I wrote this in 2006 and I thought it would be good for Christmas.

 

DFranck Portfolio | BecomeA Fan The Bird The cool morning air felt wonderful to Brown Speck as she lifted her wings. The Sun was just clearing the eastern edge of the village and dew shined like bright jewels upon the grass. Dropping to the ground and dipping her beak, she filled her crop with drop after drop of the dew. Oh the sweetness! As water was scare and hard win. So, every chance must be taken to refresh herself. Giving a happy chirp she jumped into the air and flew to the fig tree. There to feast on ripe figs and sing with others of her kind. On the desert floor, families journeyed from village to village with each family headed to the village of their birth as directed by the King of these lands. Many traveled well with fresh camels and donkeys and large tents covered them during the chill nights and small glass cups of tea refreshed them during the heat of the day. Others did not do so well as they walked step by step across the burning sands and rock and what shade they could find only lasted but a few short minutes. Water, water to drink, oh that was a treasure. By the time many reached the oasis, the water was bitter and nearly black with the foul spit of the camels. So the women carefully poured the foul mixture through layers of fine cloth in the hope of making whatever was left, drinkable. In the heat of the day, they all rested as best they could. Then moving on again as the day passed into late afternoon. Brown Speck rustled her feathers then worried a parasite from under her left wing. Throwing it into the air, she snapped it up with a flick of her beak. Looking around her, many of the others from her flock were still asleep. They would only awake as the Sun's light dimmed at end of day. Then it became a busy time as each rushed to find seeds, look for figs, and drink water from the puddle by the village well. And then maybe, finally, sing to one another. Men also moved about in the cooler warmth of the afternoon. And in the far distance, a small group of travelers could be seen unhurried, unable even to hurry. They made their way slowly down the long road to Brown Speck's village. The villagers paid little notice as a weary man lead his donkey toward them. The woman was seated on the donkey and was visibly in pain and discomfort. But, no one offered them aid, no one even cared to look at them, except to curse as they passed. The Villagers honored the King as he demanded, but they cursed the ones who had to travel to distant villages many years in their past. They cursed the foul smelling peasants that had no coin to pay the Inn Keeper's fee. Or the coppers to pay the Baker's price for fresh bread only one copper for stale bread before the pigs got it. Another copper for a handful of dates and figs of which this man shared with the woman. A clay pot gave them water from the well which had been pulled up from deep underground. At least, this water was fresh, cool, and clean and it helped to wash the desert dust from their lips. Spitting out the date seeds, the Man placed his fingers on the wide stomach of the Woman. A smile appeared as the Baby kicked once and then again. And the man bowed down and prayed that they would complete their journey before the baby made it's way into the world. Interested in the date seeds, Brown Speck flew down to the ground. Pecking at the small pieces of sweet date meat still on the drying seeds, She hopped from seed to seed, pecking here, worrying off sweet meat there. She let her interest in food foolishly guide her. No one saw the Cat as it moved slowly from behind the village well and, with a leap and a bound, it landed on Brown Speck! Razor sharp claws pulled at feathers and flesh in an instant. Brown Speck tried again and again to fly away! Pain! Pain! Fear! Fly! All raced through her in that instant and she knew that there was only a single heartbeat left to her. Then a shout and a stone startled the Cat. It bounded away as quickly as it had appeared. Feathers raining from its empty teeth. Brown Speck shuttered. Pain! Pain! Fear! Fly! A single wing answered her call. But, the other lay torn and red. Brown Speck's right wing had been laid bare by the claws of the cat. There was now no hope, no chance, and no dream of flight again. Only minutes remained before the cat returned to feast on her still beating heart. The Man who had thrown the stone just stared at the small bird as it tried again and again to make its broken wing fly. He picked up another stone and moved to finish the cat's work. But, then as he moved toward a hand came out of the darkness to stay the stone. Reaching as best she could with her wide belly, the Woman folded the bird's wings against its sides. Making cooing sounds and a warm breath it became the small bird's whole world as sizes, shapes, and smells flooded the area around it. Seeing the woman with the bird, the man shook his head and looked down at the ground. Nodding down again to make his point crystal clear. The woman's looked only at the small life within her fingers. This life needed a chance, so did her baby, they both just needed time. Sighing, the man dropped the stone and went to care for the donkey. He knew that sometimes you had to lead with your heart. Even when it was wrong. And this was one of those times as he saw it. But, as he returned, the woman had a smile on her face as she carefully dropped drops of water onto the bird's beak. Overcoming fear, Brown Speck filled her crop with this lifegiving water as she felt it slowing the rapid beating of her own heart. There was still pain and fear, but not the madness of flight. The next day's journey was a repeat of many other days. The same slow walk in the hot blinding sun. The sips of water for the woman and the donkey the smile of refusal from the man. And drop, vital drop, for the bird from the woman's hand taken from her own mouth as the man watched. It was only a bird, the man's face seemed to say, again and again, the baby as needs as well. But, the woman just smiled and placed the bird against her own beating chest and there it rested. Later, after the heat of the day, the man walked into another village. There again, another copper for stale bread, another for figs, and ..curse the King.. two coppers for a plate of spiced meat to share between them. A feast after days of bread and spoiled dates and the woman smiled and laughed as the baby made its presents known. Kicking enough to move the cloth over her belly. The man too smiled and rested his hand over the cloth. Thereby, feeling for him, the wonder of life. Brown Speck chirped as the woman fed bits of dates to her. The wing still was painful and lifeless. But the flesh had sealed out the sickness from the claw marks and the fever had started to go back down. Pecking a final bit of date, the woman's hand gave a drop of water to the bird. And then she was returned to the woman's breast. A soft beating heart in the woman's stomach matched the slow loud heartbeat of the woman. Life echoed life. As dawn came upon the land, the man and woman were again on the road. A final day of travel! And then, maybe .. rest., if only for a short while. The woman's face was pale and marked by pain the life inside her was fighting to be born. Soon. And the man prayed they would find a place for the birth. Being born on the side of the road was a matter not to be thought upon and his village was near, almost in sight. He hurried the donkey as much as he could. And moved on in the late afternoon while the heat was still molten. But, the village was finally in sight even if there were miles still to go. The bird chirped as the baby kicked. As if to say, be patient, a few hours more and you will be free. And then they could all rest in the village of its birth. The dust of the desert coated their hands and faces and the Inn Keeper looked at their threadbare robes. No gold or silver here, and no copper to be had either. The Inn Keeper shook his head and started to move away when the woman let a small sound of terrible pain cross her lips. The Inn Keeper heard the sound, as did the Inn Keeper's wife. Both looked closer at the woman upon the donkey, they saw the woman's pinched face and the stain appearing on her robes. They both nodded their heads toward a small mud hut in the back of the Inn. Then walked away. The woman smiled! Shelter, even poor shelter, was welcome news. And the man helped her down from the donkey's back and kicking together some straw and hay, the man laid his own sleeping robes over it. Then helped the woman to lie upon it. A roof of dirt and straw, how brightly it seemed to her. The walls, mud also, but firm and looking down upon her, her donkey, another, a horse, and two sheep. They were in the stables! The woman smiled for a moment before the pains stopped her. Seeing a clay bowl, the woman reached into her robes and carefully placed the injured bird within it. Brown Speck had seen many creatures born in her short life. And knew that the woman would soon bring forth the life within her. The bird remembered the eggs she had laid in her youth, how they later became young, her young. How she had given them water, and pieces of figs and dates. Seeds, bugs and flies came later to make them stronger. The desert gave life, but harshly. And nothing could be wasted. The man came to the woman with a clay bowl of fresh water and clean rugs. He washed her face and arms. Cooling her from the heat of the day. Being alone, he washed her legs and stomach as best he could. This was not a task he had done before. Sheep and goats, yes, even his donkey was born into his hands. But, never a human child. Brown Specked watch as the new life could at last be seen. A patch of flesh with brown hair. Just like her feathers, how wonderful..! Brown Speck chirped and then started to sing!! The bright clear notes seemed to ease the woman's pain so she sang louder. Making each note as long as she could! She flexed her wings and sailed into the air. So that all could hear her song of joy! Because now, Brown Speck had seen new life being born. And she knew that this life was needed upon the world. And Brown Speck flew into the night singing her song of welcome. So that all would know that he was here, at last.

 

Questions and Answers

Here is the new cover for Book 2 of A Private War: Payback is a Bitch! Murdoch's Return. This book is planned for release in 2014. What do you think?

Questions and Answers

I'm back to writing again after a period of illness that had left me weak and bedridden. But, the need to write and to create has gotten me back into my chair and good stuff is coming from my fingers. The scheduled release of Darkness Reigns, Book 2 "Go the Distance" is now scheduled for Spring 2014. Which should work out well as I hope to turn right around and start on Book 2 of "A Private War."

 

Cover for Go the Distance

 

 

It is also news nthat my wife, Francine will be taking a major part in wsriting Book 3 of Darkness from Judy's point of view. This is something that is already appearing in Book 2 as Judy reviews and 

discusses issues taking place in the compound. This book is hoped to be more of a preparations guide for life off the grid. As this something she knows well due to our real-life ednvironment.

Questions and Answers

Dr D

With the weather changing quickly, we need to ensure that all of our livestock and pets will stay warm this winter. Replace the straw in their pens with fresh to aid them in staying healthy and don't forget to clean their water tanks and bowls. For chain link dog kennels, consider plastic tarps around the sides and top to stop the cold bitting winter winds and wet snow. And use mounds of straw under and around their dog houses for insulation from the cold ground.

For us, dress in layers so that we can remove items as we work and later replace as we start to cool down. Good boots, wool knit cap, and gloves are a must in poor weather and can save your live if you break down far from home. Also, ensure your vehicle has a sleeping bag, stove, candles, and snacks for when you do get stuck out overnight as temperatures can drop well below freezing after the sun goes down.

Stay prepared and stay warm this winter season!!

Lola Dec 2012 - August 21, 2013

Questions and Answers

 The new books are now available on Amazon and a bookstore near you. Plus, the newest upcoming book, Go the Distance is already well in hand and we are looking at a Christmas 2013 release in paperback. The Kindle version will follow.

Questions and Answers


Here is the paperback cover for A Private War, should will be released within the next few days once it passes final review at the printers. This will be a worldwide release. Both books have taken a toll on me but I am exited to seen this going to print after more than 25 years on the back burner. There is just nsomething about holding something you made in your hands.

At the Pond


Well, I have been spending alot of hours getting Darkness Reigns and A Private War ready for for publishing into paperback versions. Darkness will be nearly 400 pages long and nearly 300 pages for War.

 This was created on CreateSpace cover maker and will be used for both the Kindle nebook and paperback releases next month. Pretty darn awesome!

Look for it September 1st on Amazon!!

Questions and Answers

There, 33 Chapters hot off the edit room floor and into my unofficial readers group. Fran literally yelled at me last night after I sent her my last few chapters. Forgot about the cliffhanger type ending when I had quit typing. "You stopped!! Now?!!! I wanted to see how that ended!!

Awesome!!!!!!!

See Darkness Reigns! Coming in September!!

Questions and Answers

After some considerable soul searching, I decided to reserve the last 3 days of my "A Private War" free promotion for a more advanced notice release period. I did this last night after what I thought was 3 full days but in reality was only two so some of you got shorted a book. Because of this I received some "complaining" by those who missed out on the free download. But over 300 people did get it so I felt ok in stopping early.

What every one needs to understand about these "free" promotions is that the author, and Amazon, do not receive a single dime. By giving away 300 copies, I lost out on making $2.76 per copy or approaching almost $800. So, if you missed out, I'm sorry. But, I will have another one in a few weeks with better start and end dates.

As an author, I hate giving away work that took me months of hard work to complete for zero return. But as a reader, I love these same type of promotions.
...
I hope this clears up the misunderstandings.

Don in MO

http://starlightranchsurvival.blogspot.com/

 

 

Updates


Well, it has been some time since I have posted an update and I should let you know the latest. I have been working hard on rewriting and updating my ebook, "A Private War" and I completed it last night.

 

 

 

As you can see I have new cover art and better Kindle support for the Kindle Fire and Kindle software for PC/MAC. So I hope you find it a much better read. And if so, please stop by the Kindle webpage and post an a feedback message.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZCY9YE

 

 

Your positive or negative review is badly needed to reflect the current version's status. Good or bad!!!

 

I have also come up with a  new design for my next book called "Darkness Reigns".

 

 

 

This should be  released soon but health issues have really slowed me down on this one, including a bad left shoulder that makes writing difficult. But, I hope this new series book will generate some interest as it moves closer to the release date now set for September 2013. Figers crossed on this one.

 

 

 

 

 



At the Pond!


Well, we have finlly moved completely onto the farm as the Park Model RV is now sitting up near the barn and just waiting to be placed in tis final location. Because of the rain, we are having to await a professional mover to park and block it farther into the trees.

While you cannot tell too much from this photo, the pond itself has flooded over the dam and well into the front yard. As our location received over 4 inches of rain from one storm alone. This is so different from last year with the exceptional drought.

Here is how the water looked when we first settled here and it has been a joy for all of us. The biggest change has been the size and number of fish in the waters surrounding it. We stocked two years ago with some 3-4 inch bluegills etc and catfish. They are now somewhat monsterous as noone has tried to really catch any so far. We know the Grass Carp are huge as we see their top fins running over 4 inches out of the water. The albino (white) catfish run from 18 inches to nearly 2 feet in length! Not bad for a 1/2 acre pond! And all of the fish have been spawning as we can see the fry all along the shallows. Awesome!

Communication Ideas

We live in a world criss-crossed by countless waves of energy, from cell phone microwaves, AM/FM radio stations, gigahertz satellite signals for phone/internet usage and tons of others. But as so many found after Hurricanem Sandy and the Moore, OK EF5 tornado, the cell towers and hardline connections to the outside world can disappear in a heatbeat. Thus leaving everyone shaking dead cell phones and wondering where to turn. One option is the use of ham radio relays that pop up within hours of a disaster and can be used for "health and welfare" message traffic as time permits. But in the beginning, they will be busy with emergency traffic for shelters and the movement of vital supply requests. But even today it is possible to buy a number of different base/mobile/handheld radios that don't need a license and they can reach outside the disaster area. I'm talking about CB radios like truckers use and that REACT members use during their operations to assist others in need. Also there are handheld or HTs that can be found in Wamart and countless sporting goods store, the Family Radio Service (FRS) which can reach across neighborhoods and short distances of up to 5 miles. Some contain multiple radio channels to cover a wide range of services to include GMRS and MURS what may require a simple license but which add power and range to the system. Stepping up again to ham radio, a simple test can allow you to use VHF and UHF freqs on up into the gigahertz range. One thing this does is allow users to recieve and send digtal messages using APRS and Echolink for voice messages into distant radio repeaters across the world. Some HTs have this ability already built into them and can allow anyone to reach out anywhere.

My whole point of all this is to talk about "Earl." Who or what is Earl? Well,  Earl is a thing, not a person and it has a number of features that seem ideal for people to have for everything Mother Nature can throw at us. It is similar to an early Kindle or Ipad yet has some awesome abilities as it can use hundreds of Android Apps! It has a built in GPS tracker , weather station w sensors, built-in solar charging, Bluetooth 4.0, weather proof, AM/FM/SW/LW radio receiver, and well as a built-in FRS/GMRS/MURS analog and digtal two-way radio system!

So, with all these features it should be selling soon to outdoors lovers everywhere and should be high on the list for future emergency/disaster survivors! Until June 9th, 2013 you can save 30% by senting in $249.

www.meetearl.com

In case you are wondering, I am getting nothing out of this, I just love the idea and wanted to let people know!! My money is going down on Friday!!

At the Pond!

Yesterday I recieved some good news and it had nothing to do with me! I had joined a group called "Americans Networking To Survive or A.N.T.S." which is a group of preppers who are volunteering to assist other preppers in an emergency or disaster. The organization was formed because preppers are always in an outreach mindset and ready to help other preppers, who through no fault of their own, are in need. Yes, they could help everyone else too if they are able, but that is not the point in my opinion. FEMA and local governments help everyone already with our money, but you will not normally see preppers in the bread line. Bacause they have spent their own time and money to stockpile, prepare, and survive. But what if you are many miles from home and the Sun pops an EMP and their car dies, everyone's car dies! Who will help them now? History has shown countless time that no one will help them, millions of people are going to die hard and fast. But if they knew that a colony of ANTS was in the area they could walk to a known location and leave a message asking for help. The colony checks the message drop and sents out ANT members to bring their fellow ANTS home. It may even be possible for a type of underground railroad to assist these people in getting to their own retreat location.

When a massive EF5 tornado struck Moore, OK., there were two ANTS known to be living there. So started a story of courage and determination as other members used everything available from outside the disaster to locate them. One missing ANT later checked in as ok and they in turn started searching for the other one. Dropping by the message drop location, asking around, and doing everything they could do in this terrible aftermath of destruction. Finally messages were left with family and friends and the missing member finally checked in, alive and safe!! Thank God, everyone's prayers were answered.

We sometimes forget that life can pull the ground from under for feet and literally leave you hanging by your fingertips. Moore, OK was just such a time and it was through hard work, giving of themaselves for others, that this time there ws cause for rejoycing. And knowning now that if some disastewr happens to our part of the country, that others will automatically begin to do a health and welfare check until all resources available have been tried.

Americans Networking to Survive (A.N.T.S.) join up!

http://www.americansnetworkingtosurvive.org/


 

At the Pond!

   I had talked about our perrmant move to the farm for our Park Model RV and I thought I would add a few phiotos to show where we are going to park it. The site is a nice cleared area by the barn and it is looking "park-like" after mowing the grass.



                                                                Looking East

 

 

South side lookuing West

 

 

Near Barn looking West

 

 

The grassy areas cover stumps that still need to be removed and the potholes waiting to be filled in. As time goes by the barn roof will be covered in solar panels as the Howell-Oregon electric company refuses to run lines to our area even with us bordering the county road...no profit in it!! We will install the wind generator and the battery bank by the pole barn to aid in power storage.

 

 



At The Pond!

Well, we are now gearing up to complete our move to the farm as we are going to have a tow company move our Park Model RV up by the barn. We have a beautiful location with shade trees and grass where we have much more room to grow. While we will be boondocking (i.e. no hookups) we can supply solar/battery power for most of the day and generator power for serious AC and for the freezer. And we have a cistern for water, which is very commons around here becuse of the rock base only inches below the surface that makes wells very costly.

We also were able to complete our battery bank "after" surviving a $900 car repair bill which left us weighing food over power..power won. So we now have 16 Trojan T-105 six volt and 2 Trojan T-1260 twelve volt to give us tons of lights and this is set up for 24 volts DC to our small invertor. Future upgrades will include adding two 100 Watt panel per month for the next year so that we will have over 2400 watts + 420 Watts for the current buildings. We are lucky in that we have a golf cart sales and repair shop in West Plains, MO who sells used Trojan T-105s for $30 ($20 with a core) and T-1260s for $40 ($30 with a core). Buying and moviung over 700 pounds of batteries was fun!! Fran's poor back as she got them out of the truck!



                                     Naturepower 400 Watt Wind Generator

At the Pond!

Well the health issues and rainy skies have finally passerd and we are once again enjoying life around the pond. And the dogs are impossible to keep out of the water so we just let them go!

Here is Audie and Lola running and playing in the park-like environment we have created here in the Ozarks. And except for being bedridden for two weeks with a severe blood clot in my right leg, the living here on the pond has been wonderful. Just this morning I watched two smooth shelled turtles enjoying the warm sunshine we are having today. As it is already 77 degreess down here in Missourio and it beats having to shovel snow back in Minnesota. We truely bneliueve that nearly everyone we meet here is from Minnesota as it looks and feels just like southern Minnesota around the Rochester area. Only the rocky soil gives it away as we can only raise a garden in raised beds and tubs. Still you cannot beat it!

The only down side is the snakes as Fran had a wide gleam in her eye last week when she ran over a 3 foot Cottonmouth snake that was crossing the road. Fran shot 5 of them last year alone and we fear the puppies may get bitten at any time. So we normally have handy or carry a handgun with us at all times. Its a small price to pay for heaven.

Questions and Answers

It is a great day today with light winds and 73 degrees with the sun finally shining after nearly a week of snow and rain. But I am happy to report that I am running everything off stored solar power from my twin 220 Watt 24 Volt solar panels that feed into storage batteries. Even my ham radios are powered by batteries and solar so we can reach out without burning a drop of gasoline. We are due to pick up additional batteries tomorrow to help run lights and refrigerator after dark. But we o hope to get a utility power pole put in so that we can move our Park Model RV onto the upper meadow by the barn. So we are busy busy bees right now.

Questions and Answers

Just when we thought that Spring was finally here we awoke to 9 inches of powdery snow. But instead of dreading the clean up, the retreat was transformed in a winter wonderland for the dogs and us. Everything took on a aspect of a mountainous villa as heavy flakes of snow draped the trees and grounds.

A Study in Gray and White

 

 

 

Bailey anmd Lola Enjoy the Snow

 

 



We sometimes forget the beauty in nature as we rush by in our cars with our eyes glued to the road ahead.. Or too busy talking on the phone or just sitting on the couch and watching TV. We forget to look out the window at what is going on about us and we miss the wonder of a snowfall in March

 

 

Bailey and Lola sharing a warm lap with the cat.



 



 

Questions and Answers

Each day we are faced with new problems and new situations that test our resolve. I had one of those happen today in Wal-Mart. I was using one of the last working electric carts when I wanted to go look at the videos but a couple and their son were blocking the lane. I waited and waited some more until I said "excuse me...excuse me" and the son moved out of the way. I moved by and told the son, thank you..and then softer, "thank you" as the son did what a good and decent person would do. But, unknown to me, the man said something under his breathe.."then stand up and walk around.." I was lucky, I didn't hear it.but Fran did. She said, "that was just rude. Is that how you treat a veteran?"

I did hear that remark and I asked Fran was happened. But, knowing me as well as she does, she refused to repeat it. Only well away from that couple did she say what she had heard. Later while she was pumping gas into the truck did it really hit me. My eyes filled with tears as the physical hardships I live with every damn day just slapped me right in the face. I feel NOTHING from my hips down. I struggle to stand and just grab whatever I can so as not to fall down..hard. I would do ANYTHING to feel my legs again. I would anything to not feel the brutal phatom pain that leaves me breathless. Every day, every day for weeks and months without end.


That person was like a knife into my soul and makes life slightly less bright.

Questions and Answers

The new book Darkness Reigns has been removed to free up screen space and will be placed as a file download instead. Now that spring is only weeks away we are seriously gearing up for the final move to the farm. Starting next week we will be first be spending the day there and temperatures permitting, the night as well. We have a number of plans that will be starting as soon as the ground warms up. Also, we will be breaking new ground by starting a small aquaponics ie fish and veggies in a combined setup. By using salvaged 275 gallon totes or tanks we can raise fresh fish in the tank we then pump the same water through plant beds above. In addition, we will add more depth to our raised bed and water them using solar powered 12 V water pumps to pump water from the pond. No more 5 gallon buckets!!!!!!!! This will also be used to water the fruit trees and berry bushes that are currently in containers.

So, we are finally going to be living our dream!