The weather has warmed up again the past few days. Even so, our gardener was able to do some pruning so the bushes look less shaggy than they have. There’s still more to do, but he’ll wait until it cools off again. In the meantime, we were at a store yesterday checking out some new bushes that flower later in the year, so it’s possible two or three of them will find their way into the flower bed by the front porch.
The past few weeks we’ve also been getting some preventative check-ups and vaccinations to ensure we’re as healthy as can be. Thank goodness for medical insurance or they would have cost a bundle.
“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.” – Junot Diaz. Compliments of https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/inspirational-quotes-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on September 22nd, the fourth Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Philipp Nikodemus Frischlin, German philologist and poet; Barthold Heinrich Brockes, German poet; Philip Dormer Stanhope [Lord Chesterfield], English statesman and letter writer, responsible for introducing the Gregorian calendar; John Home, Scottish writer (Douglas); Quintin Craufurd, British author (friend of Marie Antoinette); Wilhelm Wattenbach, German historian, known for his work on the Middle Ages; Lodewijk van Deyssel, Dutch writer (A Love Affair); Asser B. Kleerekoper, Dutch journalist, translator, and politician (Second Chamber of Parliament- (SDAP), 1914-32); Arnoldus JC Krafft, Dutch theologist, historian, and geographer (Atlas of Netherlands Antilles); Frank Sullivan, American humorist (NYer Magazine); Babette Deutsch, American poet (Animal vegetable mineral); F R Boschvogel [Frans Ramon], Flemish writer (War of Worlds); Phyllis Hartnoll, English writer and editor; Dannie Abse, Welsh poet and writer; Rosamunde Pilcher, English novelist (The Shell Seekers); Fay Weldon [Franklin Birkinshaw], British feminist, novelist (Praxis; The Lives and Loves of a She-Devil), playwright, and screenwriter; Jim Keith, American conspiracy theorist and author; Diogo Mainardi, Brazilian writer and journalist; Quiara Alegría Hudes, American playwright, lyricist and producer (In the Heights, Water by the Spoonful); and Misha Green, American screen writer, director and producer (Lovecraft Country).
Any names familiar to you? There weren’t any for me this week. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
My work on Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 is my primary focus. This week, I posted
chapter thirty-four to the two online subscription writing sites I use. The story received another seven chapter reviews this week, bringing the total to 525.
Here’s another snippet:
Prince Hussein sat behind the desk and pulled out an iPad from a drawer. After logging in, he checked for new emails. There was one:
Hello, brother! I will be with you in two days. I hope you are planning a good party for me.
Prince Hussein grimaced as he typed. I hope so, too. But you better start following the plan.
Someone knocked on the door.
Now what? “Come in.”
Yusuf entered. “Excuse me, Prince Hussein. I wanted to give you an update on the attendees for Prince Sami’s party.”
“Hmm.” Prince Hussein frowned. “Go ahead.”
“Many of those in the diplomatic community are afraid to attend because of your connection to the Saudi royal family. They believe their attendance will indicate approval of what Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen.”
“As expected. Continue.”
“China, Pakistan, and Malaysia have all accepted the invitation. I expect to hear from Russia and some others soon.”
Prince Hussein nodded. “What about local dignitaries?”
“So far, only the chief of police has accepted. But I’m still waiting for word from some of the cabinet. Of course, the prime minister declined, as expected.”
“What about the entertainment?”
Yusuf grinned. “Wazir and I have secured several young people who will perform as required.”
“That should please Prince Sami.” Wish he’d get over his predilection for public orgies. “Do what is necessary to give him a pleasing show—but not too graphic.” He waved a hand in dismissal.
“As you so order, Prince Hussein.” Yusuf bowed and left the office. He walked along the corridor and joined Wazir. “Everything is going to plan. If we are fortunate, Prince Sami will be indebted to us and grant us the favor we desire.”
Wazir nodded. “To be free of the tragedies befalling Yemen would be most pleasing. However, do you think things would be better for us in Saudi Arabia?”
“No way to know for sure. But if Ansar Allah finds out we are helping Prince Hussein, they will execute us after we are flogged to within an inch of our lives.” Yusuf’s body shook. “Then our bodies will be paraded through the streets as a warning to others.”
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 2024 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
