty good and your self esteem will be higher than it has been in a long time. This is a very dangerous time for your new lifestyle. If your like me you'll want to celebrate your accomplishment and you should. The problem comes in when you decide to celebrate by eating some of those sinful delights that made you overweight to begin with. DON'T DO IT! Nothing will sabotage weight lose like old eating habits. After all that's how you became overweight to begin with. Don't go back to it.
Celebrate by doing something different. Go see a show you've wanted to see. Buy yourself some new clothes. If your up for it, go dancing. Reward yourself with anything but food. Your new motto is "eat to live, NOT, live to eat".
Somehow, someone will always tell you, "You have to eat more." Do not be swayed. Stay the course. In the long run the naysayer will see that you are OK, and looking and feeling better than ever. They may even ask you for advice on losing weight.
One last piece of advice. Don't try to lose weight too fast. Often the faster you take it off the faster you put it back on, plus a little extra. Your body believes you have been through a famine and automatically stores more fat to prepare for the next famine. If you lose the weight, at a slower pace your body doesn't feel starved, then if you indulge a little (and you will indulge) your body won't quickly turn to fat. Never quit trying and you will succeed. That's it. Easy-peasy.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Paczkis' should be outlawed. I'm still suffering from the three I ate yesterday, plus the two I ate late this morning. Why can't I lose weight? I'm sure it's obvious to most people that eating that many calories in a day is going to put weight on most people.
How does it work? Put simply, to lose weight you must burn more calories than you take in. So if you eat 3000 calories in a day but you only burn 2500 calories, you'll gain weight. Conversely, if you take in 2500 calories but you burn 3000 calories you will lose weight. You will also gain or lose weight if you retain or expel water. Too much salt intake will cause water retention among other things.
Many fast weight lose diets will have you taking some form of a diuretic to help your body to expel water thus making it look as though your burning fat and losing weight. But you actually need to take in water to lose weight. Water washes away the waste product from burning calories and keeps the metabolism working efficiently.
To lose weight, watching what you eat is as essential as how much you eat. Healthy food choices speed up the weight lose process. Exercise is also essential to prevent flabby arms and legs. Without exercise the body will burn lean muscle mass first. You don't need a lot of exercise to begin with. Studies show faster weight lose with a moderate amount of exercise several times each week to start. A ten minute walk followed by a short workout with light resistance will work wonders. As time goes by you'll find yourself wanting to exercise more and more, but don't do too much, too soon. We want to tone and maintain muscle mass not add to it just yet.
The human mind is an awesome tool. It's scary what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. So if you don't really want to lose weight, you won't. Just saying you want to lose weight isn't going to get it done. You have to believe it. When you make up your mind to lose weight and get in shape, nothing can stop you. The best way to do this is don't think of this as a diet. Diets end, diets break. Convince yourself that this is a change of lifestyle. Then just eat good healthy food in small portions several (3-4) times a day.
At first it will be hard to eat a small amount but remind yourself you'll be eating again in just two to three hours. Then do something that will keep your mind busy for a little while. Something other than watching TV. Too many food channels and fast food commercials. Out of sight, out of mind. Soon you'll look at the clock and think, "Wow, it's already time to eat again." If you need to eat a little more at first that's OK. Just eat a small amount more. After a few weeks of eating small, your stomach will begin to shrink and you'll feel your stuffing yourself at each meal.
Always use a plate when you eat and portion it out in thirds. Do not heap the food onto your plate, even healthy foods have calories and too much of anything is bad. Follow the One Third Rule, one third lean protein, one third starch (potato, rice, etc) and one third vegetables.
Example: A 4-6 oz piece of skinless, boneless chicken, one third mashed potatoes and one third broccoli florets. Drink plenty of water (especially when exercising) and limit your salt. Generally the food you eat has enough salt without adding extra. Most healthy foods have plenty of flavor, you just have to adjust your taste buds. Acquire a taste for them if you will. If you must use condiments for flavor, stick with low calorie ones.
Exercise is important. Mondays and Thursdays take a ten minute walk or bike ride. Increase time after two weeks or when you feel comfortable. Eventually you should work up to at least 30 minutes walking, three or more times a week. Remember don't do too much too soon. And never do more than your comfortable doing. Don't push yourself until you are ready. A pulled or strained muscle can stop an exercise program and make it hard to start again.
After a few months, you'll find you've lost a significant amount of weight. You'll feel pretty good and your self esteem will be higher than it has been in a long time. This is a very dangerous time for your new lifestyle. If your like me you'll want to celebrate your accomplishment and you should. The problem comes in when you decide to celebrate by eating some of those sinful delights that made you overweight to begin with. DON'T DO IT! Nothing will sabotage weight lose like old eating habits. After all that's how you became overweight to begin with. Don't go back to it.
Celebrate by doing something different. Go see a show you've wanted to see. Buy yourself some new clothes. If your up for it, go dancing. Reward yourself with anything but food. Your new motto is "eat to live, NOT, live to eat".
Somehow, someone will always tell you, "You have to eat more." Do not be swayed. Stay the course. In the long run the naysayer will see that you are OK, and looking and feeling better than ever. They may even ask you for advice on losing weight.
One last piece of advice. Don't try to lose weight too fast. Often the faster you take it off the faster you put it back on, plus a little extra. Your body believes you have been through a famine and automatically stores more fat to prepare for the next famine. If you lose the weight, at a slower pace your body doesn't feel starved, then if you indulge a little (and you will indulge) your body won't quickly turn to fat. Never quit trying and you will succeed. That's it. Easy-peasy.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Fat Tuesday and the Five Dollar Bill
Day 93
Whoever decided to put Fat Tuesday two days after the Super Bowl had no consideration for my weight loss goals. I know someone out there is thinking that my weight problems are completely under my control. But I disagree.
First, almost all good tasting food is fattening (I read that on the internet so it must be true). Secondly, how can I lose weight when I am constantly barraged by television ads for fast foods? When I try to get my daily exercise by walking to the mail box, it's stuffed with fast food coupons. Who can resist Arby's Beef n Cheddar's 2 for $5? Or three regular roast beef sandwiches for $5? Hot and ready large pepperoni pizza for $5. Two McDonalds Big Mac's for $5. Can you see a pattern here?
So, for the sake of my waistline, when someone tries to give me a five dollar bill I'll tell them to give me a ten instead, and I'll give them back a five the next time I have one. This way I won't think, "Hey, I've got a fiver in my wallet, I should gorge on some fast food."
So what have we learned? Boycott the five dollar bill and the problem with obesity will be solved. I'm glad we have that straightened out.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
First, almost all good tasting food is fattening (I read that on the internet so it must be true). Secondly, how can I lose weight when I am constantly barraged by television ads for fast foods? When I try to get my daily exercise by walking to the mail box, it's stuffed with fast food coupons. Who can resist Arby's Beef n Cheddar's 2 for $5? Or three regular roast beef sandwiches for $5? Hot and ready large pepperoni pizza for $5. Two McDonalds Big Mac's for $5. Can you see a pattern here?
So, for the sake of my waistline, when someone tries to give me a five dollar bill I'll tell them to give me a ten instead, and I'll give them back a five the next time I have one. This way I won't think, "Hey, I've got a fiver in my wallet, I should gorge on some fast food."
So what have we learned? Boycott the five dollar bill and the problem with obesity will be solved. I'm glad we have that straightened out.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Monday, February 8, 2016
Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest Feb 12 & 13, 2016
Day 92
This coming weekend is the Higgin Lake-Roscommon Winterfest Feb 12 & 13, 2016. And the cold winter weather will be returning just in time as temperatures on Saturday are forecast to be in the single digits. But that remains to be substantiated. The way this winter has gone so far any predictions of cold weather has been inaccurate at best. The wind so far has come mostly from the south if it swings around and comes from the north we could get a gift from Canada. A gift of frigid air.
Colder air would be better for the Crazy Cardboard Classic at Pioneer Hill on Saturday starting at 10 AM. It's a fun time where groups compete with sleds made of cardboard, duct tape and paint. Judged by style and usability (can it make it down the hill). The crazy designs are what make this so fun.
The fishing contest is on Saturday from 11-3 at the North State Park. Some of the anglers on Higgins Lake have been pulling some monster pike and lake trout out of the lake this year,
There is also a Snowmobile Radar Run, Broomball competition, Polar dip to benefit Special Olympics, Chili Cookoff and much more. Badges are just $5.
Due to the warm temperatures this winter some of the events that take place on the lake may be cancelled. Better safe than sorry as we have already had on pick up truck go through the ice at Tip Up Town a couple of weeks ago. No one was hurt.
For more info see flyer below or click here to go to Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Super Bowl 50 Party 2016
Day 91
For the Super Bowl I'm having nachos (replaces pizza), cashews (replaces pretzels), peach yogurt (replaces ice cream) and diet green tea (replaces booze).
OK. So I'm alone, but that's cool. More of everything for me. I'm wearing sweatpants and a T shirt. Daddy don't get dressed up for nothin'.
With all the cheese on the nachos, I'll be having a shot of milk of magnesia in the morning. Then again I don't want them cashews coming out too fast, either.
Maybe I should have gone with the booze. I mean diet green tea is going to have me up all night peeing just like the booze.
I'm not a Lady Gaga fan but she sure has a great set of pipes. Did the national anthem proud.
So far the Doritos commercial with the ultra sound is the best.
Enjoy the game. Looks good so far. Go Denver.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
OK. So I'm alone, but that's cool. More of everything for me. I'm wearing sweatpants and a T shirt. Daddy don't get dressed up for nothin'.
With all the cheese on the nachos, I'll be having a shot of milk of magnesia in the morning. Then again I don't want them cashews coming out too fast, either.
Maybe I should have gone with the booze. I mean diet green tea is going to have me up all night peeing just like the booze.
I'm not a Lady Gaga fan but she sure has a great set of pipes. Did the national anthem proud.
So far the Doritos commercial with the ultra sound is the best.
Enjoy the game. Looks good so far. Go Denver.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Superbowl, Puppy Bowl and The Kitten Bowl... OH MY!
Day 90
Tomorrow (Sunday) is the big day. The Kitten Bowl. The Puppy Bowl. So much cuteness you'll have to pay extra attention when brushing your teeth. The American Dental Association rails against the sweetness while secretly sponsoring both cavity causing events. It will be rough and tumble and silly play as babies of all species seem to do. Oh, and later in the evening some guys are going to play football to determine the national champion.
Hurray. The Superbowl is finally here. The last I read a 30 second commercial during the Superbowl cost $5 million dollars. I could live comfortably for the rest of my life for about 5 seconds worth. I hear one of the winners of the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot is buying commercial time to show some recent purchases, just to make sure everyone knows they won the Superbowl of lottery jackpots. Some of the players now believe they deserve to be paid $1.5 billion dollars. After all it costs a lot to maintain the NFL lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. At least the puppies and kittens only want a loving home, although some would argue a loving home is priceless. I would agree with them.
I won't be spending $5 million on a Superbowl Sunday commercial, but I will splurge $5 on a small pizza at Hungry Howies. It won't help me lose weight but the Superbowl is the perfect excuse to break my diet for one day. As long as it's only for ONE day. Maybe I'll double down and get some ice cream too. There goes my diet. Well, a hundred hour on an exercise bike should take care of the extra calories. First I have to get on the bike.
My prediction for Superbowl 50. I would like to see Denver win because I believe this will be Peyton Mannings' last year. I think he will retire after this. But the Panthers have been an unstoppable juggernaut this year and my money is on Carolina to win. Another expansion team to join the NFL long after my Detroit Lions, but will win the Superbowl, long before the Lions do.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Hurray. The Superbowl is finally here. The last I read a 30 second commercial during the Superbowl cost $5 million dollars. I could live comfortably for the rest of my life for about 5 seconds worth. I hear one of the winners of the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot is buying commercial time to show some recent purchases, just to make sure everyone knows they won the Superbowl of lottery jackpots. Some of the players now believe they deserve to be paid $1.5 billion dollars. After all it costs a lot to maintain the NFL lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. At least the puppies and kittens only want a loving home, although some would argue a loving home is priceless. I would agree with them.
I won't be spending $5 million on a Superbowl Sunday commercial, but I will splurge $5 on a small pizza at Hungry Howies. It won't help me lose weight but the Superbowl is the perfect excuse to break my diet for one day. As long as it's only for ONE day. Maybe I'll double down and get some ice cream too. There goes my diet. Well, a hundred hour on an exercise bike should take care of the extra calories. First I have to get on the bike.
My prediction for Superbowl 50. I would like to see Denver win because I believe this will be Peyton Mannings' last year. I think he will retire after this. But the Panthers have been an unstoppable juggernaut this year and my money is on Carolina to win. Another expansion team to join the NFL long after my Detroit Lions, but will win the Superbowl, long before the Lions do.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Friday, February 5, 2016
1000+ Readers Visits From Around The World
Day 89
Just a quick one tonight. I reached another milestone last night with 1000+ views of this blog. I want to thank all of my readers from around the world for taking time to read my blog. I hope it has been entertaining for you and I promise the entries will only get better. Below is a sampling of some of the countries where my readers live. Russia, France and Spain also are on the list of readers. If I have left anyone off the list I apologize. Thanks again.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Why Get Married?
Day 88
Why do people get married? Ideally, two people meet and spend time learning about each other, they fall in love and want to share a life together. But that's not always the case. Sometimes people get married because that's just what people do. According to a certain radio personality Dr L, the sole purpose of a relationship between two people is marriage. Just look at the computer dating sites touting of the number of matches that result in a marriage from their particular match making formula.
OK. So what is marriage? Plainly speaking it's the government giving two people permission through the issuance of a license, to live together and engage in intimate relations. Then if it doesn't workout, you pay the government again to dissolve the partnership. Can you live together and engage in carnal relations without the governments approval? Yes. Today it is much more widely accepted than a few decades ago. But you don't get the tax benefits. And you will be condemned by the religious organizations for "living in sin".
So you've decided pledging your troth to another, is the next step for you. Before you can proceed you need to ask the other party if they are willing to spend the rest of their life intertwined with yours. This can be the most difficult task you've ever undertaken. The psychological aspects of a rejection can be devastating. But if you are sure your counterpart is ready to make the same commitment, then plan a situation when your courage will be at it's peak.
My favorite idea for a marriage proposal would be dinner for two in a nice restaurant, preferably one that is special to us both. After dinner and a couple of glasses of wine to settle the nerves, I would get down on one knee and ask if she would do me the honor of being my wife. What can I say? I'm a romantic. If this works for you by all means go for it. But there are some ways you just should not propose marriage.
How NOT to propose:
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Why do people get married? Ideally, two people meet and spend time learning about each other, they fall in love and want to share a life together. But that's not always the case. Sometimes people get married because that's just what people do. According to a certain radio personality Dr L, the sole purpose of a relationship between two people is marriage. Just look at the computer dating sites touting of the number of matches that result in a marriage from their particular match making formula.
OK. So what is marriage? Plainly speaking it's the government giving two people permission through the issuance of a license, to live together and engage in intimate relations. Then if it doesn't workout, you pay the government again to dissolve the partnership. Can you live together and engage in carnal relations without the governments approval? Yes. Today it is much more widely accepted than a few decades ago. But you don't get the tax benefits. And you will be condemned by the religious organizations for "living in sin".
So you've decided pledging your troth to another, is the next step for you. Before you can proceed you need to ask the other party if they are willing to spend the rest of their life intertwined with yours. This can be the most difficult task you've ever undertaken. The psychological aspects of a rejection can be devastating. But if you are sure your counterpart is ready to make the same commitment, then plan a situation when your courage will be at it's peak.
My favorite idea for a marriage proposal would be dinner for two in a nice restaurant, preferably one that is special to us both. After dinner and a couple of glasses of wine to settle the nerves, I would get down on one knee and ask if she would do me the honor of being my wife. What can I say? I'm a romantic. If this works for you by all means go for it. But there are some ways you just should not propose marriage.
How NOT to propose:
- Do not place an engagement ring in a glass of champagne and make a toast expecting her to see the ring before she swallows it.
- Do not take her to a major sporting event and have the proposal put up on a sign in front of tens of thousands of people and TV. You have put her in a terrible position. At best she says yes to save embarrassment, only to say no later when you are alone. At worst she says no. She looks like a witch and you feel like a huge fool.
- Do not propose just to try to save a bad relationship. In the end you will both be miserable.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
My Favorite Childhood Toy
Day 87
We didn't have Gameboys or Xbox. We had cardboard box.
A cardboard box could become anything depending on the size of the box. If it was the box from a refrigerator we felt we had won the Powerball lottery. It could be a race car, a tank, a ship or submarine. It was a castle tower. It was a tunnel leading to a buried treasure chest (a much smaller box). A small box could hold a much needed vaccine or safe cracking tools.
One time we were combination brain surgeons, rock stars and undercover spies, all at once. (I just want to add this was before Buckaroo Bonzai, he stole our schtick) As the heroes we never looked for a fight, but we didn't runaway from them either. Our fantasy's would play out for hours. In the summer we stayed out until dark. In the winter we came in the house long enough to warm up and put on dry clothes.
Our yard at home was small so we often played in the basement. But my grandma's house had a large grass lot. Grandma always had cans of pop and black raspberry jelly (very hard to find now). On warm summer evening's grandpa would sit outside and listen to Ernie Harwell announcing the Tigers game on the radio, with his soft southern drawl.
Today's generation is missing out on so much. But in forty years the youth of today will be saying the same thing. Each generation has it's own childhood memories. All we can do is hang on to our own and tell stories to anyone who'll listen.
A Gameboy will always be a Gameboy, an Xbox will always be an Xbox but a cardboard box can be anything you can imagine. My favorite childhood toy.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
We didn't have Gameboys or Xbox. We had cardboard box.
A cardboard box could become anything depending on the size of the box. If it was the box from a refrigerator we felt we had won the Powerball lottery. It could be a race car, a tank, a ship or submarine. It was a castle tower. It was a tunnel leading to a buried treasure chest (a much smaller box). A small box could hold a much needed vaccine or safe cracking tools.
One time we were combination brain surgeons, rock stars and undercover spies, all at once. (I just want to add this was before Buckaroo Bonzai, he stole our schtick) As the heroes we never looked for a fight, but we didn't runaway from them either. Our fantasy's would play out for hours. In the summer we stayed out until dark. In the winter we came in the house long enough to warm up and put on dry clothes.
Our yard at home was small so we often played in the basement. But my grandma's house had a large grass lot. Grandma always had cans of pop and black raspberry jelly (very hard to find now). On warm summer evening's grandpa would sit outside and listen to Ernie Harwell announcing the Tigers game on the radio, with his soft southern drawl.
Today's generation is missing out on so much. But in forty years the youth of today will be saying the same thing. Each generation has it's own childhood memories. All we can do is hang on to our own and tell stories to anyone who'll listen.
A Gameboy will always be a Gameboy, an Xbox will always be an Xbox but a cardboard box can be anything you can imagine. My favorite childhood toy.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Believing in the Impossible
Day 86
"There's no use in trying. One can't believe in impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had as much practice," said the queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
-Alice Through the Looking Glass-
"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever you have left, however improbable, must be the truth."
-Sherlock Holmes-
"I want to believe."
-Fox Mulder-
So often we believe what we want to believe. Even when contrary to the facts.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
"There's no use in trying. One can't believe in impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had as much practice," said the queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
-Alice Through the Looking Glass-
"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever you have left, however improbable, must be the truth."
-Sherlock Holmes-
"I want to believe."
-Fox Mulder-
So often we believe what we want to believe. Even when contrary to the facts.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Monday, February 1, 2016
Monday, Monday blah, blah, blah
Day 85
Wow. I really am stuck tonight. What to write about?
The weather has been pleasantly warm. So much so that our first vehicle has gone through the ice on Saturday. No one was hurt. Just a little more gas and oil in the lake.
Fisherman are catching monster Northern Pike on both Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake. I haven't heard about the ice thickness in awhile and with the warm weather it could be shrinking.
I'm planning to be in my boat fishing in April. Could be a good spring.
The first of the month so I took mom to get her nails done. Had the Chicken & Biscuits at Garretts today. It was OK but I'll stick with the Grilled Club sandwich & fries. Or the ham and cheese omelet.
That's it. The X Files is on. Then the Magicians. Then reading in bed Warlord of Mars, third in the John Carter series. Or Little Women.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Wow. I really am stuck tonight. What to write about?
The weather has been pleasantly warm. So much so that our first vehicle has gone through the ice on Saturday. No one was hurt. Just a little more gas and oil in the lake.
Fisherman are catching monster Northern Pike on both Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake. I haven't heard about the ice thickness in awhile and with the warm weather it could be shrinking.
I'm planning to be in my boat fishing in April. Could be a good spring.
The first of the month so I took mom to get her nails done. Had the Chicken & Biscuits at Garretts today. It was OK but I'll stick with the Grilled Club sandwich & fries. Or the ham and cheese omelet.
That's it. The X Files is on. Then the Magicians. Then reading in bed Warlord of Mars, third in the John Carter series. Or Little Women.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
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