Over the past week we’ve experience more below season average temperatures, barely reaching 50F/10C. There’s been a mixture of sun, clouds, and rain throughout, and we even had frost one morning. Today, it’s bright and sunny and the birds are singing away.
We’ve been at the monthly small business market this weekend. Sales were a bit lower than normal. Thirteen of my autographed books sold along with sixteen of Sylvia’s laminated poetry sheets and another of her books. With the recent increases in domestic gas and electricity bills (ours went up fifty-four percent from last month), council taxes (similar to property taxes), car taxes, and national insurance premiums, it’s likely some people are still figuring out their personal impact. Also, local schools began Easter holidays which could also have figured in the lower attendance.
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): When a bird is alive, it eats ants. When the bird had died, ants eat it. One tree can be made into a million matchsticks, but only one matchstick is needed to burn a million trees. Circumstances can change at anytime. Don’t devalue or hurt anyone in this life. You may be powerful today but time is more powerful than you.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on April 10th, the second Sunday of the month: Balthazar Huydecoper, Dutch translator and historian; Basílio da Gama, Portuguese poet (O Uraguai); William Hazlitt, English essayist and critic; Lewis “Lew” Wallace, American author (Ben-Hur) and Major General (Union Army); Forceythe Willson, American poet (The Old Sergeant); Joseph Pulitzer, Hungarian-American publisher (St Louis Post-Dispatch, NY World) and Democratic politician whose bequest founded the Columbia School of Journalism and the Pulitzer Prize; George William Russell, Irish nationalist, poet and artist; Alfred Kubin, Austrian writer and illustrator; Montague Summers, English clergyman and writer (Malleus Maleficarum); Paul Sweezy, American Marxist economist and editor (Monthly Review); Stefan Heym, German-American author (Crusaders, Family Benda); Leo Vroman, Dutch-American hematologist and poet; Chuck Connors, American author, actor (The Rifleman, Branded, Cowboy in Africa), professional basketball and baseball player; Marcel van Maele, Belgian poet and playwright; Adrian Henri, British poet and founder of poetry-rock group (Liverpool Scene); Rokusuke Ei, Japanese author and lyricist (Sukiyaki); David Halberstam, American journalist, historian and author (Pulitzer 1964); Bella Akhmadulina, Russian poet (The String, Fever); Penny Vincenzi [Hannaford], British novelist (An Absolute Scandal, Spoils of Time trilogy); Paul Theroux, American travel book writer and novelist (Mosquito Coast); Barry M. Riemer, American author (The Great American Con Machine); John M. Ford, American sci-fi author and poet.
Any names familiar to you? I spotted three I know: Joseph Pulitzer, Chuck Connors, and Paul Therous. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Published Work
Colombian Betrayal and Revenge continue to participate in a Kindle Unlimited thrillers and killers promotion throughout April. Why not stop by and check it out? There are 109 novels to choose from:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/aprilthrillersandkillers/ygd654x5xa
My Work in Progress
I continued moving forward with Ultimate Escalation, completing chapters thirty-four through thirty-six. My manuscript received another twelve reviews, bringing the total to 664. Once again, plenty of suggestions to enhance my writing.
I also updated my manuscript’s outline again. Barring any further changes, there will be fifty-two chapters when it’s completed.
Here’s another snippet:
Admiral Blakely rubbed a hand over his messy hair as he strode down the corridor to his office. The click of his heels echoed in the deserted hallway. He unlocked his door, turned on the light, and set his Starbucks coffee on the credenza. He flicked to one of the twenty-four news channels and sat at his mahogany desk.
The admiral glanced at the wall clock as it clicked to 0430. While he waited for his computer to boot, he sipped his lukewarm brew. As soon as his computer was ready, he logged in and began sorting through a myriad of emails. Lots of routine stuff—my subordinates are cc’ed so they can respond.
As he reached the end of the overnight’s incoming emails, he clicked on one which caught his attention:
I wish to advise you, kind sir, about our Russian ‘friend.’ Since he relocated to Lahore, I have been cut off from him. I suggest asking a colleague to infiltrate the Punjab reunification effort.
“Hmm.” The admiral pursed his lips. “Might be useful.” He clicked on reply.
Proceed with caution. Assume he will pass his intel through you?
After sending his response, he stepped into the outer office, where the aroma of brewing coffee greeted him. He glanced around, wondering who had prepared it since it was too early for his secretary to be in the office.
A tall, slender man jumped to his feet. “Morning, Admiral. I thought you might enjoy some fresh coffee.” Matthew McMasters, nicknamed ‘the grandson’ because of his youthful appearance, filled two cups with the steaming liquid.
“Thanks, Matthew.” The admiral pointed toward his office. “Join me.”
They sat in chairs positioned in front of the admiral’s desk.
I have a task for you.” The admiral sipped his drink. “I want you to work your magic and delve into the financial background of two people—former Spetsnaz Colonel Vladimir Aleksandrovich Nikolaev and ISI Major Ejaz Bangash.”
“How far back do you want me to search, Admiral?”
“At least five years should be good. However, if something surfaces which might warrant going back even more, use your judgment.”
“Yes, sir. Should I send my reports to the usual distro?”
The admiral shook his head. “The report on Nikolaev can be sent to Sir Alex and Harrison but send the info on Bangash just to me.”
Matthew stood. “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.”
“Relax and finish your coffee.” The admiral laughed. “Plenty of time to get started.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2022 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
