Happy Mother's Day

My mom doens't read my blog. In fact, I don't think she would know how to even find it. But this one is for her.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. My mom has seen many of them in the past and hopefully many more in the future. I do want to take this opportunity to tell her how much I love her and appreciate everything she has done for me. When so many have turned away from me, my mom has always been a huge support. During times of trial, she was always there to tell me she had been praying for me and doing everything she could to help me make it through to the end. Thank you mom. In less than a month she will be celebrating her 87th birthday. I'm so glad I've had you and dad around this long in my life.

Also, I want to tell my wife Kim how much I love her and Happy Mother's Day to her too. She has picked up the pieces and done her best to assemble something respectable. I owe you so much and hope we'll be celebrating this holiday together 50 years from now. Ewwww...well...I'll be 98 then so maybe not.

And lastly for this week. The Deseret News has published a new article about my trip to Ireland with Heather. There are some cute pics of her too. I hope people who follow my travel articles in the Deseret News or the Mormon Times will enjoy this latest piece. Here is the link.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705372225/Emerald-Isle---a-beautiful-and-historical-treat.html?pg=2

September 11, 2001

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Mike Dransfield and I stayed at work on overtime to run the engines of one of AA's MD-11 aircraft after completing a B-check. I remember we had to take the plane down to the end of the runway rather than running it up on our own blast fence outside the hangar. The blast fence was already occupied.

After the run-up was completed, we were free to go. I remember specifically getting into my firebird and listening to the sports talk radio show I listened to every morning. At this point, nobody knew what was going on except that a plane had hit one of the two twin towers of the World Trade Center. I listened all the way home, a 25 minute drive. During that time, the second tower had been hit and there was no doubt the acts were malicious.

I could not go to sleep. I watched the television intensely as the first of the two towers fell and then the second. I remember feeling sick to my stomache and disbelief. Word came out that two of MY airplanes were used that day; one in the World Trade Center and the one in the Pentagon.

That night at work, after not having very much sleep, we performed A and PS checks on airplanes; airplanes that were parked all over, even lining up on the taxiways. The sky was devoid of traffic and the customary roar of jet engines at the airport was missing. American Airlines operated around 1,000 airplanes at this time because of the recent purchase of TWA. Every one of the planes was grounded and had to be parked somewhere. I've never seen anything like it since and hope I never do again.

The killing of Osama bin Laden seems almost as surreal as that morning. I have no idea what will come of  the news either. I worry that the media is too optimistic about it and yet I want to hope that the real threat of 9/11 happening again is over. But like the Hydra, you cut off the head and two grow back in its place.

I love my country. I fight back tears when I go to a Rangers game and the national anthem is performed. I appreciate what I have and what my family enjoys. I pray to God that he will continue to watch over our land and help those in authority defeat those with evil in their hearts.

It's decided!

It's decided! This will be the first WW2 bomber Kim and I fly on. It's the B-17 belonging to the Arizona wing of the Commemorative Air Force based in Mesa. She is named Sentimental Journey and we cannot wait to fly on her. Check out this link to see the beautiful girl fly.         http://vimeo.com/18135369

This particular plane saw action in the Pacific during the war. It's quite expensive to fly on but the price is tax deductable and we need the deductions so why not enjoy it?

Wanting badly to do this!

This is something I've been interested in doing for several years now but so far, the experience has eluded me. This is a picture of a North American B-25 Mitchell. It is one of a few that still flies and the cool thing is, several of them offer rides to the public.

The rides are quite expensive, 395.00 for 1 hour is the best price I've found on Miss Mitchell based in Minnesota. All it would take is two extra days of work and I could pay for Kim and I both to ride the beautiful WWII bomber.

I've also been thinking of doing something else that is related. Just west of us, in Midland Texas, is the original branch of  the Commemorative Air Force. They have the only flying B-29, Fifi, and one of two flying B-24's in existence. I've contacted them already and they would like me to volunteer time to help do maintenance on them. What an experience this would be. My problem is time. But maybe I could work a friday a month to help maintain an important part of history.

If Kim and I ride on the B-25, or any of the other three bombers you can still get rides on, I'll definitely update it here. And, I'm sure, I'll drive people I come in contact with nuts talking about it.

A very cool and sweet thing to do.

This morning I checked my fb page and was delighted to see that professional Utah model, Reesa Marie, had posed with 'Whispers from the Past' on her wall page. And, to make it even better, it sounds like she is really enjoying it. My thanks to her for the recognition.

Today at work I'm making final changes to Chapter 16 of 'The Inca Prophecy'. There aren't too many chapters left so soon, hopefully, my Peruvian story will be available. Check in again with Daniel and Kylee when they arrive in Cuzco, Peru. Kylee is mistaken for the return of a 17th century Inca peasant girl who, after being sacrificed, brought a century of prosperity to the entire Inca nation.

I'm also making way on my third novel, 'The Kiwi Conspiracy'. I'm currently on chapter 1 of my final read through before giving it to an editor. It's been a long time since I've read the story and I'm actually thinking its better than I thought. Still trying to find an editor so if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Go Texas Rangers !!!

Texas is now 6-0 for the season. At this rate, if we projecte out the wins and losses through the entire season, they would finish with the record of 162-0.  

It's Baseball Season !!!!!

Take me out to the ballpark! It's on again. Three games completed and the Texas Rangers are 3-0. Not only did they sweep their first series but they beat the team that many experts project to be in the World Series this year, the Boston Redsox. I think maybe a little more attention should be paid to the defending American League champions, what do you think?

Now some information on my writing

The Inca Prophecy is coming along! Kim is on chapter 15 on her final read through and once she is done, we'll put it in a PDF format and print our first proof copy. If everything looks well then, it will be available to the public. Out of my first 3 books, this one is my favorite story, my dad's too.

Still writing articles for the Deseret News and the Mormon Times. So far, four articles have been published in the print edition of the Deseret News in the travel section. Those are really graitifying to see. Also, in the online edition of the Mormon Times, I've had four articles published. One of these articles is different from the DN publications. Oh well.

I'm reading The Kiwi Conspiracy myself. It has been so long I need to determine if I need to rewrite before I send it to an editor. Once I feel good about this New Zealand story, I'll get back to a rewrite on The Eye of Magog.

Thanks for reading.

Eye of Magog completed !!!!

The Eye of Magog is complete.....taking a break for a month or two from it to finish some other projects then going through my first rewrite. I think this story is my personal favorite of the four I've written but 'The Inca Prophecy' would be a close second.
speaking of 'The Inca Prophecy', it should be out very, very soon. My wife is almost finished going through it the last time, telling me what she likes and doesn't, after I evaluate it, it will be in print.
News articles for The Deseret News and The Mormon Times has been so much fun. I've had five published between the two papers, 3 of which were front page printings of the Deseret News travel section.
Our own personal DFW employee weekly newspaper has picked up my travel articles. Amber and the tiger were splashed on its front page this last week. Thank you to Deseret Connect for allowing the employee paper to print them.

I'm excited about my writing.

Greek Isle Article Published in Deseret News Web

Last night another article was published in the Deseret News Web. This will be #5 and I'm pretty excited about it. I feel bad for my daughter Heather though, I wrote an article on Montreal, Canada which was a trip she went on but they have not published it yet. I am thinking my next assignment will be on Ireland which was all Heather. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705369008/A-taste-of-three-Greek-Isles-in-one-day.html?pg=1

Oh so close to finishing 'The Eye of Magog'. I'm probably going to finish it up in the next week or two. Then the next thing for that work is a break and then a re-write. I really, really like the story but there is always room to improve it.

Kim and I are about half way done finishing 'The Inca Prophecy' s last edit. I'm hoping to have it in print in maybe a month and then we'll go over it again and then it will be on the market. I know my dad is really looking forward to it even though he has read it before.

That leaves 'The Kiwi Conspiracy'. I'm going to make a couple of changes to things that are inacurate and then, maybe a rewrite. We'll see after the other two works are done.

I'm loving to write. I appreciate that so many people here at work have enjoyed 'Whispers from the Past'. I'll keep it up as long as I enjoy it.

The Eye of Magog

'The Eye of Magog' is nearing completion! I first thought of the story probably 3 years ago and now its almost finished. What will I do next? I have less than 8,000 words to write and ususally at this stage of one of my stories the writing comes very fast. I love the story, probably my favorite in the series so far. Thanks to my daughter Heather for going to Ireland with me. I love her so much but I don't get a chance to tell her very often. She is a special girl with a huge heart. When it is published, it will be dedicated to you.

Whispers from the Past has first book review

I was thrilled this morning to open http://www.mormontimes.com/article/19891/Whispers-from-the-Past-offers-unique-viewand find "Whispers from the Past" has been reviewed. Thanks to Danica Baird from the Mormon Times for her favorable evaluation.