Rick Buda Writes

Ok Some Car pictues

2007-09-16T18:06:00.001-07:00

Over a year and I still can't believe I own one!

Erratic at Best!

2007-09-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

As founder of the Chicagoland chapter of GMRoadster.com, surprisingly called ChicagolandRoadster.com, You'd think I'd pack my blog with Sky Roaster pictures. I don't know what it is -- maybe I just don't have the "picture gene."
That said -- here are some long distance shots of some 26 Kappas enjoying a beautiful night in Bloomington IL on Septemper 6, 2007.

2007-09-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Sept 8 show

2007-09-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

2007-09-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

2007-09-15T16:40:00.001-07:00

Bloomington car show

Early Sunday Morning

2007-08-26T05:06:00.001-07:00

With all the rain we've had this week (nearly a foot for the month that normally gets 3-4 inches) today should be interesting. We are off to Lake Geneva WI to ride with 25 or so Solstices and Skys. Should be fun. I'll try to post a picture or two...

On the home decor front. We've completed the construction phase of the basement finish. One wall has been chosen to have a faux block wall painted on to it... Again Pictures to follow (film at 11!)...
Later all.

Trying to catch up to all of you.

2007-08-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I actually wrote here. Looking at the pictures I need to interject some commentary. Primarily though, watch here for a more visual show with spurts of writing..

Some shots of out vacation home -- had a wonderful time. I take my 2007 Saturn Sky to auto shows -- meet lots of nice people and see some AWESOME cars too!
Been to the shows in:
Lemont -- wonderful, you park along the streets, people are walking buy all night.
Homer Glen -- Very nice people -- GREAT cars - met 2 more futire members (I hope) of the Chicagoland roadsters car club...
Mokena - Went on a Saturday - they had a band -- BIG crowd of lookers... Nice cars too!

Have a drive to/through Lake Geneva Aug 28th
Huge car show in Bloomington IL Sept 8.. Sky/Solstice night!!

2007-08-11T21:06:00.001-07:00

More pearl

2007-08-11T21:02:00.001-07:00

The black pearl

2007-08-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Sunni1

2007-08-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

This is the Front end - now a gas tank and storage area

2007-08-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

Note the key board. The car has a 10" screen in the dash.... The panels behind the seats are off -- normally the fuses, and engine are sealed into what WAS the trunk

2007-08-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

A 1981 firebird!

2007-08-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

350 big block with a toranado drive set in the rear! The headers had to be criss crossed (2 on on side then two pipes crossed over) to keep the lengths of the pipes the same. Owner told me it took 8 hours to bend and cut the pipes. They fit First TIME!

Started as...

2007-08-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Sweet...

2007-08-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Sweet...

2007-08-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

65 vette

2007-07-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

2007-07-28T17:13:00.001-07:00

Showtime!

2007-07-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Its showtime!

A shot from the lake

2007-07-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Blurry but that is the place from the lake. I think we spent the majority of every day either near, on or certainly in sight of Pine Lake.

Home sweet home

2007-07-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

2007-07-13T08:25:00.001-07:00

Ok - now i think i got it right

Is it just ME??

2007-07-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

I have the hardest time signing in here....
I have given up even trying to remember passwords and the like... Is it me? Is anyone else having problems? sigh

2007-07-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Looks like I need to restart...
Take out the old garbage - start to talk about the day, about what I want -- see if anyone cares to comment...
So -- Here I am - gonna try to say stuff each day (yeah, right...)
I have not been writing - but lately am getting "the bug".
I have been driving the Saturn Sky everywhere and meeting some new, great people. More about that too as we go...
OK I feel better

I'm Back~!

2005-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

OK -- I have been lazy long enough!
I have new projects -- new ideas and a plan...

I will outline some new stuff over the next few days (For anyone that cares -- or reads this..)

Hello there!

2005-08-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a nice three-day stay at a beautiful resort in Eastern Wisconsin. It is called The Osthoff Resort. It is as close as we can get to a cruise without going out to sea. The people there are very nice. The views and grounds are just breathtaking (you have views of Elkhart Lake). I was going to work on Starshot there but just got into total relaxation and had a great time.
If you live in the Midwest and are looking for a place to stay -- please try The Osthoff...

The Doldrums

2005-07-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Seems the summer doldrums have arrived. I apologize to anyone who is following this. I am going to put in a long entry here so: Hang on to your HAT!

Sure the 90+ days (sometimes both temps and humidity) just got me down. Other times it was just the shear desire to avoid work. That Entertainment room took a lot out of me! Now, after enjoying it and relaxing, I think I am beginning to look ahead. The front entry (too small to actually call a room -- but very important to my plans!) is the next target.

Speaking of that entry, Balmer (where I buy my moldings) announced a sale. After checking out the prices, it appears to be more of a sale before they raise prices rather than a cut. I am going to bet it is due to the rising costs of oil. Since their moldings are plastic based, it has to be getting more and more expensive to make. So I decided to buy now and install later. The 5.5 inch crown moldings arrived last week and they look REAL nice - Egg & Dart with beading... Very nice looking. That will add a nice touch to the room and it is not hard to install.

Book news. WolfPointe continues to sell. It is nearly impossible to actually see how many, but slowly some of the $$ is finally coming to me. WolfPointe is nominated in two categories in USA Book News (http://www.usabooknews.com/). It is in for Mystery and also Blockbuster fiction. Any readers of mysteries with a supernatural flair can pick WolfPointe up at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com -- many, many places on the net. Just Google "Buy WolfPointe" and there will be hundreds of locations to choose from.

Starshot, my second book is still in the "Looking For An Agent" stage. I need to stop playing with the text and get some more queries into the mail. This story is totally different and I think it could be a commercial hit if given a little publicity. We'll see.

Dream car on the Horizon?? I wonder. I am going to do my best to buy one of the first Saturn SKY roadsters when they come out this coming Spring. Man what a beautiful car! I think this could give Saturn the respect it truly deserves (been driving Saturns since 1994) and what a better way that a cool two-seater that does not cost an arm and a leg and still performs.

OK, here is what I am going to try to do. I am going to try and update at least one of these subjects once a week. In the mean time I want to introduce more as well. Later ---

Hollywood Hits Our Town!

2005-06-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

First off, let me apologize. It has been far too long, never meant to let this go for so long. You have to understand, with a new TV and trying to get an agent and Yada, Yada, yada... You get the picture!
In our town they have had exhibitions of decorated benches for two years. This year's theme is Hurray For Hollywood. I took a few pics of the benches and hopefully will do more. The Wizard of Oz is our favorite (There are actually 2 WoO benches!).
In the background of that bench is an early steam locomotive from the Rock Island railroad that runs through our town.
I will be back soon (no -- really I promise) to let you know what else is happening!

2005-06-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Ten Comandments -- Ed & Joes Resturant owners added the balloon -- It reads: Let my people go. . . To Ed & Joes!

2005-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Stan Laural and Oliver Hardy -- Oh and a Bro-In-Law..!

2005-06-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is our favorite bench in our town. The Wizard of Oz

2005-05-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Still wonder why the white columns look blue. This is right near the final. Drapery to hang and speakers & TV to install.... OMG It is nearly done!

2005-05-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Another daylight picture. The little white plate up near the ceiling is for the surround speaker to plug into. There is one in each corner of the room.

2005-05-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

You can see the drapery in the corner. With these in place the room is much darker - much better for TV viewing. We need some tables and I am rewiring an old floor lamp for a corner. This will lighten things up!

2005-05-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Daylight, before curtains are hung. Tha fan is up, lights on, all is good!

2005-05-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

An almost ghostly image! This is from inside to our entry hall. That Hall is next winter's project!

2005-05-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Lights down for TV viewing. Does the curtain look like a moviehouse? It is nice and thick to keep out the outside light.

Reviews for WolfPointe --- Big Time!

2005-05-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Got a bit of email from my publisher. It is always great to see teh words, "Must read." when associated with your own book...
RB

"Hi Rick,
Did I mention a new review of WolfPointe by Harriet Klauser?
Harrietis the number one reviewer at Amazon.com. Numero uno.
Her reviewwill be posted at Midwest Book Review, Baryon, Amazon.com, etc.
Wolfpointe
Rick Buda
Twilight Times, 2004, 175 pp.
ISBN: 1931201080

Underground Specialists Earl Suggs prides himself with always being first at the job site, but this time when he tosses his match into the ditch a fire ball erupts and engulfs him. Timber Park Police Department Officer Malcolm “Mac” MacKurghdy arrives at the scene as the first responder to investigate. He realizes that the case is not quite a negligent accident as some things involving the “gas” fails to fit the circumstances. Still his superior Captain Dave Strickland informs him the case is resolved as a stupid tragic incident.

Veterinarian Dr. Elaine Johnson alarmingly wonders about a geometric increase in the number of animals tortured, mutilated and murdered. She and Mac make inquiries that lead to wealthy Clinton Delevan, who has under construction over one hundred homes that will sell for $500,000 each, but only town leaders and Delevan know that underneath the exclusive site is a toxic swamp. Ironically unbeknownst to these avarice souls the toxin in the swamp has dramatically magnified the Ojibwa Indians’ Windigo deep hatred of humanity, as the spirit wolf speaks for the swamp desecrated by mankind.

The cast turns this intriguing supernatural police procedural into amuse read for fans of both genres. The story line mixes everyday rural living with greedy investors and an otherworldly essence into an action-packed tale. Interestingly, Mac is a terrific character struggling with his who-done-it inquiries that is difficult enough since the evidence seems illogical, but also with his superior yanking him off his investigation for reasons that just fail to make sense to him.

Rick Buda is on the environmental side of the development debate, yet any fan of a supernatural tale will appreciate his cautionary thriller.

Harriet Klauser"

My week seems better already!

In Search of Agents

2005-05-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Looking for a literary agent is akin to getting your first job. No one wants to hire you because you have no experience. It appears you may never get experience unless someone hires you. In this case the agent is the one to be hired, but the writer has to find one that wants the job. So the spiral begins.
An agent typically only makes money when they successfully sell marketable things to publishers. You can imagine then their reluctance to take on a little known or completely unknown writer. On the other hand if they depend upon recommendations from friends, colleagues etc they might find themselves strangled by their own lack of diversity. So, sometime VERY reluctantly, they have to search out new talent.
Well folks I am in that group. I guess I have a bit of an advantage in that I have been published (WolfPointe) and the reason I am looking for an agent is because my current publisher thinks my latest novel deserves a bigger market, therefore a larger house. She will, in fact, help me in my search.
That news is good news because in the 12 years I have seriously (albeit sporadically) sought professional representation, I have received a myriad of refusals, returned mail, blind leads and even a dead agent or two! To have a publisher HELP get an agent is like having a guardian angel help get you passed a snake.
The rejection slips number in the hundreds and that is only a fraction of the responses since many agencies don’t even bother to send back the Self Address Stamped Envelope (SASE) you provided! I have this image of a secretary or even an agent steaming off the stamps. With the self-stick ones – I wonder how they get them lil bastards off at all!
So, if you are an agent and want someone who is willing to promote, willing speak to people, willing to continue to write and tell tales. If you seek a guy who has told stories most of his life and wants to tell more to even greater numbers of people. End my madness and let me send you some of my work.
Somehow I know this doesn’t happen this way, but hey who knows. It would a cool story to tell on Oprah’s…

In the meantime; off I go to package query letters, synopsizes, chapters 1-3 and – of course, a SASE…

BookCrossing

2005-05-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Since I have not been writing too much, I decided I should include a new activity (Online of course!) that I have been part of since December of 2003. At the time I was getting closer to the release of WolfPointe and was looking for places to promote my efforts and talk about writing. Well, what better place than a site dedicated to readers!?!
BookCrossing is a wonderful site for those of you who like to read. I mean read anything! The concept is to register your books and, as you read them, leave registered books in public places for others to find, read and enter their comments into the data base. It is fascinating. In addition the readers that are BC members often trade books and get together to discuss books, authors and reading. It is a great site for anyone who enjoys reading.
In addition - authors are discovering BookCrossing as well. You see there are nearly 400,000 readers registered! Imagine being able to talk about writing - even telling the reading public face to face about your work! To top it off people who read your book often post insightful critiques that can give you self-confidence, helpful criticism and in general feedback about your story. I highly recommend it for anyone who reads, writes or is just in love with books!

2005-04-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

This is that main wall. Now primed, the shadow box frames stand out better. We debated whether to paint them white but ultimately felt they'd be too distracting when focusing on TV. We decided to use just the shadowing effect. The two holes will be wall sconces. These will add to the shadow.

2005-04-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

This shot is actually where the TV wil sit. That is the kitchen through the door (Our morning chairs are there overlooking teh garden) You can see the holes for the speaker and cable hook up along the floor. Nice plates will cover these holes and the wires will "plug" into the wall plates

2005-04-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

This gives a good idea of what the finished product will look like. I will install moulding (Balmer Moulding Store - on line I see ads for them here on my page!) that will be white. It is called Reeds & Ribbon, using Easter Lilly corner pieces. It will be dramatic!

2005-04-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

This shot is through a column into the room. The color is blotchy as it is still only primer. I can't figure why the post is so blue looking. It should be gray.

Little time for writing

2005-04-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Seems the time just gets eaten up! WolfPointe is out there selling ok (Amazon.com - WolfPointe by Rick Buda!). I have an open option on Starshot. I need an agent (Any literary agents looking for a published author to represent -- I'm the guy! My publisher loves my second book but wants me to get an agent and see if a larger house would be interested (It's THAT good).

Now as for my time; Right now I just want to get my Entertainment Room complete. The group of pictures that appear before this little article are now a step closer to finish than the ones after (geez this blog goes backwards in time!

Always looking for comments and readers of Thriller Mysteries with a supernatural flair!

2005-04-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Another shot of the main wall. The color is a failed sample. We felt it was too yellow /gold-brown. We wanted a truer brown. . .

2005-04-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Early shot of the Main wall. The boxes are about 48 inches across and five foot tall.

2005-04-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

This is actually an earlier ceiling shot (we had just finished the stenciling) That is many days of work!

2005-04-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is just the South East corner. Beyond teh Column is the Entry Hall (My Grandfather clock - I built back in the 1980's)

2005-04-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

This shows an edge to the Ceiling Stenciling. Note that the wall color comes onto the ceiling for 18 Inches. When finished I will be installing Reed & Ribbon Moulding to transition from wall color to ceiling stencil.

2005-04-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

That is the Main wall as you enter (note the two columns) the color is Burnt Amber and this is just the primer. We have found that the primer coat though is VERY close to final color.

2005-04-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

looking into the room from the Entry Hall

2005-04-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Looking out of the room into the Family Room

Massive Progress in home improvement

2005-04-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hi - been gone FAR too long!
I want to update everyone on the progress of the Entertainment Room - I WILL be posting some "In Progress" pictures in the next day or two. Please come back and view -- PLEASE comment too! If you have any questions -- or even some ideas -- all are welcome.
First - we have finished all the wall panel framings (looks so retro - 1920's) and I have cut in all the wiring for wall lighting and sound. The big thing is the addition of two (count em) two columns flanking the entry into the room. They are so cool! And they are Cast stone so they feel like marble - not plastic or wood.... At 80+ lbs each they were tough to install but they look great.
I will post pictures next -- I promise -- please come back!!

It's Like The Sistine Chapel!!

2005-04-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

All right maybe not just like it -- but it sure feels like it!
While decorating our entertainment room, my wife and I settled upon a center panel (very nice moulding around that - 18" from the walls). The center was painted a light gold (call it yellow) and the walls will be Burnt Amber (not umber - amber). This color will also come onto the walls to the moulding. Got that picture in your head??
We both felt the plain, light center was too much of a contrast between the wall and ceiling color. We were trying to come up with a better idea or some way to tone down the contrast. Well, in a stroke of brilliance my wife comes up with ----->Stenciling!! We find a good, leafy looking stencil about 18 inches square (for walls). Little did we know!
To make it work you need to pin the stencil in place with adhesive on the stencil to hold it up against the ceiling. This means after you are done you must patch and touch up the paint. Also it means the adhesive has to be cleaned off and re-applied about once every 6 images. We need over 60 full images and 25 or so partials!
Now I know how Micheangelo felt.. It took him 7 years to do the Sistine Chapel (Would have gone quick if he'd used a roller...).
Well I am with in 10 full images of finishing, but I still have all those partials... YIKES...

2005-04-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

Rick, talking to writers about what it takes to get published (March 29 2005)

It's Been Too Long!!

2005-04-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have some catching up to do!
I received a nice letter from the Library say how they enjoyed my talk. I guess many more people have called asking for the next one! I guess there will have to be more!
My publisher sent an email saying my second book needs representation by an agent. She would like me to shop it to larger publishers. God I hate looking for an agent!!
So with that in mind I have been crafting a cover letter (Yeech) and going over 3-4 chapters of my manuscript for Query purposes... Here we go again!!
Anyone who has tried to shop for an agent knows how close I am to depression and suicide. . .

It Was a Dark & Stormy Night. . .

2005-03-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

Really, it was!
Writers are nice people! The turnout at my seminar on writing and publishing was about a 1/2 room (I'd say 20-25 people??) full. But the weather was terrible. The Director of Adult Programs at the library told me they had a few cancellations including a woman who left her phone number so I could tell her where I'll be speaking next!
The people who were there were kind to my rambling and asked wonderful questions. I was not really too nervous, until I read from WolfPointe. It's funny - whenever I pick up that book to read aloud it is like the first time I have seen it! I'm an idiot!
I have to say though this experience has shown me to go forward in my quest to talk to people about writing, publishing and urging them forward.
If anyone reads this and wants to talk writing or publishing -- please just leave a comment and I promise I will try to mention it. If you want to be left nameless that is just fine with me as well...
Later all!

Talking like a writer

2005-03-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well, tonight's the night. My first public speaking date. We will discuss writing. My favorite subject. I want to get clear to people that while there is a seemingly insurmountable wall, getting published is still possible. It takes a certain amount of talent and a huge dose of tenacity. If I can send these interested folk away with this as all they get from my talk - I will feel I succeeded!

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

2005-03-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

Looks like I have it working. If you check at the bottom of the page - you'll see we now have a search box. Also, Advertising!!! Well, you get the good with the bad, all that great advertising and you still get my crummy blog!
Okay enough. You do have to remember that I am a struggling author and I do need to sell books. So type WolfPointe into the Google search and see if my little mystery interests you...

All right - enough of that!

It is Saturday - Holy Saturday for those who mark this weekend as Easter. Quiet around me. I have not really moved on my Entertainment room any further, just kind of taking it easy...
I hope to get back into the swing of it come Monday. I want to be ready to trim and paint over next weekend. Maybe not finish -- but get a good start into it. I have to by 160 feet of frame trim and pick up 2 eight foot pillars (what an entry!!). Getting them into place will be a challenge. More on that later.

By for now and Happy Easter!

Just a Short One

2005-03-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

I am off today due to the Good Friday Holiday. I may make multiple posts today or, this could be it! Wife is off to work so I am home, going to work in the Entertainment Room. I need to measure and sketch in all the framing for the panel-look walls. It's a pain in the ass but it has to be done. Moving furniture, stepping up onto a ladder, that kind of noise.
Oldest son and his wife along with their daughter are due in town today (just heard between 3-6pm). My middle child, youngest son will be over tonight with his fiancée. My baby daughter (yeah she is 27!) I think may be stopping by as well with our grandson and her hubby. Got to have a family gathering (a subdued Liquid Friday, if you will)!
Starting to get just a bit of butterflies for Tuesday and Wednesday of the coming week. Tuesday I run for Townhome Association board. That should be, ah - interesting is a good word. Then Wednesday is my appearance at the local Library. I will be speaking about writing and publishing. I hope to expand upon these dates and start traveling around talking about writing and reading and publishing. I really like to speak to people, but I DO get nervous as the time approaches. Then, just before I begin - I am fine. . .
That's it for now -- We'll talk later!

Well, Now It Begins! - Working in the Living Room

2005-03-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, we managed to purchase what we need to get a good start in the living room (Let's call it the Entertainment Room, please!). We have paint, I ordered the ceiling trim, I will pick up the wall trim once I layout the design, and we actually found a stand for the new TV that we can live with! That will take a number of weeks to get here so we are not getting the TV, yet.
I have to get into the basement and drill into the walls so I can fish wires up to all the speakers. That way we can run the surround system. No wires showing! YES!!
What gets me is we have spent a TON of money already and don't have anything to show for it. I do want to get this job done as the weather is getting nicer and I want to spend more time outside. I saw 56F on the thermometer today -- that felt real nice...
We'll talk later!

2005-03-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

Your intrepid Author....

Writing Groups

2005-03-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

I belong to a writers group. I have belonged to a couple of them in the past as well. This current group is most likely the best of all. Now, in general, writer's groups really do not accomplish much. Reading groups will pick specific books, read them and discuss their interpretations and feelings of the different genres they read. Writers, on the other hand, are a squirrelly group (I say that with affection and as one of the Squirrels). We don't always write on a regular basis (yeah, yeah I know we are supposed to -- but we don't!!). In addition what we write is not at the point of being read by others until a certain amount of self-editing is done. This is evident in my postings here. GEEZ!! I read them and find mistake after mistake, grammatical faux paus and all. But as these are more of a line of consciousness kind of thing; I beg your forgiveness and ignore your complaints.
Back to writers. So what happens? Well, soon the writers either A) Feel guilty and slip away because they never have anything to read for the group. B) They have stuff, hate what they hear and ignore any criticism. C) They get turned onto writing and can't take time to keep interrupting that for a meeting thingy....
In the past I have read that WGs are not all that good since nine times out of ten you will hear what you want, you will tell the person(s) what they want to hear. I have to admit this is true. The criticisms I hear (and make) tend to be general, or minute. General ones are really open to interpretation and minute ones are a bit nit-picky, and often are mistaken as being too anal. So I guess they don't offer too much. But, there is one added advantage.
It should get one used to hearing different interpretations of their writing. This is good. One writes and assembles the words to carry a message. Sometimes this message is simple and straight forward, other times it is cloaked and layered. Either way has to be interpreted by the reader. To hear these interpretations is what makes you a better writer. Yes, you soon will LOVE the way Jane reads and understands your stuff (she gets what you feel you set out to give). But hate the way Dan does it (Misses the point or draws the wrong conclusion). But both help. If both read XXX and they give two different responses, it means the interpretive value of your words span the range of available interpretation. Now, is the one that is NOT your thrust, legitimate? Can this work be imagined this way? If so, you may just want to make room in your psyche to include it. Is it OK with you? If not then you might have to make some changes. However, most likely misinterpretations are usually in the minority. Its going to happen. When you keep hearing misinterpretation, then you may have to give your style a check up. However, the occasional interpretation that you may not have intended, can some times be a blessing and a gift.
So, that in mind, group reading, interpretation, is great. One rule we do from time to time is the writer can not read their writing. This allows you to hear your stuff and make sure the guides you include (in your style) give clues as to what inflections and tonal changes are needed. So group reading is good, very good, but I can see where it takes a dedicated group to keep at it. I applaud the tenacious and sympathize with the ones (like myself) that come and go...

Writing Time. . .

2005-03-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

I do manage to get in some writing from time to time. I have begun to read more for a while, including works in progress from fellow writers who want an opinion. I enjoy it. As I write more and read more, each day it seems to get clearer, the way words flow and the picture develop on the back of my eyelids.
When WolfPointe was first released as an ebook (2001 - still available just search WolfPointe or my name!), I knew this is what I wanted to do. I had been a story teller forever, just that when you are young some call you a liar, others call you a storyteller. It wasn't until my late twenties that I wanted to write a story from beginning to end. I had always been a reader, but writing held no attraction for me.
To be totally frank, now the WolfPointe is a available in trade paper, and you can get it anywhere (amazon.com, Barnes & Noble -- many book store stock it and almost any one will order it for you), I am sure this is what I will do. Will I be famous? Yeah, right. Rich Hehehehe Ok sure. But one thing for sure I will LOVE IT!!
Now and for the past few weeks I have been waiting for word on my next manuscript. The butterflies don't die after you publish once! So I wait, and wait.

2005-03-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

This is the Oriental end. We have the Buddha (a family favorite!) Chinese Ghost Guards and - you may be able to make out a Thai Spirit House. The Tree is a Red Dragon Japanese maple.

2005-03-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry a bit out of focus. A corner fountain surrounded in flowers. The idea is to celebrate the French and Spanish heritage of the Caribbean.

2005-03-21T19:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a garden shot. The deck is connected to the family room just to the feft. The white trimmed windows behind the green bar are where we sit inside for morning coffe or tea.

2005-03-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

Kitchen ahead - the two chairs in the foreground are our Morning Chairs

2005-03-21T19:03:00.000-08:00

Here you can see the entrance into the back garden

2005-03-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

This is our Island Get-a-way, at home

Finishing a house

2005-03-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

People sometimes ask, why we bother to buy a new home, then tear it apart and re-do it. Well, we tell them, with a new house, there is nothing to undo! We like to think of it as a blank canvas.
For those of you who have not had a home built for you, the experience is alternatingly the most exciting – frightening, frustrating – calming, smooth – rough things you can ever do. But, if you purchase a pre-occupied home, you always have the remainders of the previous owner(s). Not that this is bad. Often their maintenance and decorating, modernizing ideas are what propel you to buy the house to begin. With my back ground in home construction, having houses built (the last 2) is the way for us. There are some drawbacks as well as advantages.
As I mentioned, there are no previous layers of paint or wallpaper to take off or change. You don’t have to worry what things look behind the walls because you were there when the walls went up! No colors to replace (usually no color at all!!). The blank canvas.
Now there are a lot of things that can get to you. The first new home we moved into sparked on of my indelible moments. I was finishing installation of our clothes washer. The water had hooked up and I was plugged in for electricity. Many of the laundry items (soap, fabric softener, etc.) had been packed into the washer so all I had to do was unpack and the laundry was ready.
I pulled the items out and went to put them onto the shelf. . . Wait, there was no shelf! It’s stuff like that – little things like that – like a hook in the garage to hang a shovel on. No there are a lot of worse things in the world, but you now know what it means to start out with nothing. We think its fun!
So, once you are in a house for a year it’s time to finish. In a brand new house, unless you are willing to pay obscene prices for painters, you will have a white house. We call it Builder’s White. It is a color that can not be matched by and name brand paint we can find. Also it has the ability to change. In about 3 years it becomes a shade best described as urine yellow.
Having built the larger family home, when my wife and I decide to build the Empty Nest Home, we had more experience and time. We already have a plan for every room in the house! Now, each plan gets changes and adapted as we get used to the place. Funding goes up and down, depending on what we can afford. It still is a blast!
The new house has 6-foot high windows and lots of them. The 9-foot ceilings allow transoms above even the patio door letting lots of light. The yard and side of the house are east and south so we get great morning light. We wanted an island feel and look so lots of greens and stone and plants, flowers and water had to be present. I have attached some pictures to show you how it turned out. The inside is the combination Kitchen – Family Room. We passed on a table, and went with a large countertop. This left us room to put two chairs overlooking the garden for our morning coffee/tea. The whole room is set up for casual gatherings, but we have a seven-foot gate-leg table to sit 8 for dinner if needed.
The garden is representative of all the Caribbean and tropical ports of call we have visited, from Thailand to Barbados. I even managed to find Bamboo that can survive the climate!
I let you look and would be more than happy to read comments, or answer questions....

Just learning how this all works - Hints to readers

2005-03-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Has to be pretty boring reading but I am one of those writers who believes to learn something -- you keep doing it till you get it right!
My plans are to talk a bit about some of my interests and hope to capture comments and ideas from those of you who might read all this. With that in mind it will sometimes make multiple posts - and title them with what they address. Like - Writting or Home Decor. This way anyone who gets connected by interest can actuall FIND my interests! And, as I said - please comments ideas are appreciated!
I managed to post a picture but I wanted it in my profile... Hmmmmmm Still working on that.

Liquid Fridays

2005-03-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

There are time you will most likely read the term Liquid Friday (LF). For those who know me it is a saying used to commemorate the end of the week. At our home we often have people over on Friday evenings. Once the weather gets to the point where the brass monkey gets to keep his nuts, we sit out in the garden and talk and drink and eat and drink and drink and ... Well, you get the idea.
One major part of LF is the discussions. One is allowed to bring up damned near any subject and we get to discuss the. A few rules: 1) No fist fights. 2) Argue the points not the people. 3) Don't go home pissed.
Nothing you say on LF is held against you. I have been surprised to hear some great debates! Often I'll take an opposing viewpoint, just to keep things honest....

Just getting started

2005-03-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

I have been putting this off for a while but finally decided to go ahead. As a writer we often get confronted with that HUGE blank page and worry about what we will write next. As those of us who have published find, tis better to write even if you write crap, or else that page stays blank.

I hope to type in a comments from time to time. Anyone reading who has a comment is welcome. If you have questions - please - all I can do is try to answer them!