work in progress – Writing by Randall

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Randall’s Ramblings, February 22, 2026

February 22, 2026 Randall Krzak

In the past, today would be celebrated as the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Now it’s celebrated as President’s Day, the third Monday of February, to recognize all presidents.

We’ve seen a rise in temperatures this week, hitting a high of 81 degrees on Friday. We also had a couple of brief downpours, and the pansies we planted last year are now producing seedlings.

The Detroit Pistons have come out of the All Star break picking up where they left off, winning two more games and increasing their record to 42-13. They are in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, seven games ahead of second place Cleveland.

The Michigan Wolverines briefly moved into first place in the NCAA rankings. Although they won another game this week, they lost 68-63 to 3rd-ranked Duke. The Wolverines are now 25-2 on the season. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans, who had dropped to 15th in the rankings, improved their record to 21-5 with a win over UCLA.

“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” — Ray Bradbury, WD. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 22ns, the 8th Sunday of 2026 and the fourth and final one in February. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Rashi, French rabbi who wrote commentaries on the Talmud and Hebrew Bible; Tahmasp I, shah of Iran (1524-76) and author (Tazkire-i Shah); Louis-Georges de Bréquigny, French historian; Alexander Campbell, Scottish composer and writer (associate of Walter Scott); Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (“The World as Will and Representation”) known for his philosophical pessimism; Józef Kremer, Polish philosopher, art historian and psychologist; Oskar Kolberg, Polish ethnographer, folklorist, and composer (Lud); James Russell Lowell, American poet, critic and diplomat (Biglow Papers); James Barnet Fry, American historian and Brevet Major General (Union Army); Robert Alexander Cameron, American soldier and newspaper publisher (Union Army); Francis Pharcellus Church, American editor and publisher (The New York Sun – “Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus”); Leon Vanderkindere, Belgian historian and mayor (Ukkel); Aldredo de Escragnolle Taunay, Brazilian writer (Inocencia), musician and politician; Karen Hulda Garborg, Norwegian playwright (Mot Solen/Eli; Jules Renard, French writer (Poil de Carotte; Zitkala-Sa, also known by her Anglicized and married name, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, Native American (Yankton Dakota) writer, violinist, librettist (The Sun Dance Opera), educator, and political activist; Yme Schuitmaker, Frisian-Dutch potato merchant, actor, and playwright (Maerteblom (Snowdrop); Lysbet); Norman Lindsay, Australian artist and novelist (The Magic Pudding); Alfred Wikenhauser, German RC exegetist (John-Apokalyps); Hugo Ball, German playwright and social critic (co-founder Flametti, Dada); Robin G. Collingwood, English philosopher. historian (“The Principles of Art”; “The Idea of History”) and archaeologist (Roman Britain); Edna St Vincent Millay, American poet, dramatist and feminist (Harp Weaver-Pulitzer Prize); Victor Raúl Haya de la Torre, Peruvian politician and author (founder of Peruvian Aprista Party); Paul Van Ostaijen, Belgian-Dutch poet, writer and critic (Occupied City); George O’Hara, American silent era screenwriter and actor (The Sea Beast, The Grapes of Wrath); Giorgos Seferis [Georgios Seferiades], Greek poet (Nobel 1963); Seán Ó Faoláin [John Whelan], Irish short story writer (Murder at Cobbler’s Hulk); Stefan Lorant, Hungarian-American writer, photojournalist, filmmaker; Morley Callaghan, Canadian author and radio personality (Toronto Star, Native Argosy); Edward Robb Ellis, American diarist and journalist who is the most prolific diarist in the history of American letters with an estimated 22 million words; Jane Bowles, American writer; Wayne Booth, American literary critic; Edward Gorey, American author and artist (The Curious Sofa, The Gashlycrumb Tinies); Gerald Stern, American poet, (The One Thing in Life), essayist (Some Secrets), and educator; Paul Dooley, American character actor (Sixteen Candles; Strange Brew; Grace Under Fire), comedian, and screenwriter (The Electric Company); Jules van Neerven, Dutch economist, journalist, and editor (Limbourg Daily); oanna Russ, American sci-fi author (Hugo, Female Man, Alyx); Ishmael Reed, American author (Last Days of Louisiana Red); Felice Picano, American publisher, memoirist and novelist (The Lure, Like People in History); and Richard Greenberg, American playwright (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain).

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

Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos as multiple external activities are consuming most of my time. Over the past week, there was one additional chapter review, bringing the total to seventy. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

Here’s the next snippet:

Ali led them to the same vehicle he used the night before. “Our chariot awaits.”

Once everyone climbed inside, Ali tapped the dash. “We are at peace today. Our conveyance will take us where we want to go.”

As promised, the engine fired on the first try without the black smoke.

He pulled out of the parking spot and plunged into the traffic without a glance at other vehicles.

While some drivers blew their horns, most just gave way to another Cairo driver.

“It will take much longer to reach the warehouse than coming from the airport. Traffic is very bad, so I must go slow. However, the warehouse is exactly what we will need to prepare for our excursion to Abydos.”

“How is the money holding out?” Charles attempted to keep his hand away from the panic strap, although he did grab it from time to time. He kept working imaginary brakes whenever he thought they might collide with another vehicle.

“Your benefactor was most gracious with his funds. I have used no more than half of what he sent. Of course, I shall inform you right away if I need more.”

“Excellent.” Charles glanced at Sylvia. “I shall let him know in due course. After our visit to the warehouse, I’d like you to take us on a drive around the city and point out some of the tourist spots. We will want to visit some of them before we head to Abydos.”

“Yes, Professor. When would you like to put the charms of Cairo behind us?

“How soon can we be ready?”

“If I am not so mistaken, we could depart the day after tomorrow. If it is permitted, I would like to take Sylvia and Finley to the nearby pyramids.”

“Aye. Good idea. I wonder how much has changed since I was here five years ago?”

Many more tourists, along with those who prey upon them.” Ali slammed on the brakes as he blew the horn.

Ahead, a bus and a truck had collided, blocking both lanes. A horde of people surrounded both vehicles, yelling and shouting, with some making threatening gestures with their hands.

“I am thinking everyone should hold on.” Ali twisted the wheel, turning around in the narrow street. “We shall go a different way, as this could be blocked for many hours. Even longer if fights break out among the onlookers.”

He made a right at the first crossroad. Rows of three and four-story buildings lined each side of the street. Various shops, including pharmacies, family-owned grocery stores, and clothes merchants, occupied the ground floor of each building, with apartments on the upper ones.

“I think—”

An overloaded truck trundled through the next intersection, the load careening toward them. The driver ignored the horn of Ali’s smaller vehicle and continued by, forcing Ali to give way.

“Driving in Cairo can be challenging at the best of times. It is not for those with a faint heart.” He grinned. “But this is what makes Cairo a special place to live.”

For the next thirty minutes, Ali weaved and swerved around pedestrians, mopeds, and cards, the van rocking in time with his movements. He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Keep an eye on the car behind us—he might try to squeeze between us and the parked vehicles.” He shook his head. “That driver is crazier than I am.”

“Watch out!” Charles pointed through the windscreen as he mashed on the imaginary brakes at his feet. “Camels!”

Metal crunched and crumpled as Ali sideswiped a parked vehicle blocking part of the street. He managed to dodge the camels. “Whew! I thought I would be buying someone a camel.”

“What about the car you hit?” Charles jerked a thumber over his shoulder.

“It is the cost of doing business when parking on Cairo streets.” Ali shrugged. “Besides, the driver tried to park in a spot half the size of his vehicle. It is his fault.” He gestured forward. “Our turn will soon be upon us.”

* * *

Two teenagers grabbed the ropes attached to their camels. As they managed to calm the skittish animals, a car sped toward them.

“Hurry, Omar. They’re getting away!”

“Relax, Pisir. He gunned the green Ford Fiesta’s engine and aimed for a small gap between the lead camel and the car Ali sideswiped. Omar yanked the wheel, crashing into the rear side panel of the vehicle, which blocked part of the street.

Both men slammed forward with the impact, their heads meeting the dash.

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.

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Randall’s Ramblings, February 15, 2026

February 15, 2026 Randall Krzak

February is rolling along as we head towards spring. The temperature are slowly improving, although it’s still around freezing at night. We’re receiving a good rain today, which we need as everything seems pretty dry. Will this start of turning things green? Will have to wait and see.

The Detroit Pistons won two more games this week, raising their to 40-13. As the NBA heads into their All Star break, Detroit is still in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, seven games ahead of second place Cleveland. I hope after the break they continue their winning ways.

The Michigan Wolverines (2nd in the NCAA rankings) beat Ohio State and Northwestern this week before they roared past UCLA 86-56 to up their record to 24-1. With first place Arizona falling yesterday, will Michigan become the new first place team? We should find out tomorrow. They have six more games before the Big Ten tournament.

Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans lost another game this week, falling to Wisconsin 92-71 and dropping their record to 20-5. Although they are currently ranked 10th in the NCAA rankings, they’ll likely drop a few places when the new poll is released.

“I’m out there to clean the plate. Once they’ve read what I’ve written on a subject, I want them to think, ‘That’s it!’ I think the highest aspiration people in our trade can have is that once they’ve written a story, nobody will ever try it again.”— Richard Ben Cramer. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 15th, the 7th Sunday of 2026 and the third one in February. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Claude Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon, French satirical novelist (The Skimmer); Friedrich August Wolf, German philologist (Prolegomena); Jens Baggesen, Danish writer and linguist (Labyrinth); Abraham de Amorie van der de Have, Dutch theologist and poet; Demetrius Vikelas, Greek businessman and writer (first President International Olympic Committee 1894-1896); Alfred North Whitehead, British mathematician and philosopher (Adventures of Ideas); Halford John Mackinder, British geographer (Britain and the British Seas); Bannister Fletcher, English architect and architectural historian (A History of Architecture); Sax Rohmer [Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward], English author (Dr Fu Manchu novels); Sidney Gilliat, English screenwriter (Night Train to Munich) and director,; Ypk van der Fear, Dutch writer (Reade Runen); George Mikes, Hungarian-British writer and humorist (How to Be an Alien); Ian Ballantine, American publisher (Ballantine Books); Piet van Aken, Flemish writer (Klinkaart, Het begeren); Radha Krishna Choudhary, Indian historian and writer (History of Bihar); Herman Kahn, American, writer and military strategist (Thinking About the Unthinkable); Norman Bridwell, American author and cartoonist (Clifford the Big Red Dog); Gérard Chaliand [Gérard Tchalian], Belgian-French writer and geopolitical expert (Revolution in the Third World, A Global History of War); Paul Ekman, American psychologist known for his work on facial expressions (Telling Lies, Emotions Revealed); Susan Brownmiller, American activist and feminist author (Against Our Wills); Gregory Mcdonald, American mystery writer known for “Fletch”; Jack Tinker, British theater critic for the Daily Mail; Jo Clayton, American sci-fi and fantasy author (Irsud, Maeve, Star Hunters); Ian Heads, Australian sports journalist, commentator and author who was rugby league’s foremost historian (Rugby League Week); Douglas Hofstadte, American academic and writer; Art Spiegelman, American cartoonist (The New Yorker, 1992-2002), Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novelist (Maus), and editor (Arcade; Raw); Matt Groening, American cartoonist and writer (Life in Hell; The Simpsons; Futurama); Chrystine Brouillet, Quebec novelist (Chère Voisine); Josh Marshall, American journalist and blogger (Talking Points Memo); and Miranda July, American writer, actress, and filmmaker (You, Me, and Everyone We Know;; Kajillionaire).

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

Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos as multiple external activities are consuming most of my time. Over the past week, there have been an additional eight chapter reviews, bringing the total to sixty-nine. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

Here’s the next snippet:

The following morning, Ali joined Charles, Isabella, and Finley for breakfast at the Blue Restaurant and Grill inside the Kempinski Hotel. When Ali entered, his eyes bulged as a hand shot to his chest. “Have I died and gone to heaven? One day here would feed my entire village for a full week.”

“Where is your village? Will we be able to visit?” Isabella buttered a warm croissant and set it on the plate next to her tea.

Ali waved a hand in a northwesterly direction. “It is not too far from Cairo. Sometimes the desert encroaches on the buildings as the sand shifts.” He laughed. “At one point, my ancestral home was no longer in the village, which created many difficulties.”.

“Finley laughed. “What happened?”

“My father, may the gods protect him from all evil, is the chieftain, although I do not know how much longer he will walk the earth. Tradition passed down through generations requires the chieftain to always reside in the village.” He is a very sagacious man—at least he was, but his mind is somewhat depleted. However, now he is in his ninetieth year. To solve the problem, he purchased a second house—this one in the middle of the village. So when the parameters of the village shifted one more, he moved back into the ancestral home. Either way, he always remains within the village, no matter what the desert does.”

Charles smiled. “I hope we meet your family while we’re here.”

“That is my plan.” Ali glanced toward the ceiling. “However, I do not want to tempt fate nor upset the guards. As you would say, we will play this by the ear.”

“I’d like to visit the warehouse you chose for our base.” Charles ran a hand over his blue cotton shirt and black trousers. “As you can see, I’ve shed my fancy travel clothes.” He laughed. “I see you have too, Ali.”

“I wore the fez and Bedouin clothes just to make an impression with Isabella and Finley.” Ali looked down. “This suit is more my style, but like you, I will wear something more suitable for our excursion. You are much more presentable now for me to take around Cairo. It is most inadvisable to be showing any wealth—it will mark you as a person for the thieves.”

“What about us staying here?” Isabella glanced at Charles. “Should we change hotels?”

Ali shook his head. “Many foreigners visit Cairo each year and stay in the best hotels without any known difficulties. It is when you travel around the city that bad things might happen. After today, Jabari or one of his team will be with us whenever we leave the hotel.”

“What about today?” Charles pursed his lips.

“Ah. He is busy making arrangements.” Ali patted his left shoulder. “Howsoever security is needed, I am armed.”

Charles finished his coffee. “Are we ready to go?”

“If you do not mind, Professor, I would like one more of these delicious pastries—or perhaps two, if they are not too filling.” Ali patted his taut stomach. “I must ensure my body has the proper food to keep me functioning at my normal high levels. Besides, I do not think I have tasted anything so good.”

Everyone laughed.

“I had the hotel put a hamper together to take with us.” Isabella smiled. There should be plenty of pastries, fruit, and sandwiches to tide us over.”

“Perfect.” Ali took a large bite of his pastry and washed it down with a cup of tea. “Two minutes shall pass when I am ready.”

At last, they stood and left the hotel.

Ali led them to the same vehicle he used the night before. “Our chariot awaits.”

Once everyone climbed inside, Ali tapped the dash. “We are at peace today. Our conveyance will take us where we want to go.”

As promised, the engine fired on the first try without the black smoke.

He pulled out of the parking spot and plunged into the traffic without a glance at other vehicles.

While some drivers blew their horns, most just gave way to another Cairo driver.

“Your benefactor was most gracious with his funds. I have used no more than half of what he sent. Of course, I shall inform you right away if I need more.”

“Excellent.” Charles glanced at Isabella. “I shall let him know in due course. After our visit to the warehouse, I’d like you to take us on a drive around the city and point out some of the tourist spots. We will want to visit some of them before we head to Abydos.”

“Yes, Professor. When would you like to put the charms of Cairo behind us?

“How soon can we be ready?”

“If I am not so mistaken, we could depart the day after tomorrow. If it is permitted, I would like to take Isabella and Finley to the nearby pyramids.”

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, February 1, 2026

February 1, 2026 Randall Krzak

January is now behind us, although it closed with a huge storm, dumping at least six inches of snow on our area. It’s cold, too–16 degrees, although it’s supposed to reach 35 and be mostly sunny, so that should start melting some of the snow. By the end of the week, it’s supposed to be in the lower 50s. We had quite an array of wildlife visitors this week–several wild turkeys, seven deer, eight squirrels, and a myriad of cardinals, blue jays, robins, sparrows, black birds, and pigeons. As we always do during inclement weather, we did put out seed/corn for all of our visitors.

The Detroit Pistons played four games this week, winning three and dropping one. They are now 35-12 in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, with a 7.5 game lead over 2nd place Cleveland. Hopefully, their winning ways will continue throughout February!

The Michigan Wolverines (3rd in the NCAA, 19-1) and the Michigan State Spartans (7th in the NCAA, 19-2) faced off in East Lansing on Friday night. The Wolverines didn’t have any problems dealing with the Spartans, beating them 83-71. They’ll take their 20-1 record against Penn State this week while the Spartans will try to return to their winning ways against Minnesota.

“All readers come to fiction as willing accomplices to your lies. Such is the basic goodwill contract made the moment we pick up a work of fiction.” — Steve Almond, WD. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 1st, the 5th Sunday of 2026 and the first one in February. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Johannes Trithemius, German Benedictine Abbot of Sponheim who amassed a monastery library of 2,000 books; Elkanah Settle, British poet and playwright (The World in the Moon, The Empress of Morocco); Abraham Emanuel Fröhlich, Swiss poet and fabulist (Ulrich von Hutten, Hundert neue Fabeln); ames A. Herne, American playwright (Hearts of Oak; Margaret Fleming); Paul Fort, French poet (founder of Vers et Prose); Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Austrian poet, dramatist and essayist (founded Salzburg festival); Yevgeny Zamyatin, Russian writer and Soviet dissident (We); Charles Nordhoff, British-American author (The Bounty Trilogy, The Hurricane); Denise Robins, English romantic novelist (1st Long Kiss); Stephen Potter, English writer and humorist (School for Scoundrels, Shipbuilders); Langston Hughes, American poet (Weary Blues), playwright (Mulatto), and librettist (Troubled Island); Georg Rendl, Austrian writer (The Bees Novel), beekeeper and painter; S J Perelman, American author, humorist and screenwriter (The New Yorker, Around the World in 80 Days); Michael Kanin, American director, writer and actor (Woman of the Year, Teacher’s Pet); Zhang Chunqiao, Chinese politician and writer (member of the Gang of Four); Muriel Spark, Scottish author (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie); Ben Weider, Canadian businessman and author (The Murder of Napoleon); Douglas Johnson, British historian; Galway Kinnell, American author (Body Rags, Book of Nightmares); Reynolds Price, American writer (A Long and Happy Life; Kate Vaiden; Strengthened By a Pale Green Light); Jerry Spinelli, American children’s author (Stargirl, Wringer); Kevin McCarra, Scottish sports journalist (The Guardian, Scotland on Sunday, The Times); Andrew Upton, Australian playwright, screenwriter, and film director (Riflemind, Little Fish, Gone); and Meg Cabot, American author.

Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: S J Perelman. 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

Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos as I’m dealing with multiple external activities. Over the past week, there have been an additional fourteen chapter reviews, bringing the total to fifty-five. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

Here’s the next snippet:

Two weeks later, the Lufthansa Airbus 321 Neo touched down on time at Cairo’s International Airport. After the plane bounced once, the tires gripped the tarmac and began to smoke. The pilot weaved through several aircraft taxiing toward their gates or preparing to depart.

When they arrived at their gate, Charles, Isabella, and Finley waited for the aircraft to come to a complete stop before unbuckling their seatbelts and climbing out of their seats. Charles slid into the center of the aisle to block the flow of passengers pushing forward while Isabella and Finely retrieved belongings from the overhead bins.

“Uncle Charles, I was disappointed we didn’t travel first class, as you mentioned, but business class was perfect.”

Charles grinned. “The only way to travel first class from Edinburgh to Cairo would have taken twice as long and meant two additional stops. I think you’ll find our hotel will make up for it.”

“Finley, Charles and I would like you to do something for us.” Isabella smiled at her nephew. “Please drop auntie and uncle—at least when other people are around.”

“Okay, Aunt—I mean, Isabella.” A grin etched across Finley’s face. “This trip is a dream come true.”

As they worked their way to the exit, economy passengers tried to push their way forward but were kept at bay by the cabin crew. Upon disembarking, Charles, Isabella, and Finley marched up the access ramp into the terminal. They followed other passengers heading to the baggage claim area.

“Finley, we better grab two trolleys.”

“I’ll get them Un—Charles.” Finley pointed to a sign over two rows of empty carts. “Be right back.”

Charles began pulling their suitcases off the luggage belt as they came by and stacked them on the floor.

When Finley returned, he assisted Charles in transferring everything to the trolleys.”

“Ready?” Isabella gestured toward the exit. “Follow me.”

After a quick stop to have their passports stamped, they headed out of the arrivals hall. Outside, a cacophony of shouts, screams, and laughter assaulted them.

“Look, Uncle—Charles, the guards are all armed.”

“Typical for this part of the world—nothing to be alarmed about.” Charles glanced around and smiled when he spotted Ali and another man heading toward them.

Dressed in a red tarbouche and Bedouin-style white thoab, both men looked as if they had just stepped off a film set.

“Ali! I love your fez and your robe. But, shouldn’t you be wearing a keffiyeh instead of the fez?”

Ali shook Charles’s hand and kissed him on both cheeks. “You mentioned Professor Burness enjoyed Raiders of the Lost Ark, so I thought I should look the part.’ He gestured toward the other man. “This is my cousin, Darius. He will be your head porter.”

Charles shook hands and nodded toward Isabella.

Ali had already approached her. After kissing her outstretched hand, he pecked her on both cheeks. “Professor Burness, welcome to the land of the pharaohs. Allow me to introduce myself.” He stood to attention and seemed to grow taller. “My honorable lady, I am Sheikh Mohammad Ali Mustafa Kafir El-Badawi, at your service.” He removed his fez and bowed. He removed his fez and bowed. “At your service.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Sheikh—”

He laughed. “I agree my full name is quite a mouthful, especially for people who aren’t used to Egyptian names. Henceforth, I shall respond to Ali.”

“I’ll call you Ali on one condition.” Isabella smiled. “You must call me Isabella. Professor Burness is too formal.” She turned to her nephew. “This is Finley. He will be with us most of the time.”

Ali shook hands with the lanky young man with light red hair and blue eyes. “Welcome to Cairo, Finley. I hope you will do me the honor of allowing me to teach you everything I know.”

“Thank you, Ali. I’m sure you will help me a lot.”

“I think we’re ready to depart, Ali.” Charles stepped behind one of the trolleys.

“No, Professor. I shall take one, and Darius will take the other. We have two vehicles outside, so follow us.”

Once in the baking sunshine, Ali led them toward a pair of battered once-white vans. A guard cradling an AK-47 leaned against the first one.

Ali shook hands with the guard and introduced him. “Professor Charles, this is Jabari. He lives up to the meaning of his name, as he is known for his bravery. Jabari is another of my cousins, and he will be in charge of your guard force.”

When Jabari smiled, sunlight bounced off his four gold front teeth. “Welcome, Professor Charles. Upon my family’s honor, I shall protect you, your wife, and your nephew.” He glanced at Ali and Darius. “And my cousins, should they require it.”

Ali turned to Charles. “Take only the luggage you will require during our stay in Cairo. Everything else will be placed in the second van. Darius will take it to the warehouse I rented to serve as your office and staging area.”

After the luggage was distributed, Ali opened a passenger door and gestured toward Isabella. “If you please, I shall take you to the wonderous hotel your husband has picked out for your first visit to Cairo.”

She laughed as she climbed inside.

Moments later, with everyone in the van, Ali leaned toward Charles, who sat in the front passenger seat. Ali whispered, “What is the name of your wonderous hotel?”

Charles grinned. “The Kempinski Nile Hotel.”

Ali whistled. “It is good for you I did not know this before we agreed upon my wages. I would have held out for more.” He rapped his knuckles on the dash and turned the key.

Nothing happened.

Ali tilted forward and mumbled a few words in Arabic and tried the key again.

A thick cloud of smoke blew over the van as the engine sputtered to life.

Charles glanced at Ali. “What did you say?”

“I told this son of a modern camel if he embarrassed me again, I would take him to the Nile and push him in.”

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, January 25, 2026

January 25, 2026 Randall Krzak

When we went for our regular grocery shopping trip on Wednesday, I was surprised to find the store so busy. Of course, I had forgotten about the predicted snow storm but was quickly reminded when I noticed the eggs, milk, bottled water, and bread had all but disappeared from the shelves. The storm was anticipated to begin around 1pm on Saturday and last for twenty-four hours. As of midnight, there hadn’t been any precipitation, but by 8am this morning we had a bit of a dusting of snow. Will be interesting to see if we get more as the day progresses.

The Detroit Pistons played three games this week, winning two and dropping won. They are now 32-11in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, with a seven-game lead over 2nd place Cleveland. Hopefully, their winning ways will continue!

The Michigan Wolverines moved up to 3rd in the NCAA rankings after winning last week. They won two games this week, improving their record to 18-1. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans moved up to 10th in the rankings. They also played two games this week, winning both of them. Last night, they rolled past Maryland, 91-48. Good luck to both teams as they continue their winning ways!

“When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.” — George Orwell. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on January 25th, the 4th Sunday of 2026 and the fourth and final one in January. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Gaspar Fagel, Dutch statesman and writer; Robert Burns, Scottish poet (Auld Lang Syne) considered the national poet of Scotland; Arne Garborg, Norwegian writer and playwright (Bondestudentar); Julije Kempf, Croatian historian and writer; W. Somerset Maugham, British novelist and poet (Of Human Bondage); Virginia Woolf, British author (Jacob’s Room, To the Lighthouse); Kitahara Hakushū, Japanese poet and children’s writers; Diego Valeri, Italian author and poet (Le Gaie Tristezze); Yojiro Ishizaka, Japanese writer; Gerard Knuvelder, Dutch literature historian (Vocation, Kitty); Frans Goedhart, Dutch journalist (Het Parool); Lord Iliffe, English publisher (Coventry Evening Telegraph/Autocar); Michael Duane, British progressive educationalist and author; Russell Reading Braddon, Australian author; Jules de Palm, Antilles writer; Raymond Baxter, English television presenter and writer (Fast Lady); Eva Zeller, German poet and novelist; Paavo Haavikko, Finnish poet and writer; Kathleen Tynan Halton, Canadian-British journalist and author; Shotaro Ishinomori, Japanese manga author; Silvio Blatter, Swiss writer; John Cooper Clarke, English performance poet; Gloria Naylor, American author (Women of Brewster Place), born in New York City; and Geoff Johns, American comic book writer.

Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: Robert Burns (today is the anniversary of his birth) and Virginia Woolf. 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

Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos as I’m dealing with multiple external activities.. Over the past week, there have been an additional five chapter reviews, bringing the total to forty-one. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

Here’s the next snippet:

To: Charles Rennie

From: Finley Burness

Many thanks for the invite, Uncle Charles. Egypt sounds cool. My mum and dad said I could go as long as I’m helpful and don’t get in the way. I’ve read all the information about the Temples of Abydos on the links you sent me. I’m terribly excited and look forward to the trip. Thank you and Auntie Isabella for inviting me. I’ll be ready to go on Friday.

Charles smiled as he reread Finley’s email before sending the details about the firearms training. He typed a second email, this one to his sister, Grace.

Hey, Sis. Many thanks for allowing Finley to participate in our excursion. This will give him a leg up when he starts his archeology training after his gap year. I promise to keep him out of trouble and teach him everything I can about being an archaeologist.

After booking a flight from Edinburgh to Cairo, he sent a final email—this one to Ali, with their flight information for a Friday evening arrival in two weeks.

“I’m gagging for a tea.”

Charles glanced up and smiled when Isabella entered the office. “Don’t sit down. I’ll get you one and meet you in the living room. You need to sort through the myriad of Amazon packages that arrived this afternoon. What on Earth did you buy?”

Isabella laughed. “We can’t go on an archeological dig without being properly attired. I bought clothes, hats, and shoes for all three of us, along with matching backpacks and belts.”

Oh, great! She must have watched Raiders of the Lost Ark again! “Yes, dear. Let me get your tea and freshen up my coffee. I’ll meet you in the living room.”

When he joined Isabella, she had most of the boxes opened. He studied the stack of clothing, shoes, and hats she bought for him. “Very impressive. I expected you to dress me like Indiana Jones, and I’m relieved you didn’t.”

Isabella rolled her eyes. “It did cross my mind, but I thought it would be better to be prudent. After all, I wouldn’t want you to look like a complete imbecile.” She handed him a final package.

He shook it—something moved inside. “What’s this?”

A mischievous smile crossed her face. “Nothing an experienced archaeologist should be without. Go on—open it.”

They both burst into laughter when he opened the box and pulled out a whip similar to the one used by Indiana Jones. He went to the balcony, stepped outside, snapped the whip in the air. “Now, I’m ready.”

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, January 18, 2026

January 18, 2026 Randall Krzak

The number and variety of birds visiting has increased over the past couple of weeks. We’re also seeing more squirrels, wild turkeys and deer. Not sure why the change, but it’s great to see the wildlife!

The Detroit Pistons played two games this week, winning both of them. They’re now 30-10 on the season, in first place in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference, 7.5 games ahead of second-place Cleveland. Hopefully, they will continue their winning ways!

The Michigan Wolverines also played two games this week, winning both of them by ten points. Although they dropped to fourth in the NCAA rankings, they are now 16-1 on the season. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans, ranked twelfth, improved to 16-2. Both teams play again on Tuesday.

“Making people believe the unbelievable is no trick; it’s work. … Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.” — Stephen King, WD (this quote is from an interview with King in the WD May/June 2009 issue). Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on January 18th, the 3rd Sunday of 2026 and the third one in January. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Antoine Houdar de la Motte, French playwright and poet; Montesquieu, French philosopher and writer (Letters Persanes); Peter Mark Roget, British lexicographer (Roget’s Thesaurus) and inventor (slide rule, pocket chessboard); William Henry Havergal, British composer, hymn writer, and Anglican clergyman; Johannes van Vloten, Dutch literary figure and theologist; Louis van Haecke, Belgian chaplain and author (Blood to Bridge); Jan Ferguut [Jan van Droogenbroeck], Belgian poet; Austin Dobson, English poet, critic and biographer; Ioan Slavici, Transylvanian-Romanian writer, founded the Young Romania Social and Literary Academic Society; Rubén Darío, Nicaraguan journalist, diplomat and poet; Paul Léautaud [Maurice Boissard], French writer and theatre critic (Petit ami); Gaston Gallimard, French publisher (Librairie Gallimard); A.A. Milne, English author of the Winnie-the-Pooh books; Arthur Ransome, English author, journalist and critic (Swallows & Amazons); C. M. Eddy, Jr., American writer; Hans H. Holm, Norwegian poet (Jonsoknatt); Jacob Bronowski, Polish-born British mathematician and science writer best known as the presenter of the BBC television series, The Ascent of Man; Charles Delaunay, French writer, magazine publisher (Le Jazz Hot), jazz musiclogist (Hot Discography), record label founder, and music promoter; William Sansom, English writer (Loving Eye); Arno Schmidt, German writer; James Crow, American geneticist and educator (Genetic Theories and Influences: Comments on the Value of Diversity); Gilles Deleuze, French philosopher (Difference and Repetition); Robert Anton Wilson, American sci-fi author (Trick Top Hat); Jon Stallworthy, English poet; Raymond Briggs, British children’s book author and illustrator (The Snowman; Fungus the Bogeyman); Anthony Giddens, English sociologist (theory of structuration), and prolific author; Bill Keller, American founding editor-in-cheif of nonprofit “The Marshall Project” and executive editor of “The New York Times”; Dave Attell, American writer and comedian (Captain Miserable, Insomniac with Dave Attell; and Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenyan author and journalist.

Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: A. A. Milne. 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

I found out on this week that Mission: Yemen is now on the finalist list for the 2025 Chanticleer International Book Awards for Global Thrillers. The 6-8 first in category winners and the genre grand prize winner will be announced on April 18th. Fingers crossed that Mission: Yemen becomes one of the first in category winners, or even better, the genre grand prize winner!

The cover of Mission: Yemen is still competing in the monthly competition held by http://www.allauthor.com. It’s currently in the third round but in order to move forward, it’ll need your help.

If you like the cover and are so inclined, please go to the website and vote for it. Here’s the link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/20355/.

Thanks in advance!

My Work in Progress

Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos. Over the past week, there have been an additional nine chapter reviews, bringing the total to thirty-six . As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

Here’s the next snippet:

Charles glanced out the office window at the West Sands, famous for the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, as he waited for someone to answer the phone. He sipped from his first mug of coffee for the day while he counted the number of rings. After reaching ten, he gave up, and began to put the phone down when he heard a male voice.

“Hello. You have reached the Supreme Council of Antiquities within the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.”

“Hello. Could I speak with Ali?”

“It is I who is speaking. To whom do I have the indubitable pleasure of addressing?”

“This is Charles Rennie. We met about five years ago at an Egyptian symposium.”

“Ah, Professor Charles. How could I not forget my favorite Scotsman?”

Charles chuckled. I was the only Scot at the symposium.

“To what divination from the gods do I owe the pleasure of your call?”

Charles laughed. “I’m looking for a charismatic character, full of wit, and knowledgeable about Egyptian antiquities. Are you aware of any such individual?”

“As it so happens, I do. You are talking to the most charismatic—and witty Egyptian in the whole world.”

“Aye. Well, I’m taking a one-year break from teaching and want to explore some Egyptian sites. The first one I chose is Abydos.”

“It is most fortunate for you I am well-versed with the temples of Abydos and happen to be available. In fact, my boss said if I never came back, it would be too soon.” Ali burst into laughter. “I do not know how he would function without me to keep him in line. But, there is an important question I must ask.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you think you can afford me? My serious self comes with a modest price tag of seventy-two thousand Egyptian pounds a year, but I charge extra for wit and knowledge.”

“Aye. But how do you keep them separate?”

“It is in the knowing of what a client wants. After all, it takes much work to be my charming self, so why not charge for it?”

“What about a base salary of seven thousand Egyptian pounds a month plus expenses?

Ali laughed. “That appears to be a fair amount. But ten thousand Egyptian pounds would be even better. Toss in meals, and I will be your humble servant as long as you require. Mind you, I do eat a lot.”

“I’m sure we can accommodate you.” Charles chucked. Okay, ten thousand Egyptian pounds, which is just over one hundred fifty British pounds, My wife, Isabella, will be accompanying me, plus one of my nephews, Finley Burness, who wants to be an archaeologist. Can you arrange the necessary dig permits and extended visas for us from the ministry? What about workmen?”

“For the appropriate stipend, I can arrange anything you will require. There will be the usual modest fees plus my commission.”

“How much is your commission?”

Ali coughed. “Ten percent.”

“Hmm. A bit steep. Make it five, and we have a deal.”

“How about seven and a half?”

“Six—my final offer.”

Ali chortled. “Professor Charles, you are almost as good at bargaining as an Egyptian. I am happy to accept your gracious offer. At the first available opportunity, which will be today, I shall begin arranging vehicles, supplies, diggers, porters, and armed guards.”

“Why armed guards?”

“Since you were last in Egypt, there has been an increase in attacks at antiquity sites. Some people were kidnapped for ransom, and several were shot for no apparent reason.”

“I see. Aye, armed guards would be prudent.”

“I am glad you understand my thought processes, Professor Charles. When are you wanting to begin?”

“Isabella, Finley, and I will be in Cairo in three weeks as we need to time to arrange our visas and get requisite shots. Give me your email address, and I’ll send the details to you.”

Ali gave his address to Charles. “Upon receipt of your email, I will send you the account information for you to do a transfer of funds to me so I may begin preparations.”

“Aye. How much will you need?”

“It is, of course, up to your esteemed self, but I am thinking the princely sum of five thousand of your pounds will be sufficient for me to begin.”

“That much?”

“Yes, Professor Charles. Antiquity search is no stranger to price increases. Everyone wants more money. Of course, I shall only hire the very best, you can rest assured.”

“Very well. Anything else?”

“Yes. It would be prudent for you and Missus Professor, as well as your nephew, to learn which end of a weapon to point at nefarious individuals. It might make the difference between breathing and not.”

“Aye. I will enquire about what is available for the average person in Scotland, but I think it’s reserved for armed police officers and the military. If not, can I assume something will be arranged in Cairo?”

“On the grave of my father, I shall promise to teach all three of you. It is in my best self-interest to do so. After all, I am not wanting to join my ancestors just yet.”

Charles chuckled. “We will leave things in your capable hands, Ali. I shall send the flight details as soon as they are confirmed.”

“Excellent, Professor. I shall work with unbridled desire.”

Charles broke the connection. He’s still a character. Wonder what Isabella will think of him?

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, January 4, 2026

January 4, 2026 Randall Krzak

Hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous new year! All the best!!

The Michigan Wolverines (18) football team played Texas (13) in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, the Wolverines were upset 41-27. They finished the season at 9-4.

The Detroit Pistons had a somewhat bad week, dropping two consecutive games, although they managed to win one. They are still in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division with at 25-9 record, six games ahead of second place Cleveland who they play tonight. Hopefully, Detroit can get back to their winning ways!

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team continued their winning ways, beating the McNeese Cowboys 112-71 and the USC Trojans 96-66. The Wolverines are still ranked second in the nation and have a 12-0 record. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans (9) split their two games, beating the Cornel Big Red 114-97, while losing to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 58-56. The Spartans are now 12-2.

“Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. … It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it’s a cactus.” — Enid Bagnold. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on January 4th, the 1st Sunday of 2026 and the first one in January. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Franciscus Aguilon, Belgian Jesuit physicist, mathematician and architect (book on Optics “Opticorum Libri Sex); Jakob Balde, German poet (Jephthe); Sir Isaac Newton, English physicist, mathematician and astronomer (Gravity, Laws of Motion); Paul-Louis Courier, (de Mere), French classical scholar and pamphleteer; Jakob Grimm, German philologist, folklorist and editor of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales; Louis Braille, French educator and inventor of a system of reading and writing for the blind; Isaac Pitman, English teacher and inventor of Pitman shorthand (Stenographic Soundhand); Casimiro de Abreu, Brazil, poet (Meus oito anos), novelist and playwright (Camoes e o jau); Svend Fleuron, Danish writer; Alfred Edgar Coppard, English short story writer (Black Dogs & Other Stories); Wilhelm Lehmbruck, German painter, poet and sculptor (Seated Youth); Max Eastman, American critic, essayist, and editor of The Masses; James Bond, American ornithologist and expert on birds of the Caribbean (Birds of the West Indies); C. L. R. James [Cyril Lionel Robert James], Trinidadian historian (The Black Jacobins), journalist, intellectual and socialist; Bobby Tulloch, Scottish ornithologist, and writer (Bobby Tulloch’s Shetland: An islander, his islands and their wildlife); Robert Lindsey Jr., American journalist and author (The Falcon and the Snowman, Ghost Scribbler); Gao Xingjian, Chinese-born French novelist and dramatist (Nobel laureate, 2000); Doris Kearns Goodwin, American historian and writer (Team of Rivals, No Ordinary Time); Alicia Garza, American writer and civil rights activist (co-founded #BlackLivesMatter); and Nabila Jamshed, Indian humanitarian, public speaker, and author (Wish Upon a Time – The Legendary Scimitar).

Any names familiar to you? There were three for me this week: Sir Isaac Newton, Jakob Grimm, Robert Lindsey, Jr. 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

I found out on New Year’s Eve that Mission: Yemen is now on the semi-finalist list for the 2025 Chanticleer International Book Awards for Global Thrillers.

The finalists should be announced some time in late February. I’ll keep you posted.

My Work in Progress

I’ve gone back to a story I began a few years ago, Abydos. The first three chapters have been posted to one of the online subscription writing sites I use. So far, there have been twenty-one chapter reviews. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.

As a reminder, here’s what the story is about:

History professor Sylvie Burness and her husband, Charles Wilkie, a renowned Greek archaeologist, are seeking a new project after spending years cataloging Celtic sites throughout the United Kingdom.

Long fascinated with Egypt, Charles proposes an excursion to one of the lesser-known locations, Abydos, a historic city that played an important role in ancient Egypt. Sylvia agrees and together they plan their trip.

Unbeknown to them, an unethical antiquities group called Guardians of Shadows are using one of the Abydos temples as their hideout.

Will Sylvia and Charles be able to evade this group and escape with their lives or will they be entombed in Abydos for generations?

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Randall’s Ramblings, December 21, 2025

December 21, 2025 Randall Krzak

Our kittens thoroughly enjoy getting on the deck and watching the wildlife. It’s like having free baby sitting for them. Of course, they’re too rambunctious for our adult cat, Tommy, who likes the deck to himself. This morning there were several deer visiting, but they scattered when the kittens appeared.

The Detroit Lions lost again last weekend, dropping their record to 8-6. They’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot must need to win their final three games and also get some help from other teams. They play Pittsburg (8-6) today. Hopefully, the Lions can bounce back.

The Detroit Pistons played three games this week, winning two and dropping one. They are now 22-6, and still in first place in the Central Division of the NBA Eastern Conference with a 7.5 game lead over second place Cleveland. Their next game is Monday against Portland.

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team take their 10-0 record against the 4-8 LaSalle Explorers today. Michigan is still ranked 2nd in the NCAA rankings. Meanwhile, 9th ranked Michigan State upped their record to 11-1 yesterday when they beat the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 79-70.

“Genius gives birth, talent delivers. What Rembrandt or Van Gogh saw in the night can never be seen again. Born writers of the future are amazed already at what they’re seeing now, what we’ll all see in time for the first time, and then see imitated many times by made writers.”
– Jack Kerouac, WD. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 21st, the 51st Sunday of 2025 and the third one in December. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Leopold von Ranke, German historian who founded the modern concept of source-based history; Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, British Prime Minister (Tory: 1868, 1874-80) and writer; Lewis H. Morgan, American ethnologist (Systems of Consanguinity); Namık Kemal, Turkish journalist and political activist (Young Ottomans); Thomas Bracken, Irish-born New Zealand poet; James Lane Allen, American writer (Kentucky Cardinal); Isolde Kurz, German poet and short-story writer (Meine Mutter); Gustave Kahn, French symbolist poet and art critic; Albert Payson Terhune, American novelist (Lad, a Dog); an Łukasiewicz, Polish logician, philosopher, professor, and author; Amy Key Clarke, English mystical poet and writer; Oda Schaefer, German writer and journalist (Die Windharfe, Ladies Only); Vsevolod Vishnevsky, Russian playwright and journalist; Juan A de Zunzunegui y Loredo, Spanish writer; Anthony Powell, English novelist (Infants of Spring); Garmt Stuiveling, Dutch poet and literary (Poet in Love); Seichō Matsumoto, Japanese mystery writer and journalist; Eve Perrick, British journalist (The Daily Mail); John Boon, British publisher (Mills and Boon); Diana Athill, English writer and editor (Stet); Intizar Hussain, Urdu writer and columnist; Edward Hoagland, American essayist; and Quinta Brunson, American writer, producer and actress (Abbott Elementary).

Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: John Boon.. 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

The second edit pass on the manuscript for Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion is moving forward. Edits are based on reader feedback and make adjustments based on what I think works best. There were another four new chapter reviews, bringing the final total to 351. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.

Here’s the penultimate snippet:

Jubal panted with fear at the amount of blood that oozed from the man who was crushed between two mechanical carriages. Even with all the beatings and murders he’d witnessed, Jubal couldn’t remember someone screaming any louder than the man whose arm was so badly crushed.

Jubal wanted so desperately to keep from getting beaten or killed by going against the master’s wishes, but he took his carriage and his daughter to get the man to safety. He was sure to be killed for the theft and technical kidnapping of the master’s possessions and daughter.

Evie was always kind to Jubal. He knew her end goal was to bring down her father and free his people. He only hoped she had a plan now.

Jubal held up Finn’s head and poured more whiskey in his mouth in hopes it would kill some of the pain or at least keep him asleep long enough for Miss Evangeline to operate. Jubal learned Finn was a kind man who didn’t like the master any more than he did.

Jubal was still a young boy, but he hated Barnabas Latimer. When his father was killed in front of him by the master, he was only eight, but it sealed the contempt he held in his heart. It too was the first time Jubal formed opinions about a situation rather than obeying what he was told.

Jubal was only thirteen now and worried each day about what the end of his life might look like. It was bound and determined to come one day, considering his skin color; but even more, it was because he was a black male. He was undoubtedly the kind of person Latimer would take out his aggression on.

Jubal’s father didn’t do anything other than drop a hoe while working the fields, and that was the end of that. The very same tool to the back of the head brought a quick end to his father.

“Miss, what are we goin’ to do about the master?” Jubal looked at Evie, hoping for reassurance that he wasn’t going back there. He would do anything not to. His return would seal his fate.

“Once we get done here and Finn heals a bit so we can move him, I plan on getting all three of us out of Tankard Town; somewhere he can recuperate and we can get you to freedom.” Evie stared into the distance. “I can’t go home after all this. Latimer would likely beat me, and you would get far worse. I can’t allow that to happen to you.” Evie’s face softened before she redirected her attention to erecting something mechanical.

“Are you sure that we will be able to get out of here, miss?” Jubal glanced around. “Wherever here is.”

“This is a room I secured long ago for just this purpose,” Evie answered. “I have helped many a slave get to safety from this room.”

“I don’t be wantin’ you to tell me any of this, miss.” Jubal dabbed some sweat from Finn’s head. “Not until I be far gone from this place. I don’t want to know nothin’ that might be used against you if’in something happened. Understand? Your pa knows how to get what he wants from folks.”

“I understand, more than you might know.” Evie’s sad eyes searched Jubal’s. “I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure my father never lays a hand on you.”

Jubal nodded.

Evie checked the makeshift tourniquet on what was left of Finn’s arm. The bleeding finally stopped.

Jubal widened his eyes in awe. It was amazing how well she worked under pressure.

Evie turned back to her small heap of metal.

“What are you buildin’?” He pointed at her creation.

“Something that will help our friend.” Her lips curved at the corners as she meticulously pieced together tiny cogs and wheels in precise order.

Jubal eyed the table, where Evie set out larger cogs and two spools of silver wire.

The contraption was made of parts from automatons.

Jubal had seen many things fashioned from the same components. Most of them were Miss Evangeline’s pet creatures. More villainous were contraptions that the master put together to spy on his people.

“I know if anyone knows what they be doin,’ it’d be you, Miss Evie.” Jubal smiled.

“Why, thank you,” she said. “I have never met anyone who appreciates what I do, nor my creations.”

A knock sounded at the door that sent Jubal into the air. He didn’t expect it nor want it. Immediately he worried they’d been discovered, which meant things would get worse for them.

They made sure to hide the carriage in the woods and take a private autostoker for the next part of their journey.

Evie told Jubal that the horses from the carriage would have known how to track their steps, which meant they must leave them behind. If this were someone who discovered their location, that meant they’d followed the pair all along.

“Wait.” Evie lifted a hand. She whispered, “If there is a third round of knocks, it will be safe to open it. If not, we need to stay put.”

The final snippet will be posted next week before I resume working on Temples of Abydos.

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Randall’s Ramblings, December 14, 2025

December 14, 2025 Randall Krzak

We had a visit a couple times this week from Tom turkey as his brood of six. As he strutted around, the hens got in line with his demands. Several deer also stopped by, but it seemed to be the squirrels who kept the interest of Leo and Lucy, our adopted kittens. They spent hours on the deck watching the squirrels run around.

The Detroit Lions won their latest game, beating the Dallas Cowboys and kept themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot. Today, they play the L.A. Rams, who are 10-3, while Detroit is 8-5. Detroit will need to win today and their final three games if they hope to play in the post season. Come on, Lions!

The Detroit Pistons upped their record this week to 20-5 by thrashing the Atlanta Hawks, 142-115. Detroit is now 5.5 games ahead of second place Cleveland and have the best record in the Eastern Conference. Their next game is Monday night against the Boston Celtics.

The eighteenth-ranked Michigan Wolverines football team will play on December 31st against the fourteenth-ranked Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl. Both teams have 9-3 records. Look forward to watching!

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team is now ranked second. This week they won two more games, upping their record to 10-0. Will they move up in the rankings? Let’s hope so. They play their next game is next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans lost last weekend, dropping from 7th to 9th in the rankings. They improved their record to 9-1 with a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Spartans play the Toledo Rockets on Tuesday and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Saturday.

The writing of a novel is taking life as it already exists, not to report it but to make an object, toward the end that the finished work might contain this life inside it and offer it to the reader. The essence will not be, of course, the same thing as the raw material; it is not even of the same family of things. The novel is something that never was before and will not be again.” — Eudora Welty, WD. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 14th, the fiftieth Sunday of 2025 and the second one in December. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Nostradamus, French astrologist and prophet (Les Propheties); Aphra Behn, English playwright and novelist (Oroonoko – one of earliest English novels); Giuseppe Valentini, Italian violinist, poet, and composer; Justus Möser, German statesman and writer; Juan Nicasio Gallego, Spanish poet and interpreter (El dos the mayo); Charles Wolfe, Irish poet; Salvador Díaz Mirón, Mexican poet (Los Cien Mejores Poemas); Jane Cowl, American actress and playwright (Smilin’ Through); Regina Ullmann, Swiss poet and writer; Paul Éluard, French communist and poet; Mária Szepes, Hungarian author (The Red Lion); Shirley Jackson, American writer (Road Through the Wall); Gerard Reve, Dutch writer (Evenings, Dear Guys); Jaun Elia, Pakistani scholar, poet and philosopher; Ellen Willis, American journalist and feminist; Boudewijn Büch, Dutch writer (The Madhouse) and television host (The World of Bodewijn Büch); Joe Toplyn, American comedic writer (Late Night with David Letterman); and Ewa Białołęcka, Polish writer.

Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: Nostradamus. 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

The second edit pass on the manuscript for Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion is moving forward. Edits are based on reader feedback and make adjustments based on what I think works best. There were another three new chapter reviews, bringing the total to 347. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.

Here’s another snippet:

Evie wore a spectacular gown made of luxurious silk and lace. It was lavender and black and mimicked a dress she saw on holiday with her parents. She came home and immediately asked her dressmakers to make a copy of the one she saw, knowing they could duplicate the original.

The sleeves of her gown belled and came to the tips of her fingers. Her petticoats and hoops made the skirts billow to the point that they were wider than the average door. One of the few things she liked about being a Latimer was that she got to create anything she could dream, automatons and dresses alike. She wasn’t very fond of anything else attached to the name and cringed when it was used to alert her arrival.

After Felipe announced her and the cheers ended, she strolled inside where people offered shallow greetings, to which Evie smiled in return. She walked towards her parents, who were making small talk with more citizens Evie didn’t care to speak to. Most of the people in that room were just as bad as her father, or worse for associating with him. Many would return home to abuse their slaves and servants without batting an eye. Evie took a deep breath, ignoring the sense she was completely alone while in a room filled with guests.

Most of the men who ran in her father’s circle were reported to have beaten their wives and children, as well, but that wasn’t talked about as much as it should have been. Evie noted Sir Lafitte at her father’s side, as his wife Guinevere stood alongside them. She watched the stoic woman, noting the fear in her eyes.

Evie’s heart went out to the woman who lost a son a few years back. Guinevere’s ten-year-old drowned in the pond while taking a dip. Yet, in typical fashion, even this news was in hushed tones. Only those in their circle knew the truth, and they also understood not to speak a word of it. Most of them hid their dirty secrets.

“Sorry I was late, Mother.” For the first time Evie nearly cringed, thinking that she was not really her mother.

“Why, you insolent child,” Evie’s mother whispered in her ear. She quickly took an elbow to the ribs when Latimer saw the exchange.

Evie was sure not a soul saw him do it.

“Izabella.” Latimer’s cold eyes spoke volumes.

She tensed, giving Evie a flat smile.

It was then Evie noticed her mother—rather, her aunt–was moving gingerly, likely because of a recent beating she received, leaving her careful of her movements.

“Sorry, Father.” Evie bowed her head. “I went to mother’s quarters for this brooch. I had difficulty finding it.” While it was a lie, her father wouldn’t think anything of it.

“It is quite all right,” he growled. “Do be polite and say hello to Winslow and his lady.”

“How do you do, Sir Lafitte, Lady Gwen?” Evie curtsied.

Winslow Lafitte kissed her gloved hand.

“How nice to see you all grown.” Lafitte looked her over.

It sent a shiver of disgust down Evie’s spine.

“I would say you should have been chosen for wifehood by now, but your father tells me you are still unclaimed.”

“I take gentlemen callers on my own time, sir.” Evie nodded. “I don’t see where that would be any of your business.”

“Evangeline,” Izabella snapped.

“If you will pardon me,” Evie said. “I wish to go…” As she left them behind, she muttered under her breath, “Anywhere else but here.”

Once she was out of range, she glanced around the room, making sure she was also free from Felipe’s prying eyes, and made her way to the other side, praying she wouldn’t be noticed.

As the next song drifted through the ballroom, Evie glanced about, staring at the torrid crowd. There were so many tainted couples in the room, yet she wondered about their children. Were their flesh and blood too young to understand what their parents were capable of?

“Might I have this dance?” A low voice sounded as Evie spun to face the man, finding a familiar face.

“Finn!” Evie’s eyes lit up. “What are you doing here? How?”

“I had to figure out a way to see you again.” Finn smiled, leading Evie to the dance floor. “You look beautiful, Evie.”

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, December 7, 2025

December 7, 2025 Randall Krzak

There’s been more squirrels visiting than we’ve seen for some time. Same with the birds, deer, and turkeys. I suppose it’s due to the colder temperatures. The kittens we adopted certainly are enjoying the visitors as they spend time on our enclosed deck checking them out. One squirrel even ventured onto the deck railing and one of the kittens ran to the screen to investigate. The squirrel seemed to sense the kitten couldn’t get any closer and it continued to eat the bird seed we left for our visitors.

The Detroit Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday evening, roaring past them 44-30. Their record improved to 8-5, and are still in the hunt for a NFC wildcard playoff spot. Of course, they probably need to win their remaining games to do this as NFL.com only gives them a 54 percent chance of making it.

The Detroit Pistons played four games in the past week, winning three and losing one. They still have the best record in the Eastern Conference, with a 19-5 record and are in first place in the Central Division, 5.5 games ahead of second place Cleveland.

The third-ranked Michigan Wolverines extended their winning record to 8-0 with a convincing win over Rutgers, 101-60. This is the third consecutive game in which Michigan scored 100 or more points. Meanwhile, the seventh ranked Michigan State Spartans suffered a defeat at home to Duke, 66-60, taking their record to 8-1.

“Genius gives birth, talent delivers. What Rembrandt or Van Gogh saw in the night can never be seen again. Born writers of the future are amazed already at what they’re seeing now, what we’ll all see in time for the first time, and then see imitated many times by made writers.”
– Jack Kerouac, Writers Digest. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 7th, the forty-ninth Sunday of 2025 and the first one in December. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Abū-Sa’īd Abul-Khayr, Persian mystic and poet; Allan Cunningham, Scottish poet and author; Johann Nestroy, Austrian actor, singer and playwright (Judith und Holofernes); Otto Ammon, German anthropologist and sociologist (schedelmetingen); Paul Adam, French writer (La Bataille d’Uhde); Svetolik Ranković, Serbian writer (Forest King); Johan Huizinga, Dutch culture historian (Homo Ludens); Willa Cather, American Pulitzer-Prize winning author (One of Ours; My Ántonia); Akiko Yosano, Japanese poet (Tangled Hair); Heywood Broun, American journalist (1st President of American Newspaper Guild); Joyce Cary, Anglo-Irish writer (House of Children); Jacques Gans, Dutch author and journalist; Leigh Brackett, American sci-fi author (Ginger Star); Tatamkhulu Afrika, South African poet and writer; Noam Chomsky, American linguist (founded transformational grammar), philosopher and political activist; Kumar Shahani, Indian writer and director (Kasbam Tarang, Maya Darpan); James Tate, American poet (Pulitzer Prize 1992); Nikola Wapzarow, Bulgarian poet and writer; and Mohamed Diab, Egyptian screenwriter and director (Cairo 678, Marvel’s Moon Knight).

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

The second edit pass on the manuscript for Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion is now underway. Edits are based on reader feedback and make adjustments based on what I think works best. There were another three new chapter reviews, bringing the total to 344. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.

Here’s another snippet:

Izabella flinched as she peered around the ballroom. Where on earth was Annabelle? Being a hostess and having to chase down her daughter and Annabelle was the most nightmarish debacle that Izabella ever found herself in the middle of. Both girls were thorns in her side.

She pondered whether anyone would recognize her family dynamics were unlike anything they allowed the public to perceive. In truth, Izabella felt a bit sorry for her niece from time to time, but it was much better to remain silent.

The repercussions of telling anyone what happened to her sister were terrifying. Still, Izabella didn’t regret the favor she received by showing loyalty and respect to the man she called her husband. He possessed a degree of handsomeness, even as callous as he was. The luxury in which Izabella found herself living was nothing to dismiss either. She could, on a technicality, be a slave.

The only real drawback to her agreeable life was living as Evangeline’s mother. The one reprieve from restless nights, caring for the wailing infant Evie, was in having her handmaiden. Izabella was not an evil woman, and she would never allow anyone to imply it. Still, the welling of guilt gnawing at the back of her mind left a shadow that crept up, attempting to stifle her words. While it terrorized her, it also taught Izabella the value of silence.

How easy was it to remain unassuming if one merely slipped into the shadows and minded their manners? If she didn’t choose to do so on her own, her husband would have made sure by other means that she was silenced.

Peculiar was the most fitting word for her daughter; but as she considered it, what else could she have expected? A smile plastered across her face, and the beauty of her visage was the only thing Izabella ever needed. As she saw it, her sister’s belligerence and stupidity were her problems and no one else’s.

If she possessed any sense at all, she would have long ago learned to use the beauty she was blessed with to beguile gentlemen.

Izabella and Vivien were fools to think their beauty, paired with a sharp tongue, would be sufficient to stay safe. And most assuredly in Tankard Town, in the heart of the Confederacy, no less. Though, as Izabella moved through the parlor, she could not help but wonder how differently things may have gone if Abraham Lincoln hadn’t been exiled. If only the North had prevailed.

But they hadn’t, and Izabella’s wits were the thing that kept not only her but her niece safe. Who was anyone to judge her for doing the best with what she was given? Still, the way Annabelle regarded her was like a nagging itch in the back of her mind. Izabella wrung her hands. Somehow, in some way, the girls put two and two together.

More next time.

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Randall’s Ramblings, November 30, 2025

November 30, 2025 Randall Krzak

I didn’t have a chance to complete last Sunday’s post as we were dealing with the second loss of a pet this month. Hope, our fifteen-year-old who we adopted back in 2014, had a gastro-intestinal carcinoma and was euthanized. She joined Alfie, who lost his fight with a heart condition on November 3rd.

We’ve given a home to two feral kittens who were born on August 22nd. They’re live wires, until they tucker themselves out. We’ve named the boy, Leo, and the girl is Lucy. So far, Tommy our feral from Michigan who has been with us since 2017, doesn’t seem to impressed with the newcomers, but he should settle down eventually.

There’s been plenty of wildlife visitors this week: deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and birds. The kittens are enjoying watching them on the deck!

The Detroit Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, dropping their record to 7-5. They’re still in the hunt for a post-season playoff position, but need to win the rest of their games and hope for some help from other teams.

The Detroit Pistons saw their thirteen-game winning streak snapped as they lost two games. They won last night and are still in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, with a 16-4 record.

The Michigan Wolverines lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 27-9, dropping their record to 9-3, while Ohio State remains undefeated. The Wolverines are out of the college playoff picture, but will still be invited to a bowl game.

Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans upped their record to 4-8 with a 38-28 win over Maryland. Unfortunately, the Spartans are not bowl-eligible this year as a minimum of six wins are needed.

Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head. Shakespeare has perhaps 20 players .… I have 10 or so, and that’s a lot. As you get older, you become more skillful at casting them.” —Gore Vidal. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on November 30th, the forty-eigth Sunday of 2025 and the fifth and final one in November. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Veronica Gambara, Italian poet; Philip Sidney, English Elizabethan era poet (Arcadia) and soldier; Louis-Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemont, French ecclesiastical historian; Johnathan Swift, Irish author and satirist (Gulliver’s Travels, A Modest Proposal); John Toland, Irish rationalist philosopher; Hermann Kurz, German poet and novelist (Schillers Heimatjahre); Louise-Victorine Ackermann, French poet (works characterized by a deep sense of pessimism); Theodor Mommsen, German historian and scholar (A History of Rome) who won the 1902 Nobel Prize in Literature; Henri Ernest Baillon, French botanist (History of Plants); Mark Twain, American author (Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer); József Kiss, Hungarian literary (Zsido Dalok); John McCrae, Canadian physician, soldier and poet (In Flanders Fields); Lucy Maud Montgomery,Canadian author (Anne of Green Gables), Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister (Conservative: 1940-45, 1951-55) during World War II, and writer (Nobel Prize in Literature, 1953); John Tasker Howard, American composer and music historian; Corneel Goossens, Flemish literary figure and art historian; Jacques Barzun, French author (The House of Intellect); Robert Lax, American poet (The Circus of the Sun; The Peacemaker’s Handbook); Anne Wadman, Dutch writer who wrote in Frisian (Fioele & faem, Smearlappen); Robert Evett, American composer, writer, editor, and music critic; oan Ganz Cooney, American educational television writer and producer (co-founder of the Children’s Television Workshop; Sesame Street); Adeline Yen Mah, Chinese-American writer (Falling Leaves) and physician; David Mamet, American playwright (Speed the Plow, House of Games); Sergio Badilla Castillo, Chilean poet; Keith Giffen, American comic book writer and artist (Legion of Super-Heroes, Justice League); Joël Champetier, French Canadian science fiction author (La Taupe et le Dragon; Survie sur Mars); Daniel Keys Moran, American sci-fi writer (The Great Wheel of Existence); David Nicholls, English novelist and screenwriter (One Day); Chris Weitz, American screenwriter and director (About a Boy, The Golden Compass); and David Auburn, American screenwriter, theatre director and playwright (Proof; Summer, 1976).

Any names familiar to you? There were three for me this week: Johnathan Swift, Mark Twain, and Winston Churchill. 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

Since my last post I’ve completed the first edit pass on the manuscript for Harding’s Challenge: The Great Rebellion based on reader feedback and make adjustments based on what I think works best. I should finish the first of six/seven edit passes over the next week. There were another eight new chapter reviews, bringing the total to 341. As always, plenty of feedback to improve the story.

Here’s another snippet:

“I am making an assembly in the ballroom. I would like for you to join us there.” Izabella stared her down, lifting her chin a bit too high.

“But of course, mistress. I will be there momentarily.” Anna replied with a curtness that came out rather abrupt. At least, far more than she anticipated.

“What was that, Annabelle?” Izabella’s mouth twisted as her hard eyes narrowed. The woman looked slightly miffed as her finely contoured brow instantly perked above her right eye.

Anna bowed, avoiding Izabella’s challenging stare, lowered her head and curtsied. “I will be there in haste, Madam Latimer. Most certainly,” Anna murmured.

“Humph. See that you do, or else I might have to see to your disciplining.” Izabella scoffed as she glanced down at her. Her fairer skin seemed to tinge as her cheeks flushed.

Anna knew better than to lift her chin, or else the tines of Izabella’s beautifully cut Marquis Diamond might meet her cheek and leave a nasty cut. Worse, she would be made to clean the mess and suffer the ridiculing of someone who would be in her same position if it weren’t for the governor.

Anna wanted more than anything to spit out her thoughts but knew better than to do anything of the sort. Risking Evie would be selfish, and it was something she couldn’t bring herself to do. No matter how angry Izabella might have made her, betrayal was beneath her, and Anna waited patiently as the woman shuffled her petticoats.

Something large and black suddenly darted across the floor, just adjacent to the door, and Izabella immediately froze in place.

“Ah! Good God!” Izabella’s hand flew up to her chest as her jaw dropped. “What on earth is that?”

Anna glanced where Izabella pointed, her lips curving into a slight grin upon realizing what it was.

“It would appear your daughter has been building automatons again, Madam Latimer,” Anna remarked.

“But what is it?” she hissed. “Oh, my heavens!” She stepped back with a frown. “Is that a mouse?” She groaned as she pointed at the creature again. “Hurry, remove it! Ugh, what did that refinery teach her? This is not ladylike!” But, Izabella knew full well, it was the tutoring of her husband that gave rise to Evie’s menagerie of automaton animals.

Each statement found Anna hiding the smile that twitched at the edges of her lips. She bit back a chuckle. Izabella’s fear of a mouse, even a mechanical one, was just enough to soothe the pain of Anna’s position—at least for the time being.

Following her mistress’s request, Anna scooped up the mechanical creature and looked it over.

“Indeed, mistress. It is a mouse. Or maybe a rat?” Her eyes widened.

“Oh! No, please! Stomp it! Get rid of it!” Izabella turned and laid a hand on her forehead, groaning in disgust. “Whatever you do, I never wish to see the creature again.”

“I will get rid of it hastily, madam.” Anna headed toward the door.

Izabella exhaled with a sigh so loud she might have heard it from the servants’ quarters.

“Oh, I swear this house will be the death of me. God, deliver me from this world of calamity!”

Once the door closed, Anna rolled her eyes, thinking the woman knew nothing of calamity, but still smiled at Evangeline’s newest creature. Its arrival was perfect timing, and Anna wondered if there was any way Evie could have operated it from a distance. Could Evangeline be that innovative? That intelligent?

Anna took the mouse and placed it into her apron pocket, determining that she would hold onto it. How could she destroy something that brought her both a smile and peace at a moment she so sorely needed it?

How could she destroy something that was made by the hands of her sister?

More next time.

Tag: work in progress

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