We saw the temperature gradually decrease from last Sunday’s high of 100 to 95 on Friday. Yesterday, we had a welcome respite from weeks of heat with a drop of 21 degrees to 74! That’s the forecast for today as well, although we’ll see a gradual increase of temperature up to 84 by next Friday. Some light rain also helped keep the heat at bay, although we had a two-hour thunderstorm on Wednesday that also kill the high temperatures. At least this is bearable.
As is the norm, there’s plenty of wildlife stopping by. Friday night just before dark was the best when a buck, six doe, and two fawns put in an appearance. After they stayed for awhile, they all disappeared, melting back into the trees and brush.
The Detroit Tigers played eight games over the past week and have rebounded somewhat, winning five and losing three. Their record now stands at 65-47 and they’re still at the top of the American League Central Division with an eight game lead over second place Cleveland. Still loads of baseball to come this season, but I’ll be hoping to see the Tigers fight their way into the playoffs.
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”― Beatrix Potter. Compliments of https://www.nicolemgulotta.com/blog/25-inspirational-quotes.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on August 3rd, the thirty-first Sunday of 2025 and the first one in August. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Étienne Dolet, French scholar and printer; Paulus Adrianus Daum, Dutch writer, founder and editor (Batavian Newspaper); Vernon Louis Parrington, American author (Romantic Revolution, Pulitzer 1928); Eugène Baie, Belgian author (Sub rosa et sub umbra); Rupert Brooke, British WW I poet (Lithuania, The Soldier); Ernie Pyle, American journalist and war correspondent during WW II (Pulitzer Prize, 1944); Clifford D. Simak, American sci-fi author (Hugo, Empire, Way Station); Leonhard Huizinga, Dutch journalist and writer (Adriaan & Olivier); Mel Tolkin, Ukrainian television comedy writer; Sal Santen, Dutch writer (You Are Jewish People); Shakeel Badayuni, Indian poet and lyricist; James MacGregor Burns, American political writer (The Lion & the Fox); Hayden Carruth, American poet (The Crow and the Heart); Robert Sumner, American evangelist and author; Roger Foulon, Belgian writer (Un été dans la Fagne); ames Komack, American writer, director, and actor (The Courtship of Eddie’s Father; Chico and the Man; Welcome Back, Kotter); Leon Uris, American novelist (Exodus; Topaz; QB VII); Cécile Aubry, French actress (The Black Rose), author (Belle et Sébastien), television screenwriter and director; Diane Wakoski, American poet (Motorcycle Betrayal); Reed Waller, American adult comic book author (“Omaha” the Cat Dancer); and Frank Schaeffer, American author (Crazy for God).
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: Ernie Pyle and Leon Uris. 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
I’m almost finished editing chapters in the manuscript of Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion based on reader feedback, with just a couple more to go.Then the real work will begin! All chapters are now posted to the two online subscription sites I use. There were another four new chapter reviews this week, bringing the total to 272. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.
Here’s another snippet:
Day after day, Finn returned to his lookout and didn’t find Mosby and his men. Are they attacking Union encampments? He stretched, rubbed his right knee, and pushed back through the grass before reaching his horse. He mounted and headed into Middleburg to the Chinn Ordinary.
Inside the tavern, he was greeted by Earl. “Welcome back, Finn. I’m bettin’ you found the Colton place all right.”
“Yes. You were right, there was some damage to part of the roof where a tree fell on it. Just the same there are still two rooms in suitable condition. I’ve set up in them.”
Earl nodded. “I wondered if you’d be back. You missed Colonel Mosby and some of his men. They came a day or so after you was here.” He leaned close to Finn. “Mosby sent a raiding party after some Yankees near Warrenton. I heard him mention he would be leading another raid, but this time, he’ll have support.”
“What kind of support?”
“Jefferson Davis assigned an engineer to work with Mosby. I hear tell he can control birds and squirrels, and they’ll eat out of his hand.”
Must be the guy I saw with the bird at the farm Finn thought. “Do you know his name? Sounds like a fella I heard about.”
Earl shook his head. “Never did hear it mentioned. They jest referred to him as the engineer.”
***
Latimer entered the tent being used by Colonel Mosby. He stepped to the campaign table and unrolled a sheaf of images.
Mosby appeared a few minutes later. After acknowledging Latimer’s presence, he studied the photographs. “Excellent work again, Latimer. We should be able to sneak up on the Yankee camp.”
Thank you, Colonel.”
“We will raid them tonight when they are least expecting us. I’ll inform you tomorrow of our success.”
The following day, Mosby met with Latimer. “Your images were perfect in showing how the Yankees were deployed. There was a mix-up, however, and we engaged the enemy sooner than expected. After a fierce firefight, we took six prisoners and sixty horses. It was unfortunate, but we lost six men. Overall, it was a successful raid.”
“Glad to hear it, Colonel. What do you want me to do next?”
Head back to Oakham Farm. We will rest a spell before planning our next raid. The Yankees seemed to be waiting for us, so I want to wait a bit before going after them again.”
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 2025 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
