Once I begin my manuscript, I do not stop to follow an outline or rarely my notes. I let it flow and allow for the big logs to break through the brain dams until I finish the last page of the Epilogue. As I waited last night for John Alex to get me set up online, I began "Jake's War", with my Dedication page, Author's Notes; providing a setting and some brief history I believe a reader shall need. Who knows it might also hand out an ounce of historical knowledge to those who haven't read a thing about the State of Arizona and its beginnings.
When I was 9 years old, my Dad left my Mom and I in California, and he moved to Phoenix, Arizona to begin a new future. Now my Mom and Dad had a great relationship, they loved each other, but couldn't stand living together. They were both too much alike, with similar temperaments and the old man was a self-proclaimed atheist and the rest of the family were Mormons at that time. I was born and raised up in it for 27-years. Now my siblings and I never saw our parents fight, much less argue, but apparently they needed a state border between themselves. I was sent down every summer for two weeks and that length of time grew as I got older and could take care of myself. This was how I learned about Arizona. My Dad and I would load up into one of his vehicles and head out into the Arizona desert and explore the land. We visited old forts turned into museums, abandoned gold mines and walked many of the trails used by the Apache and Navajo. You'll find some of my personal wanderings in Blake's War- actual spots I saw in one of a hundred or more excursions I made with my father. Later, my father married a most wonderful and loving woman- Bea, who became my second mother. I never much liked the word "step-mother". I gained a new brother- my best friend and three new sisters. My trips to Arizona became more exciting than ever, with a lot more practical jokes, too. I used to love to chase my little sisters around with live crawdads in my hands. Later, we'd boil these mini-lobsters and chomp on 'em.
Back to writing- I then began with Chapter One and it was like playing on my first drum set. Now I might have said it was similar to building one's first car or motorcycle, but I've already explained to you my lack of mechanical skill. But, I could play drums in my early years. Though after I was injured in 1986, DRAT that accursed day (only for that reason, as my beautiful baby daughter Micah Sue was also born that same day), I gradually switched from a drum set to playing stand-up congas. These are not bongos, as I often point out to non-musicians. Congas are the tall drums and my set is a three piece set. I also have hand percussion pieces, standing chimes and a hand crash cymbal. Properly set up with 4-5 microphones, I can really make a racket. I've been playing on church worship teams for quite awhile now, except until recently when I've had to take some time off. I am 61 years old now and the rest of the worship team is currently all under 20. Play that funky music...
This is only the first draft, which I will write the entire manuscript before I go back to edit and re-edit. The first couple editions will probably be too long and too many words, which bothers the publisher as the book costs more. A Coming Storm was 560-pages and well-over 260,000 words. I never knew I was capable of such a lengthy story, especially after cutting off over 900 pages from the first couple of editions. But that is the life of a writer. What he sees in his head is not always what the publisher sees. The problem lies in converting the picture in his head to paper in the fewest of words without losing the reader. I keep three books at my side while writing: Webster's New Thesaurus, Webster's 2-book Dictionary and my Bible. For this book, I brought out the Sander's Family 70-year old Holy Bible for accurate scriptures used even as far back as 1860's. There is a lot of American history in the Sanders Family and one day I'd like to write about it. As to my side, well...from what I have learned we came over from Germany- my mom's side and my dad's, but my old man's side was with the Hessian force, mercenaries hired to fight with the British against the colonies. When the British lost the war, that side of the family fled to Eastern Canada and stayed there for some time. But when my Great-Grandfather was murdered on a train for some unknown reason, a part of the family left Canada and moved to Wisconsin.
Now my Dad, he led an exciting life. He and his three sisters were put into an orphanage so they could be fed, and his father had left Wisconsin to move to California to find work. He was a real old fashioned blacksmith. Some things happened I see no need to go into and my father ran away at 8 yrs old and hitchhiked to Texas, where he though his dad was. He got picked up by Texas State Police and returned to the Orphanage. A year later a very determined 9 year old ran away from the state house and rode the trains to California and here he found his Dad. They stayed together until my Dad entered the U.S. Army at 17, with his Dad's permission. He went to Japan and was in one of the first armor units called up to go to Korea when that war kicked off. Now can you imagine s ending a 9 year old to travel alone cross country on freight cars in 1943-44.
Let's go to the news briefs:
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, advised a U.S. Senate Hearing yesterday of how the Ebola Virus could be weaponized. But it would have to be done by a state-run program, to have the funding needed to be safe enough to protect the workers and the host country from an outbreak.
Iraqi diplomat has warned the Pope of how he is at risk of assassination by the Islamic State, while visiting Albania.
Islamist Terrorists in Pakistan seized control of a Pakistani Navy vessel, a frigate and planned to attack US navy vessels nearby. But a raid by Pakistan Army troops seized control of the ship before that could happen. Still, it did demonstrate how strong Islamist Terrorists are becoming in the area. It also raised questions about nuclear-armed Pakistan's ability to guard and protect its installations.
President Obama announced the Ebola epidemic is "spiraling out of control". He further stated in an address to the Senate of how he will be sending 3,000 military personnel to West Africa as medical and logistical support for the overwhelmed local health care system fighting the Ebola outbreak. The force will plan to train 500-health care workers a week; erect 17 new health care facilities; set up joint command headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia; provide home health care kits to hundreds of thousands to West African households, including 50,000 to soon be delivered to Liberia this week; train local populations how to handle exposed patients.
The Marine imprisoned in Mexico has been released and is back in the U.S. after all the political pressure brought to bare. But nothing is being done and all is but forgotten for the American church pastor was lies sick and possibly dying in Iran's worst prison. Here he is tortured daily to deny his Lord and accept Islam, most likely to be then beheaded before he can change his mind, as this is the case over Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and other Muslim countries outside the Free World. The US Government offered a few kind words for him months ago and then ignored him. Does this not demonstrate once more what President Obama feel for Christians. The pastor's family remain in the U.S. praying and pleading, but it appears no one in the Administration is listening. We traded 5 high ranking Muslim insurgents for one Marine who may or may not be a traitor...what's a church pastor worth, Mr. President? Now if the Pastor has been silently released and I have not read anything about it, I do apologize for this. If Not, Mr. Obama I do look forward to your last days in the White House and I hope you enjoy writing your book. Each page has blood on it.
Egypt Cabinet forms up two committees to enhance ties with China and Russia.
General Dempsey, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on 9/16/14, that U.S. ground troops could be called upon to do battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, if circumstances require the need. But later, an unhappy President Obama came out on the 17th to say "No!". He has no plans to use grounds troops. But ground troops are already there and what happens when they become endangered and risk being overrun. Then what?
U.S. plans to target Jihadist "safe havens" in Syria. ( But won't this violate United Nations Rules of Engagement. The Security Council of the U.N. has not authorized said attacks and with China and Russia on the council it is doubtful they ever will, since it only take one vote to shoot down a desired sanction or law. (If we were to violate the U.N., this means technically we'd be in conflict with NATO and Russia, as well as China. This does not sound very smart, but I am only a book writer in Moose Pass, Alaska.)
U.S. has growing concerns about hundreds of westerners fighting with the Islamic State, including a dozen or so Americans. They see this as a growing security concern as more and more college students are signing petitions of alliance with the Islamic State. ( But who is spreading these petitions- the Islamic State propaganda machine through local Muslim militants, OR the Central Intelligence Agency gathering names for possible TRAITORS. Similar operations were done post World War Two in a search for Communists/Socialists and during Vietnam. Some of the Canada runners headed north for that reason. Before that, they ran to Cuba or even Russia.
Canada announces further sanctions and travel bans against Russia over the Ukraine Crisis; additional asset freeze and travel bans of 4 very high ranking Russian generals; economic sanction against 5 Russian manufacturers and 1 financial institution.
A 5.6 earthquake hit near Ibaraki, Japan on 9/16. No tsunami alert and only minor damage/minor injuries occurred.
Russia and Egypt plan $3.5 Billion arms deal as Egypt buys arms and planes from Russia.
A 7.1 earthquake, later reduced to a 6.7 in magnitude struck the waters north of the Island of Guam today. Little damage was done and no tsunami activity reported.
Jewish and Civil Rights groups are reporting that federal taxpayer funds are continuing to flow into numerous U.S. colleges and universities that use these funds on programs that promote anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and anti-American viewpoints. ( This is similar to what our universities did in the 1960's through 1990's, when they favorably taught numerous classes on pro-communism and pro-socialism.)
President Obama has reportedly announced he will decline to attend a dedication ceremony in October for a new Memorial Honoring American Veterans who have been Disabled Fighting for their Country in Wars. ( That takes a lot of gall.)
Canada confirms 3 cases of Enterovirus D68, with fourth under examination. In the U.S., Center for Disease Control has confirmed 100 known cases in 12 states. While nearly all enterovirus are minor respiratory attacks, which hit 10 to 15 million people in the U.S. every year, this D68 seems to aim for those who suffer from Asthma and this makes D68 extremely dangerous. It is also hard to track, as hospital staff do not often test for a specific type of enterovirus. But, health officials have asked have asked doctors to send samples to CDC if they suspect D68 might be causing severe respitory illness in their patient.
United Nations announed it would need $1 billion for an exceptional, international response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. World Health Organization, (WHO) has last reported 4,963 Ebola cases, of which 2,453 patient have died. But these are only known cases, being brought into treatment centers and health clinic or reported by military and civil authorities. WHO knows there could be twice to three times that number out in the secluded areas of West Africa, and the virus spreading further into remote villages, neighboring townships and possible cities.
I'm going to stop here now and do a new blog tonight with the last part of the Legend of Blue Eyes. But do not fret, I have many strange tales from my career at Edwards. Not to mention the very eerie tales of what occurred in Mona's and my 3-years with the Skagway Police Department. You wouldn't believe how many Americans thought Skagway was a part of Canada.