tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76332656280546199282024-02-22T16:42:35.367+00:00Broken TrailsRayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.comBlogger443125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-84666891531533145762020-11-02T18:06:00.000+00:002020-11-02T18:06:40.550+00:00Lockdown 2: Eat Less For MoreI love cooking.
First I'm going to sing the praises of London's 'Sam's Restaurant' purely because they made a highlight of something that I love. Steak and kidney on toast - toast and dripping that is. Anyone who can promote toast and dripping can do no wrong. Back in time, the early 1950's, when rationing was on the idea of steak and kidney - well it would have been scarce. A cube of steak and a kidney halved on toast and dripping went down well.
The most essential ingredient of dripping is the jelly for that is the goodness.
Today I still make pork, chicken or turkey dripping.
I find most TV cooks make a meal and then taste it with a comment of self satisfaction.
Though some make me laugh as they admit that they did not know that a kipper was a herring or that making your own apple or mint sauce is cheaper than shop bought.
Bring back the days of Philip Harbon and Fanny Craddock who taught us how to cook. And our grandparents who taught us the rest.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-83512960269144175662020-10-26T12:17:00.000+00:002020-10-26T12:17:08.119+00:00LOCKDOWN: 1. Good Times and Bad OnesMarch 2020 should have been good times. A time for the family to get together and enjoy the good times. My wife and I were going to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary but the lockdown put that out of the question.
Had we listened to all the 'woe is...' attitude back in 1970 we wouldn't have lasted 50 days, weeks or months let alone years. The thing was that we were chalk and cheese therefore we knew what we were doing. If you know each other then you know about how strenghts and weakness work together.
Lockdown was something that neither of us expected to last - still we topped up the food cupboard and fridge freezer to prepare for a seige. Time to catch up with reading and binge on boxsets but after a while it becomes a drag. I think that I got rid of six carrier bags full of books and dvds plus 2 containing CDs.
.
The kitchen has become my domain. The wife is in isolation so all the household chores fall to me.
Seemed like a good time to clear out the stuff that was crammed into cupboards that were surplus to requirements.
However with the passage of time comes the dark clouds for all there is are four walls that close in. Depression with anxiety creep up until I found myself in an armchair enveloped by lethargic sleep. No space for exercise that doing a trip to the loo is a slow walk to nowhere new. The thought of going to the shops are daunting for me and magical for the young.
Depression is hell - until....I looked in the mirror and saw the length of my hair and the shaggy beard that hid most of my face. What, I wondered had happened to me? The kichen sink was piled with plates and cups for it had been easier to use clean rather than wash up.
October 2020 - we are still in lockdown but I am writing this. The beard is trimmed, the kitchen sink is empty and the surfaces have been cleared of clutter. My mind is aware of the lethargy lurking in the background but I have to wake up each day with a determination to become positive again. Oh, yes and the consoles are dusted off - better to escape than dwell within the enclosed four walls.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-40366756632416610812019-07-12T15:36:00.000+01:002019-07-12T19:31:04.656+01:00COLETTE: YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME by Abigail Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhEECHDy0hIpyyvhu_Nnk8aN0B5vPXC4LufLVfozG4wLieJSTj8aWzghBahF5gLPdEJAwBi4OwVNJsvrc-uRl-LXNPNMKxhf996Zgei5zqNoo5Ov9Dolnupu76KlWrgkkICwGj2A2kcTp/s1600/colette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhEECHDy0hIpyyvhu_Nnk8aN0B5vPXC4LufLVfozG4wLieJSTj8aWzghBahF5gLPdEJAwBi4OwVNJsvrc-uRl-LXNPNMKxhf996Zgei5zqNoo5Ov9Dolnupu76KlWrgkkICwGj2A2kcTp/s320/colette.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
Having grown up during the 1960s this book had a certain appeal - after all it came with it's own soundtrack. And a subject that I could relate to but not in the way that you might think.<br />
<br />
In 1961 I was 16 years of age when something reared it's head - something that you would think that, in this day and age, was new. Well, there's nothing new under the sun. Back then a newspaper 'outed' the model and actress April Ashley as transgender. She had been born a man who had served in the Merchant Navy but had undergone traumatic sex reassignment surgery. Despite this the law stated that she was still a man.<br />
<br />
Transgender facts were hard to come by in those days yet the fact that a man (or a woman for that matter) could feel that they were born in the wrong body was not that hard to figure out.<br />
<br />
This book was mentioned in the Felixstowe Scribblers' newsletter. Though it wasn't my usual type of reading I was soon out of my comfort zone.<br />
<br />
Colette centres around a 19 year old boat builder called Colin who is offered a 'dream' job on Guernsey and soon becomes involved with Leanne (one of the owners) who draws out the real person that he is - Colette. Emotions run deep as there is conflict with others as well as within herself - acceptance comes from within not just the reactions of others.<br />
<br />
The book is well written and flows easily carrying the reader through Colette's eventual emergence and belief in herself.<br />
<br />
However, it is carries the label of an 'emotional transgender' story which it is but (my opinion) is a touch off putting. Reality is boy meets girl, girl meets boy and another boy, etc etc. In other words a romantic novel with underlying tones.<br />
<br />
What's not to like?<br />
<br />
Thanks to my youth I discovered that this book read like a good old fashioned novel. And roll on the sequel which is due about Christmastime<br />
<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-59465573530985488062019-01-20T17:25:00.000+00:002019-01-20T17:25:17.693+00:00GRUM REAPUR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvYncOzlzw3hk_l3f3dL8Qtr0L1x_QNHxwIQg7oK0KmH2AXkC1XC2TtxrMbIv_Qvo4bM-x_lVpQQTYKxhCPXE0_KXLt4EMuZ4In-WhJSIy2xO2Ax7cUvhnoo426P1ldc-bh7tOlTc3Ozm/s1600/blackened%252Bhaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvYncOzlzw3hk_l3f3dL8Qtr0L1x_QNHxwIQg7oK0KmH2AXkC1XC2TtxrMbIv_Qvo4bM-x_lVpQQTYKxhCPXE0_KXLt4EMuZ4In-WhJSIy2xO2Ax7cUvhnoo426P1ldc-bh7tOlTc3Ozm/s320/blackened%252Bhaze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Grum Reapur is about saving lives.<br />
<br />
These sculptures come from the imagination of anti- suicide artist Brad Humble himself a suicide survivor and mental health activist.<br />
<br />
After years of being considered a 'freak' he was diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). The long journey of self-discovery unleashed the inner artist within and the Grum Reapur was born.<br />
<br />
This talented artist has a gallery of his paintings on show; he is,also, a writer and poet. Currently, he is working on a Grum Reapur comic.<br />
<br />
I am flattered that he asked me advice about writing but after reading some of his work I do believe that he has taught me a thing or two.<br />
<br />
Brad Humble has a website www.grumreapur.com that contains a blog and a gallery of his art and a shop for his pieces. There is a Facebook page 'Grum Reapur Club' that is also a support group.<br />
<br />
I leave you with these words from Brad Humble: ' I don't have definitive answers and I may get it wrong from time to time, but I will always trying my hardest to help individuals and the collectives,<br />
that is why I donate a percentage of my annual income from the Grum Reapur to mental health charities and organisations throughout the U.K.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-73419957246740504942018-12-14T23:11:00.000+00:002018-12-14T23:11:05.167+00:00AN ENGLISH ESSAY ON 'THE HUNGER GAMES'<br />
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How Might The Government Be Described As ‘Oppressive’ In the
Hunger Games.</div>
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In this piece of writing, I will be comparing the
governments in reality and In the Hunger Games to answer the question: How
might the government in the Hunger Games be described as ‘oppressive’ in the
hunger games?</div>
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To begin with pointing out the obvious, the government of
The Hunger Games make teenagers from each district fight one another to the
death. <span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The reason that
the Hunger Games are held every year is so the districts know that the Capitol
is "the one". The reason there are Hunger Games is because the
districts did not like the way the Capitol was running things, so they started
a rebellion. They caused a lot of trouble, but eventually the Capitol took over
again. To prevent another rebellion, they have the Hunger Games. It is to show
the people how strong the Capitol is and that they actually can kill everyone
if they want to-since they are letting kids from 12-18 die. They just want the
people to understand that they are still in charge and make them pay for what
they did. To make the idea seem more ‘fun’, this became a reality TV show, so
everyone could watch the children murder each other shamelessly for their own
entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whereas
in reality, all of this is illegal and some sort of ‘show’ that related to this
in any way would be banned and the directors are likely to be arrested. Any
rebels in reality are likely to be arrested, and being imprisoned means they
will not make the same mistake – or at least not until they are released. If
so, the rebels will probably be arrested again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another
oppressive measure of the Hunger Games government is keeping food supplies
scarce, so citizens are always hungry and scared. This is probably another
punishment against the rebellions. Again, in reality, this would be an unlikely
idea. However, our government does raise the prices of food and other supplies,
meaning money and food might be scarce for those short of money, creating a
similarity between the two governments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Capitol has ‘Peacekeepers’ to enforce the law – not police. These Peacekeepers
are dressed in white armor, most likely dressed appropriately for another<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>rebellion. In the book ‘The Hunger
Games’, Katniss Everdeen (the main character) says,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Most
Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to the few of us who hunt because they’re as
hungry for fresh meat as anybody is”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
shows how Peacekeepers don’t seem as harsh as our police today, and they will
let the little things be committed because they understand how the few who hunt
feel, and probably get some of the meat that is hunted down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another
detail about the Peacekeepers is very important: In the Hunger Games – Catching
Fire, they brutally attack Cinna and drag him away before Katniss’s very eyes.
This is something one of our police will not perform unless the criminal uses a
weapon against them, or if they fight back. Which is something I doubt Cinna
would do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Contrary
to this, our police men and women are very strict with law, and will not let
these little things slip because they are not as deprived as the people who
live in Panem. They have a big salary, and basically work with the government
to control the law and keep things in order. Any crime committed will result in
an arrest until the prisoners release date. Police today are much better than
peacekeepers, who, again, will not brutally attack any criminals unless it is
severely needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To
conclude, with all the evidence gathered, I think that the government in The
Hunger Games might be described as ‘oppressive’ because of one rebellion that
they want to prevent from happening again by making innocent children brutally
murder each other, by keeping food supplies scarce, so that citizens are always
hungry and scared; and having ‘Peacekeepers’ enforce the law. All of which can
come across as oppressive acts.<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">* * * * * * * *</span></div>
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<span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hide: all;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""
style='width:24pt;height:24pt'/><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="32" src="file:///C:/Users/Sandy/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="32" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hide: all;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katniss<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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I did not write this - it is the work of another of my granddaughters. Megan Withers is the author here and the piece was written about two years ago when she was about 15 years old. </div>
<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-47224028240113552812018-07-31T23:34:00.001+01:002018-07-31T23:34:49.559+01:00THE DARNELL SAGA - Chapter 24<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chapter
24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nemesis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ray
Foster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Major Steve Sullivan leaned back in his
chair his eyes drifting from the scruffy individual sitting on the edge of his
desk to the crestfallen face of the young man seated on a camp stool to the
front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, Tim, what an unexpected pleasure,”
the unkempt man said, lowering himself from his perch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mister Devlin,” Tim Schendel acknowledged
without raising his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two know each other?” Sullivan asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devlin nodded: “You could say that. Young
Tim there has been in and out of trouble that he’s bloody lucky not to see the
inside of a prison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kyle Devlin had been an English policeman
who had served, on loan from the London force, with the New York Metropolitan
Police. Now he had been seconded to the Union Army tasked with upholding the
law and dealing with deserters in garrison towns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, Tim, this time you are in serious
trouble,” Devlin pointed out. “You’re listed as a deserter and, by rights, you
should be stood in front of a firing squad. However, you just done something
that, to my knowledge, no other deserter has – you bloody well surrendered.
Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ever since he had seen the burnt out house Tim had feared the worst. He
had chosen not to ride in closer as he did not want to see Sam’s charred corpse
amongst the ruins. It was as though his life had ended and guilt flooded
through him. The least he could do was to clear her name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having rehearsed what he would say in his
mind the last person he thought he would be confessing to was Kyle Devlin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking a deep breath he recounted
everything that had occurred from the discovery of the broken down wagon to the
point where he had encouraged Sam to desert with him. Every so often both Kyle
and Sullivan would probe for a little more detail until they had a full
picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right – you’re telling us that Graydon
knew that Corporal Darnell was, in fact, a girl?” Kyle pressed, thoughtfully.
“Despite that you claim that he was going to declare her as a deserter. For
what reason, do you suppose? There are no women serving in this army.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim shook his head: “He asked me if I
knew and I said that I didn’t. He just grinned and said that when we caught her
we could have some fun with her first. I couldn’t let him do that – so I got
Sam out of there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After almost an hour of intense
interrogation Tim was thoroughly drained. Nervously, he glanced up as Devlin
strode by him and summoned the guard detail. First, he ordered the Corporal in
charge to take Tim to the infirmary for the old wound to be checked. Then to
the Quartermaster to have Trooper Schendel re-equipped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only when everyone had gone did Sullivan
pour himself a glass of bourbon and light up a cigar. He focused on a streamer
of smoke floating ghostlike across the room before expressing his feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know what you’re thinking,”
Sullivan stated. “But Canada is out. We have no jurisdiction.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I can’t let those Darnell boys get
away,” Devlin shrugged. “They killed that Government agent and claimed that he
was a deserter. It could have been a case of mistaken identity except there’s a
matter of a missing money belt and five thousand dollars. Nor is that the only
robbery linked to the Darnells.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If the girl’s alive,” Sullivan,
emphasizing each word with a stab of the cigar, was quick to point out. “She’ll
side with her brothers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devlin was well aware that was a
possibility just as the skeptic in him felt that the burning of the Maybelle
house was just a ruse to throw pursuers off the scent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s where young Tim comes in,” Devlin
explained. “Hopefully, giving Sam the news that she is in the clear the whole
family will come back. Even so, Tim will still be a deserter because he did the
right thing the wrong way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a while for all the factors to
sink in before Sullivan burst out laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re one devious bastard, Kyle
Devlin,” he nodded. “Schendel is bait – except you are about to recruit him and
give him legitimism. He’s going to love you when he discovers that he’s a
policeman.” Before adding on a serious note. “There’s still the question of
Graydon. Have you thought about what could happen if he and Schendel run into
each other?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Graydon isn’t going after a deserter,”
Devlin was quick to point out. “He’s chasing down a woman – ergo he has
deserted his post and that makes him fair game.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living on the rough streets of New York had
taught Tim many things – the most important was knowing who your friends were.
Sure Officer Kyle Devlin was his nemesis but the policeman had always been
fair. With this in mind he had known that there would come a day when Devlin
would not be able to help him so Tim had escaped from New York’s stranglehold. He
had to smile at his current predicament and who was there? Devlin. And now they
were heading to Canada together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know we’re being watched,” Tim
mentioned while fixing his saddle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devlin nodded for he had been conscious of
the lurker half-hidden in the shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Doesn’t leave you does it,” Devlin grinned
as he mounted up. “The stuff that keeps you alive on the streets just doesn’t
go – life depends on those instincts. You either become a criminal or -.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got the message,” Tim shook his head in
amusement. “You were going to say policeman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devlin just nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just so that you know,” Devlin advised
throwing Tim a meaningful look. “You’re off the deserter’s list – for now. But
you are under my command and I have to be alive for that to be permanent. In
the meantime we’ll need to watch our backs because I’m a bit suspicious about
that Sergeant’s interest in us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-6404949900914224382018-03-24T13:14:00.001+00:002018-03-24T17:55:05.985+00:00JAMES GUNN: 1 THE DEADLY STRANGER by John DelaneyJames Gunn is sitting outside a Cumberland pub admiring the local scenery of the English countryside when his conversation with his friend is interrupted. An angry young farmer bears down on the protagonist with a promise to stick him with a pitchfork unless Gunn marries his pregnant sister. In the fight that follows the young farmer falls awkwardly, breaks his neck and dies.<br />
<br />
In no time at all Gunn heads for Liverpool and arrives in Boston. Here Gunn discovers that he is well out of his depth - a stranger in a strange land. Pick pockets, thieves and con-men wait for unexpecting victims and it is not long before Gunn loses everything. Outnumbered in a bar room brawl he wakes up aboard a wagon driven by Art Thackeray. Paid to dump Gunn in the middle of nowhere Thackery proves to be Gunn's saviour.<br />
<br />
Taught how to use a gun and bullwhip things look good for the pair to go into business together but fate intervenes and Gunn finds himself adrift in the Army town of Fort Wayne. It doesn't take long for him to fall foul of the local bully and he is on the run again.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, there is a job up for grabs - guiding a wagon train to California. This takes up the second half of the book and is fraught with it's own dangers with Pawnees on the rampage and a crooked cabal who do not intend the train to arrive at the final destination.<br />
<br />
There is something about Gunn's character that shows that he is on a learning curve - his naivety of the west shows through but he learns from his mistakes.<br />
<br />
The James Gunn series last for 6 books. The first appeared in 1976 by MEWS a New English Library imprint though the final two (neither of which are numbered) were published by NEL. This was in the middle of The Piccadilly Cowboys era but author John Delaney does not appear to be one of them. In fact there does not seem to be any info on this author.<br />
<br />
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-10211676126672141372018-03-21T23:17:00.000+00:002018-03-24T18:08:55.578+00:00THE FEUD by Amelia Bean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
'The Feud' tells the story of the Graham-Tewkesbury war that took place in Arizona's Tonto Basin in the 1880s. It follows Edwin 'Breed' Tewkesbury who was the last man standing.<br />
<br />
The story opens with the death of Edwin's sister, Josie who was married to George Graham. Edwin finds his sister emaciated and struggling to keep her new born baby alive. As her brother tries to help her she dies in his arms but not before she has told him what was going on. Edwin and Josie are half-breeds - their mother was an Apache who died shortly after her daughter was born. Josie's son showed more of his Native American side than the white side. After Edwin has buried his sister George Graham turns up - and lies about how long he has been away. When told that he is a liar George goes for his gun - only Edwin moves faster and takes George Graham down to ground level and strangles him with his own bare hands. He, then, drags the body into the house and sets it alight.<br />
<br />
Although there are suspicions and accusations rife there is no proof that George Graham was murdered but it is there smouldering beneath the surface. All it would take was one spark to reignite the need for a vendetta.<br />
<br />
One thing that would never be tolerated in cattle country was the introduction of sheep - and that was what the Tewkesbury clan did. It became a bloody battle that was destined to destroy both families and leave Edwin Tewkesbury as the sole male survivor.<br />
<br />
Amelia Bean drew on historical references in order to write this fictional account. Her inspiration came from a magazine article by William MacLeod Raine who confessed that he had not been anywhere near where the events had taken place. In 1957 Amelia did visit the site of the feud to the point that she stood on the very spot where Sheriff Mulvenon took down Charley Blevins and Jack Graham with his shotgun. However, she discovered that the whole story was still hotly disputed and the subject of rumour and controversy.<br />
<br />
Not much is known about (Myrtle) Amelia Bean except that she was born in Utah, educated in Salt Lake City and lived in California with her husband and son. Between 1957 and 1967 she wrote three books - the first was 'The Vengeance Trail' (U.S. title 'The Fancher Train') and the last 'A Time Of Outrage' about the Lincoln County War - with 'The Feud' in the middle.<br />
<br />
Apart from this book I haven't read anything about this feud - but Zane Grey used the back story for his novel 'To The Last Man' but changed the names. It was filmed with Randolph Scott. In 1992 there was a 'Gunsmoke' movie, also, called 'To The Last Man' where Matt Dillon gets involved in the feud.<br />
Tabor Evans 'Longarm' gets involved in the feud ( Longarm and the Pleasant Valley War). Another novel that references the Tewkesbury - Graham war is Chuck Tyrell's 'Revenge At Wolf Mountain'.<br />
<br />
'The Feud' was the first western that I had read that had been written by a female western writer. Although there is a 'romantic interest' in the story that involves Edwin and his step-sister, Stella it does not intrude into the main thrust of the book.<br />
<br />
Edwin Tewkesbury became the deputy sheriff of Gila County, Arizona and died in 1902. He was survived by his wife and four children.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-8470145069734907882018-03-19T23:10:00.002+00:002018-03-19T23:10:44.124+00:0052 WEEKS. 52 WESTERN NOVELS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Authors Paul Bishop and Scott Harris have put together a magnificent spectrum of the Western novels that span over a century from Owen Wister's 1902 novel 'The Virginian' to the 2015 Mickey Spillane/Max Allan Collins 'The Legend Of Caleb York'. All the usual classics are there like 'Shane', 'The Searchers' and 'The Big Country' as are writers Frank Gruber the man behind the tv series 'Tales Of Wells Fargo' riding the trail with Louis L'Amour, Clair Huffaker and Elmore Leonard.<br />
<br />
This is not a book of lists - that is not what this book is about. Each book is summarized in a way that makes the reader hungry for more. 'I want to read that book'. Added to this is that there are author bios; facts about or behind the books that they wrote.<br />
<br />
What comes across from the editors and the various contributors is the enthusiasm and, dare I say, the love of the western genre.<br />
<br />
Every so often there are double page spreads of tv series, movies, a tribute to Louis L'Amour and John Benteen's 'Fargo' series - another spread tips the hat to The Piccadilly Cowboys and the Adult Westerns.<br />
<br />
As the blurb on the back of the books says the legend of the wild west comes alive within these pages.<br />
<br />
Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-89553166229123829842018-03-19T14:02:00.001+00:002018-03-19T14:02:14.926+00:00WRITING THE WEST - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The 1960s saw changes emerging in the way movies depicted the west.<br />
No way could you imagine the likes of John Wayne or James Stewart taking six gunfighters across the border to defend a small Mexican village. Lee Marvin could have but Yul Brynner got the role of the cold, businesslike Chris. 'The Magnificent Seven' became an instant classic - and much quoted in Western novels like John J McLaglen's 'Herne The Hunter' series.<br />
<br />
Next on the scene was a scruffy, bristle faced, poncho wearing 'hero'. Took a bit of getting used to seeing how 'Rawhide's' Rowdy Yates had let himself go - but Clint Eastwood along with Italian film director Sergio Leone took the western down new trails and in the process another classic was born with 'The Good, The Bad And The Ugly'. Leone's films were inspirational with his own 'Once Upon A Time In The West'. Franco Nero as 'Django' - and Lee Van Cleef was making a name for himself.<br />
<br />
Nor were the British far behind with Robert Shaw riding into 'A Town Called Hell' and Raquel Welch looking for vengeance in 'Hannie Caulder'.<br />
<br />
While new stars were rising the old breed were dying. Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott went to Ride The High Country for one last time. While The Wild Bunch were gunned down in a bloody gore fest that divided the fans.<br />
<br />
If there were changes in the cinema so it was echoed in the books we read.<br />
In 1972 New English Library introduced a new breed of hero in the shape of a man called 'Edge' created by George G. Gilman. Edge broke the mold and new heroes followed in his wake.<br />
<br />
I must have been slow in catching up because I didn't start reading Edge until 1979. How do I know this? Because the first two books have an inscription - ' To Daddy - Christmas '78'. My two eldest daughters gave me one each and lit a fuse.<br />
<br />
No one can quite be sure when it happened but I picked up a second hand typewriter and started writing a western. Just tapped away putting words on to yellow quarto sized paper and 'Poseidon Smith' was born. So, too, was Pad MaGhee who followed in Poseidon's footsteps. I put the books into a folder and put them in a box - I had proved to myself that I could write a western - or two.<br />
<br />
1980: My mother-in-law, who worked in the local newsagents, mentioned that there was a new Western magazine coming out and would I like a copy? Sounded like a good idea at the time and it was a good job that it was. Over the next four months I discovered that George G Gilman, J.T.Edson, Neil Hunter and most of the other western writers that I had been reading were British.<br />
That Christmas my wife, Sandra, bought me some Avon aftershave in a bottle shaped like a Pepperpot pistol.<br />
<br />
The Pepperpot pistol sat beside the typewriter as I re-wrote 'Poseidon Smith:Vengeance Is Mine'. The ms went to all the paperback publishers and came back with praiseworthy rejections. In the end I wrote to George G Gilman for advice - his reply was a suggestion that I send the book to Robert Hale.<br />
<br />
After having to lose 5,000 words - Poseidon Smith (armed with a Pepperpot pistol) was published. Though not under my own name. The day that I completed the final draft my father in law died - the book had to be put to one side. Five days later tragedy struck again when my own father died. Later, when I returned the ms to Hale the author's name had changed to Jack Giles (named for two fathers who loved their westerns).<br />
<br />
None of this would have happened has it not been for a well spent childhood. I guess it is just that childhood never ends - and that together with a love for a genre that is supposed to be on it's last legs we want to keep it alive.<br />
<br />
When I write a western a gun sits alongside the keyboard - the kid won't have it otherwise.<br />
<br />
The story of Poseidon Smith could not be written without the help of my family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-51374560131586416222018-03-18T18:59:00.002+00:002018-03-18T18:59:42.723+00:00WRITING THE WEST - Part 2Childhood is the most formative time of our lives.<br />
In this day and age it is difficult to imagine a wild bunch of five year old kids running riot without a 'responsible' adult in sight. It is how we grew up and in doing so educated ourselves.<br />
<br />
Along with 'life skills' I loved reading and writing - my mum had taught me how before I got to school. By the time I was eight I was reading books like Patrick Reid's 'The Colditz Story'. Although I could write it was down to the books that I read that taught me about structure.<br />
<br />
Of all things it was writing that had me outside the various headmaster's office. Very often for the same offence - and my poor parents took the brunt of it.<br />
<br />
As told in Part 1 - a western had my influences questioned. The next time occurred just after we moved to Kent. The subject was on parents and home life - but this 9 year old didn't fancy the guidelines. Instead I used a different life - one that I knew well. Friday nights outside a certain pub in Finchley you would find children sitting outside with crisps and glasses of lemonade. For most it was what it was - a night out with friends and family - for others there was another side. Two brothers would have to steer a dead drunk father home. Another would wait for a mother to decide which 'uncle' would take her home. Their sadness and resignation told the story for they would be happier when Monday came and they were back with the rest of us. I wrote about them and it must have been a convincing piece because the head read my parents the riot act. When the truth was revealed the head lectured me on responsibility and respect.<br />
<br />
My parents would make return visits - at least they were better prepared.<br />
<br />
I loved writing but could never stick to the brief. Teachers didn't know how to mark my work but by sheer luck I was always in the top three in English. As I was leaving school my final English master took me to one side and told me that I should never stop writing.<br />
<br />
Wanting to be a writer was one thing - at 17 I tried my hand at writing a book but there was a competitive market and I was too young. The second novel - well less said the better (or rather all said before).<br />
<br />
What did I really want to write?<br />
A Western - my life evolved more around the books and movies.<br />
I firmly believed that only Americans wrote westerns - sure there were exceptions like the British writer Oliver Strange - but it didn't stop me from toying with ideas.<br />
<br />
Christmas 1978 came with a couple of pressies that would change the whole scene. Was it possible that dreams could come true?<br />
<br />
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-38053338805809291522018-03-17T20:29:00.001+00:002018-03-17T20:29:20.101+00:00WRITING THE WEST - PART 1History belongs to a country yet the wild west defies boundaries.<br />
In a recent interview with Paul Bishop (one of the editors behind '52 Weeks. 52 Western Novels') I was asked about my early influences. Was it books or movies? In fact, none of those.<br />
I was born in the wild west, not that I really grasped it at the time.<br />
<br />
The wild west was The Sandpits - a park in North Finchley (North London). Flat grassland flanked by trees that led down to a slight mound then swept down into a bog and a pond. Though, in a child's eye - a swamp and a lake. Eventually, a stockade would be built on the mound with a 'Wendy house' for girls. Though it doubled as a ranch house.<br />
<br />
In 1950 - and for some this may be hard to imagine - a wild bunch of five to seven year olds would troop off to the park where chases and gunfights would ensue. The older kids had cowboy hats and pistols - we five year olds had to content ourselves with sticks. At the end of the day we would amble home tired and dirty. That was our introduction to the Wild West - we were born to be gunslingers. The early influences were our peers who had learned things from scratch.<br />
<br />
As a six year old I was old enough to head down to the Odeon cinema to go to the Saturday morning pictures. For sixpence you got a cartoon, a serial (Flash Gordon; Rocket Man) and a movie - Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers and very early John Wayne. The western had come alive - as kids with sticks we had chased down rustlers - and there on the big screen were men doing just what we did. That Christmas I got a stetson, a pair of holsters and a vest (the latter made by my mum) and two silver Chad Valley cap-firing pistols. It was like being given a rite of passage. I was one of the big kids.<br />
<br />
Then Tex Ritter came to Haringey Arena. It was the most thrilling day of my life - I was so excited and speechless all at the same time. Roping steers; bucking broncos - a pure feast of all things western. The finale was wild as a stagecoach was attacked by a bunch of Indians and it looked daunting until Tex Ritter and the Cavalry turned up to save the day.<br />
<br />
The Queen's Coronation bought something new into our lives - a black and white television and with it came 'The Cisco Kid', 'The Range Rider' and 'The Lone Ranger'. I just could not get enough. Along with tv came comics - Kid Colt and Ghost Rider (early Marvel I believe). These new American comics were branded as bad influences - too violent for young children who watched the equivalent or listened to 'Jeff Arnold' on the radio or read his strip in the 'Eagle' comic.<br />
<br />
In fact writing a short western story at school had the head drag my mum and dad into his office wondering about my influences. Nor would this be the last time that my parents would be held to account for the things that I wrote.<br />
<br />
I was about fifteen when I finally hung up my guns. I mean my collection of cap guns - I had been reluctant to part with them but then it is never easy to surrender a child hood. The event that caused this was with a real Colt .45. I had joined the Air Training Corp where I was assigned to the Guard Of Honour. We drilled with Lee Enfield rifles armed with blank rounds - but when on duty they were not. To cut a long story short - we went down to a firing range and I discovered that I was pretty accurate. I don't know the how or the why but I hit what I aimed at. To use someone else's quote 'I know how to use a gun - I just don't have a need for one'. So the kid hung up the toy guns and quit the A.T.C.<br />
<br />
It was far easier to let the celluloid stars do the gunfighting - or read the likes of Frank C. Robertson, Luke Short, Louis L'Amour to keep me enjoying my favourite genre. As for writing - that was best left to the Americans.<br />
<br />
Only things were going to change - and I discovered a different use for a gun.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-5013661129724364312017-05-12T15:46:00.001+01:002017-05-12T15:46:48.551+01:00CODENAME GABY by Nik Morton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Once in a while a book turns up that takes me back to the past.<br />
<br />
Reading Nik Morton's afterword is just like that as he mentions influences and books that he read back in his youth.<br />
<br />
The title story 'Codename Gaby' harks back to the likes of Odette Churchill. 'Carve Her Name With Pride' and 'Moondrop To Gascony' with the female agents who were trained and dropped into France to work with the resistance. Many did not survive - while of those who did nothing has been known about their exploits until they died in old age.<br />
<br />
Another story in this collection 'The Reckoning' is set against the backdrop of the English Civil War. This tale is inspired by The Laughing (or Gay) Cavalier Claude Duval. Drawn by Frederick T. Holmes between 1953 and 1959 for 'Comet' comic before Duval appeared in his own comic as part of Thriller Picture Library.<br />
<br />
The magic of 'The Proper Thing To Do' is that it was the type of story that turned up in the written word comics of the late 50s like 'Adventure', 'Wizard' etc. The story deals with the heroism aboard the ill-fated troopship 'H.M.S. Birkenhead' and the birth of 'women and children first'. It is told in present tense and first person which carries the strength of the story.<br />
<br />
Although I have picked on my three favourite stories - there are many others that would have sat well within those nostalgic years. Despite that every story in this collection brings it's own resonance - some that make you stop and think. This is just good, solid storytelling at it's best.<br />
<br />
This collection is available on Kindle or paperback versions.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-84584069216300051582017-04-23T00:35:00.000+01:002017-04-23T00:35:25.614+01:00A FORTUNE FOR WAR by Ryker FrostThis is a Black Horse Western from 1988<br />
<br />
Providence Ryan is a farrier by trade from the English county of Hereford but has spent several years in Australia as a convict. Having served his time for housebreaking he has worked his passage to America and is in the process of crossing the continent intending to return home.<br />
<br />
Arriving amongst the silver mines of New Town looking for work either for food and lodging or the means to pay for them he bumps into the colourful gambler Ezra G Sheldon who, on hearing Ryan's quest, mentions that he knows of a woman who is desperate for a man.<br />
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The woman in question is Anne-Marie Bouchette who's freight wagons of pure silver ore are trapped in a warehouse. With the drivers scared off by unknown forces and the local sheriff and his deputies she needs to find someone who will stand up to them. Trouble is that the law are Confederate soldiers waiting for wagons to take the ore east to fund the Southern cause.<br />
<br />
Anne-Marie (real name Ann Mary Butcher) is, also, the local brothel owner. She grew up in Whitechapel in London's East End who, in order to survive, became a prostitute. Seeing a future abroad she arrived in New Orleans via New York. Now she owned her own business and sworn off mixing business with pleasure.<br />
<br />
From the moment that they meet there is chemistry between Ryan and Anne-Marie and sparks fly.<br />
<br />
Despite his misgivings - Ryan agrees to help even though it means that he has to learn how to use a gun on the job.<br />
<br />
In the background there are others with their own agendas the threads of which all come together in the finale.<br />
<br />
This is a very British western that concentrates on the lead characters without distracting from the plot.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-43229746449272765612017-04-08T16:48:00.000+01:002017-04-08T16:48:15.839+01:00LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG"I want to live fast, die young and leave a beautiful corpse."<br />
<br />
You could say that Nick Romano's words from 'Knock On Any Door' was the motto of my generation. Today you can pick up T-shirts with variations of that theme emblazoned across them. Nothing changes.<br />
<br />
At least they kept that line in the movie.<br />
<br />
'Knock On Any Door' was first published in 1947 by Willard Motley (1909 - 1964) a Chicago born writer. The novel concerns an Italian-American altar boy, Nick Romano, who because of poverty turns to crime.<br />
<br />
I didn't discover that book until late into the sixties - maybe, shortly after Willard Motley's death when a re-print emerged.<br />
<br />
My introduction to Willard Motley was through the sequel 'Let No Man Write My Epitaph' (also made into a move with Ella Fitzgerald singing the title song). It was published in 1958 but the Pan paperback version did not come out until 1960.<br />
<br />
Again the main character is Nick Romano - though this time around it is Nick junior. Nick wants to become a painter but has to care for his drug addicted mother. He is fighting a losing battle because his mother's drug dealer boyfriend is feeding her habit. Nor is it long before Nick is dragged into the spider's web and has to find away to claw his way out again.<br />
<br />
The biggest criticism of Willard Motley was that he was a middle-class afro-american who chose to write about low class white people. Actually, who cares what he was? The fact remains that the two Romano books are tough and smack of realism. It is about human life after all.<br />
<br />
1960 also saw the publication (again by Pan) of Nicholas Monsarrat's novel 'This Is The Schoolroom'.<br />
Monsarrat (1910 -1979) who, in contrast to Willard Motley, was the son of a surgeon. He had been educated at Winchester and studied law at Cambridge. However, his love affair with the law was soon over and he drifted down to London where he worked as a freelance journalist. Between 1934 and 1939 he wrote four novels and a play - all but one drifted into obscurity.<br />
<br />
Monsarrat is best known for such novels as 'The Cruel Sea', 'The Tribe That Lost It's Head' and 'Three Corvettes'. The list could go on - but 'This Is The Schoolroom' is regarded as his first major (and, possibly, important) of his works.<br />
<br />
This is the story of Marcus Hendrycks is semi-biographical and set against the turbulent decade of the Thirties. After the death of his father Hendrycks quits University to become a freelance writer. Arriving in London he encounters revolution, hunger and death - and it is a wake up call.<br />
<br />
He discovers the poverty and filth of the slums and follows on a journey of love and violence to the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. This is the real world that his 'privileged position' had protected him from.<br />
<br />
'The best teacher is experience and not through someone's distorted point of view' - a quote from 1959 Pan edition of Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' could apply to 'This Is The Schoolroom'.<br />
<br />
'On The Road' kind of smacks you in the face. Sal Paradise is at a loose end. He has split from his wife and recovering from a serious illness. It is not long before he meets up with the crazy 'it's my life and I'll do what I want and to hell with the consequences' character that is Dean Moriarty. They embark on a road trip that criss-crosses America in an orgy of sex, drink, drugs and jazz.<br />
<br />
Jack Kerouac gave a vivid picture of a restless generation but has a deep undercurrent that has double act where the dominant partner is the reckless one who fails to accept any responsibility for his actions and in the process erodes Sal's dependence on him.<br />
<br />
As an aside there is a weird connection (in the movie) to 'On The Road' and 'This Is The Schoolroom'. At the end of the movie Sal Paradise sits at the typewriter and writes about the night his father died; the first line of 'This Is The Schoolroom' is "I was unusually drunk the night my father died". I laughed at this - I do believe that I read both books in consecutive order for me to make that connection years later.<br />
<br />
Three books - all read in 1960 when I was just fifteen. Perhaps, a couple fall into the 'forgotten books' category but should be revived. Certainly doesn't apply to Jack Kerouac. They were all influential at the time - and I still have them.<br />
<br />
Yet all three characters - Nick Romano, Marcus Hendryks and Sal Paradise - have one thing in common by facing all that life throws at them and get to come through it all. They may be 'rebels' but as David Bowie once sang 'Rebel Never Get Old' we just get in your face from time to time.<br />
<br />
The past is where it is - it shaped us and great to recall but it's not a place to dwell.<br />
<br />
I'll leave the last words to Jack Kerouac: 'Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me,as is everso on the road.'<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-18648937229764869742017-04-05T15:44:00.001+01:002017-04-05T15:44:16.076+01:00REFLECTIONS by Ray Foster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This was the first time that I opened a package and held a book that had my name on it.<br />
<br />
'Reflections' is what it says - reflecting on how life is and how it used to be. Interspersed, with those stories are others that are straight, pure fiction like the one about a killer stalking the streets preying on those who have a weakness or a hitman with an ulterior motive.<br />
<br />
The short story - well, that begins in the fifties. Thirty kids sitting in a classroom all doing composition during English lessons; honing a skill with a forty minute deadline. (Homework - what homework? We left education in the school where it belonged and went home to play.) That is how we grew.<br />
<br />
Third year - that was when I was introduced to Sherlock Holmes. Once a week the English master would read from Arthur Conan-Doyle's 'The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes'. Influenced? Very. What it did was to make me realise that there was a lot to the short story. It brought home to me that this was what composition/essays were.<br />
<br />
Inspiration came in all shapes and forms - in my case, books and movies - and,in one instance, cost me a pass in the 11 plus because my fueled up imagination took me on a journey that was the wrong one. One that I would repeat when asked to write about, on the same subject, just after I joined the Felixstowe Scribblers. That is one story in 'Reflections' so I won't spoil the fun here.<br />
<br />
Sadly, none of the short stories that I wrote back then seem to have survived.<br />
<br />
Most of those in 'Reflections' date from about 2000 and something on - some written during the period I spent in Felixstowe while others reflect times past in North Finchley and Orpington. I have added a couple of pieces of flash fiction that I did in conjunction with Pattinase's blog.<br />
<br />
In some respects I have needed to go back to where I started. I think I realised that when I wrote the Jack Giles short story 'A Time To Live' that appeared in 'Where Legends Ride'. Much easier than writing the full length novel 'Lawmen'.<br />
<br />
Music, too, both inspires me and plays like a soundtrack. Listening to Duane Eddy reminded me of a concert that I went to - it was a memorable day in more ways than one. Well, that's another story.<br />
<br />
I was once asked why I wrote.<br />
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My answer is simple: Because I can.<br />
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And because there will always be 'Reflections' to think about.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-83131157363065913172017-01-31T15:32:00.001+00:002017-01-31T16:52:24.113+00:00THE 294thThe following story was submitted to an anthology that was being put together by Operation Shoebox - a charity for those who fought in Afghanistan. (Copyright Ray Foster - 2013)<div>
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<br /></div>
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The 294th</div>
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He knew.</div>
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I saw it in Jack's eyes as I walked down the steps; as I looked back over my shoulder.</div>
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A chill ran down my spine. Maybe, it was as it should be. No point, now, in saying if only - but there is an if only.</div>
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If the Fire Brigade, who had offered me a job, had stopped messing me about and given me a posting then I would not have re-enlisted with the army.</div>
<div>
Funny when you think back. It was as though Jack and I had spent our whole life growing up together - we were always getting up to mischief. Together we were the masters of mischief, mirth and mayhem. From wearing Halloween masks and scaring the Christians who were having an anti-Halloween party to dropping tomato sauce soaked chips and things on the balloon seller's head - but the strawberry flavoured Slush Puppy was an accident. Still, it was funny to watch the sticky, icy goo slide down the balloons splattering both the balloon seller and passersby. And we laughed as we were chased around the shopping centre with the security guards on our tail - hard as they tried they never caught us.</div>
<div>
The older we got nothing changed. Instead of being chased we did the chasing - after girls. And we got drunk together.</div>
<div>
We even thought about joining the Army together.</div>
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That was where we met - at Army cadets - so it was only natural that we went down to the recruitment centre together. As I recall we were both 16 and fresh out of school. We filled out the forms but it was not until 2001 that I became a raw recruit.</div>
<div>
Jack didn't make it.</div>
<div>
By then, though, he had a steady job working as a fishmonger. He met a girl and got married and had kids. He had a stable family life. Despite that our friendship stayed firm. Over the years I would come home from Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and we'd pick up where we left off. Mind you, no matter where I was in the world endless text messages would pass between us.</div>
<div>
I was prepared to get back to grips with civvy life. I wanted some of what Jack had. Except that wasn't to be. Too much waiting around; sitting around watching DVDs and playing 'Call Of Duty' on the Xbox - not that the game came close to reality. That and getting under people's feet.</div>
<div>
And there was the lure of doing what I knew best.</div>
<div>
Afghanistan changes the way people look at things. Maybe, it's the action and the excitement - though not the usual way those words get used - I guess it is the adrenaline rush. It's like a drug. In Camp Bastion I may have been a joker but out in the field I was every bit the fighting man.</div>
<div>
Jack tried to talk me out of going back.</div>
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I knew where he was coming from but I needed to have a purpose in life.</div>
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The one thing that I can say, in hindsight, is that I am glad that we never joined up together. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself if he lived and I died. I know that I would have felt the same.</div>
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I guess when someone's time is up and it doesn't matter whether you are a soldier or a civilian - it's up.</div>
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You never see it coming - and, sometimes, you never hear it.</div>
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Blind and deaf you just hit the ground screaming.</div>
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Sometimes you can't scream - not when your face has been ripped off. Not when your throat has been carved through by shrapnel from a roadside bomb. In war there is no re-spawning to the last checkpoint as in video games - there are no second chances and the only screams you hear are inside your head.</div>
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And I thought - God, I was going to miss Jack's birthday. I had promised him a drink when I got back at the end of June. Only I wasn't going to make it.</div>
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The medic knelt by my shredded, legless body. He did what he could but he knew that I was as good as dead - yet he fought to keep me alive.</div>
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It would be another four hours of endless pain before I died.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Private Jon Monk rejoined the Army with the 2nd Battalion Princess Of Wales Regiment which was attached to the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment.</div>
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With Company C he was with the Danish Battle Group based at Patrol Base Rahim in the Adinzai area of the Upper Gershk Valley, Afghanistan.</div>
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On the morning of the 9th June, 2010, aged 25, he was killed by a roadside bomb.</div>
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He was the 294th soldier to die in Afghanistan.</div>
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The story, for the most part, is from conversations that I had with Jon and with Jack's recollections.</div>
<div>
Jon's injuries were as described to the best of my information.</div>
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-18030295665835812192016-11-22T10:14:00.000+00:002016-11-22T10:14:28.631+00:00TOM CLANCY'S THE DIVISIONAs Black Friday approaches it seems an appropriate time to mention The Division a computer/console game from Ubisoft Massive. This game was released in March 2016<br />
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This is a third person online only shooter set against the background of a sealed off Manhatten ruled by four factions. The hero/heroine that the player creates is a sleeper agent who is activated by the crisis to take and secure control of the city.<br />
<br />
The story opens with Black Friday underway, Scientist and eco-terrorist Gordon Amherst has impregnated dollar bills with a deadly virus that becomes known as 'green poison' or 'the dollar flu'. As the virus takes control the island of Manhatten goes into lockdown.<br />
In Brooklyn the Division agents gather and have to take down a gang of rioters who are attempting to take advantage of the situation. After this intro you join one of the senior officers, Faye Lau, to transfer to Manhatten. However, the transport helicopter is destroyed and Lau is badly injured in the explosion.<br />
After arriving at the base at Hudson Yards the agent is tasked with joining the Joint Task Force ( a kind of home guard) to take the Post Office to establish a base of operations. The place is a mess but as the agent finds various personnel like a doctor who is held prisoner in a sports stadium or a security chief trying to protect the Lincoln Tunnel from being flooded the place becomes habitable.<br />
Step by step the agent becomes aware of the bigger picture as to the origins of the virus. Against the agent are gangs of rioters; cleaners who are armed with flame throwers who believe that burning people will eradicate the disease; Rikers - escapees from Riker's Island prison and the LMB (Last Man Battalion) ex-soldiers who feel dis-enfranchised who have taken over the United Nations building.<br />
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As a game it is all very straight forward - it can be played solo or in a group.<br />
<br />
Despite a number of patches that are supposed to improve gameplay they have done nothing to rectify how scenery moves like a transparent shield that protects the bad guys but leaves the player vulnerable.<br />
<br />
Personally, I found some of the set pieces a touch questionable.<br />
For example a city without infrastructure the lights are still on. Everywhere the Christmas lights are ablaze but there is no one manning the power station.<br />
The first mission sees the agent rescue a doctor who is being held prisoner with her staff in a sports stadium restaurant. At street level the JTF wait to escort them over the road to the Post Office and that is the direction said doctor goes. But no sooner has the agent rescued the doc than the order comes through to clear the roof so that a helicopter can land and carry the doctor over the road. Logic fails and I can't help wonder----why? Doesn't make sense.<br />
In another task the agent is called upon to restore power in Times Square to switch the billboards on. Times Square is all lit up - as are the billboards so that when the quest is completed there is no change.<br />
When the storyline is completed I found myself wondering 'what happened next?'. The bad guy disappears so the storyline is not done. There is no sign of him in the new game add-on 'Underground' but there are still two game additions to come.<br />
<br />
Despite my gripes about the storyline there is very little wrong with the gameplay.<br />
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The game is available for PC and Xbox One and PS4 consoles.<br />
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-89375090296718409122016-11-09T12:40:00.000+00:002016-11-09T12:40:39.253+00:00SAMUEL ANDREWS 1836 - 1904<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Samuel Andrews was a candle maker born in Oaksey, Wiltshire but he was a technical genius who was set to change the face of America's oil production.<br />
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He arrived in America prior to the Civil War and settled in Cleveland, Ohio where he married Mary Cole in Cuyahoga County in 1859.<br />
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While working with shale oil production in the newly discovered oil fields of western Pennsylvania in 1862 he came up with a way to separate the different components of crude oil. This became known as fractional distillation.<br />
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Looking for investment for his ideas Samuel Andrews approached a local businessman, John D. Rockefeller, who saw a lot of potential in them. With investment Samuel Andrews designed and built a small refinery in Cleveland.<br />
<br />
So was born Standard Oil which was destined to make Samuel Andrews a fortune. To show off his new found wealth he built a mansion on Euclid Avenue aka Millionaires Row but it was over ambitious and unmanageable that it was left empty and derelict for 25 years before the bulldozers moved in. All that remains is a photo.<br />
<br />
However, not all went well between Andrews and Rockefeller. Rockefeller took the credit for marketing that capitalised on Andrews' ideas but Samuel was not comfortable with the aggressive way that the company was growing. Finally, Samuel Andrews sold out his share of Standard Oil in 1874.<br />
<br />
He was not a poor man when he died in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1904.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<br />
Normally I would have ended this biography there - but there is a tad more to add.<br />
<br />
As stated Samuel Andrews was married to Mary Cole who's brother John married Sarah Howe. Sarah Howe had a sister Hilary who had married Henry Griffiths. Henry Griffiths owned and ran a general store in Elyria, Lorain County, Cleveland. To cut a long story short Henry and Samuel were, for a better word, brothers in law.<br />
<br />
As it turns out both John D.Rockefeller and Samuel Andrews had a love of fishing and both would visit Henry Griffiths who had a small fishing lodge.<br />
<br />
The reason for this post-script draws a line under an old saying of my grandfather who, on being asked for a loan, would answer 'Who do you think I am? John D. Rockefeller?'<br />
<br />
Add to that Henry Griffiths is my three times great uncle and Samuel turned up as past of his history and I am indebted to the Stokes family for that.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-19867905896545420922016-11-02T11:16:00.004+00:002016-11-02T11:16:37.600+00:00THE DOLLY DOLLY SPY by Adam Diment<span style="background: #E0E0E0; color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 1967 Adam Diment was about to rewrite spy
fiction.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">There had been many contenders for Ian
Fleming's and James Bond's throne. 'Boysie' Oakes in John Gardner's 'The
Liquidator' (Gardner would take over the Bond franchise) and Doctor Jason Love
in 'Passport To Oblivion' (filmed as 'Where The Spies Are'). Add to the list
John Sanders with Nicholas Pym, the 'James Bond' of Oliver Cromwell's Secret
Service.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">So, enter Philip McAlpine. Tall, good looking
and a love of fast cars, fast living, pot, sex and all manner of things mod.
Truly a sixties child.</span><br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">Suddenly his creator, Adam Diment, was the
'big thing'. Both he and his creation were hailed as the true successors to
Fleming and Bond.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">'The Dolly Dolly Spy' is told in the first
person and appears to be a slow starter. McAlpine is coerced into working for
British Intelligence department 6(NC/NAC) by the head Rupert Quine who is
nothing like M. Quine is camp and prone to calling people 'luv' but this is
just window dressing for a man who has a nasty, sadistic streak and can resort
to blackmail with a smile on his face.</span><br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">Recruited McAlpine is sent to work for the
International Charter Inc a company that British Intelligence are interested
in. On the surface the company runs package holidays for tourists to the
Mediterranean island of Dathos. Underneath there is gunrunning and other
clandestine activities going on. As a perk for this McAlpine is well paid and
has the privelege of having his girlfriend, Veronica, live with him.</span><br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">But the easy living comes to an end when he
has to start earning his money and has to kidnap a former member of the Waffen
SS. The only trouble is that the Americans want him too and McAlpine is not a
subscriber to any 'special relationships'.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">What makes 'The Dolly Dolly Spy' stand out
from the crowd is Adam Diment's delivery. His hero says exactly what he thinks
and that goes all the way to make McAlpine real - like you were reading an
autobiography.</span><br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">There were three more books 'The Great Spy
Race', 'The Bang Bang Birds' and 'Think,Inc' the latter in 1971 after a gap of
three years. But that was the end as Adam Diment just disappeared from the
scene.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">There was talk of a movie with David Hemmings
but it came to nothing. Though, I do wonder if the McAlpine novels insired
Austin Powers though that character does not compare.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #E0E0E0;">If you liked Bond, then you will like McAlpine.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: #E0E0E0;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: #E0E0E0;">I wrote this piece a while back for a different blog.</span></span>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-70519437686665895502016-10-24T01:10:00.002+01:002016-10-24T01:10:44.147+01:00STEVE DILLON - 1962 to 2016Sadly one of the most popular comic book artists Steve Dillon died today.<br />
<br />
Born in Luton (England) in 1962 Steve Dillon began his career drawing for Marvel UK's Hulk magazine. His best known works, though, are 'Judge Dredd' and 'Rogue Trooper' drawn for the 2000 A.D. comic.<br />
<br />
He has also contributed to the Dr Who magazine and 'The Punisher' as well as being the co-creator and artist for the 'Preacher' series.<br />
<br />
Steve Dillon died today in New York City aged 54.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-32432405170920780442016-10-18T18:14:00.000+01:002016-10-18T18:14:09.895+01:00THE QUARANTINE ZONE by Ray FosterIncluded in the new Indie Collection anthology Spectacular Tales 111 is a short story titled 'The Quarantine Zone'.<br />
<br />
This is a story that has evolved over time - in fact sometime around 2000 to 2005.<br />
<br />
Back then I wrote a story called 'The End' where boy meets girl after an unnamed apocalyptic event. Girl loses boy who rides off into the sunset after telling her that he wasn't about to play Adam to her Eve.<br />
<br />
As a simple one thousand word piece it did a job of a kind. About three or four years ago I did an edit while I was with the writers group in Felixstowe. This did expand on the original idea but read out loud there was still something lacking.<br />
<br />
I was about to delete it from the computer when I was asked if I had anything that could be used in a sci-fi anthology. I should have said 'no' because I didn't think that the story was really fit for purpose but the theme rather saved it.<br />
<br />
The boy became a 55 year old man and the girl changed to a 21 year old rebel. They meet up in the same location in the aftermath of a devastating plague in an opening that has a 'western' flavour to it.<br />
<br />
As 'Red Moon Rising' it was published in Spectacular Tales 11.<br />
<br />
The Quarantine Zone is set in London and introduces three new characters and throws a different light on the plague. This time there is a Polish nurse, a girl shy security guard and a streetwise teenage boy - just three of the survivors trapped inside the fenced off grounds of a hospital.<br />
<br />
That story is not 'the end' though for within a couple of days of completing that story I started on a third that would bring another character to life.<br />
<br />
Even as I write this a plan is afoot to add some more stories. A bunch of short stories that will all link up to create a whole. An idea very much inspired by Hunter Davies 'I Knew Daisy Smuten'. This was a collection of short stories by various writers with Hunter Davies providing the finale. Add to the mix Howard Hopkins 'The Dark Riders' a western where the hero has to work out how to kill a gang of outlaws who refuse to die.<br />
<br />
I have learned that sometimes stories don't work even though the plot idea sounds good. Near enough a decade on and it has taken on a life of it's own. Simple message there is never give up - when the story is ready it will come.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-59281010194299327892016-10-06T23:57:00.000+01:002016-10-06T23:57:43.529+01:00CHANNEL DASH by Terence Robertson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
During February 1941 the German battle cruisers 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' just disappeared. They had got past the Home Fleet's patrols through the Denmark Strait and into the north Atlantic where over the ensuing months they had sunk around 300,000 tons of Allied shipping.<br />
This caused some disruption as the Home and Mediterranean fleets were depleted to provide escort along the shipping lanes. While, at the same time, trying to hem in both the 'Bismarck' and 'Tirpitz' in their Norwegian bases.<br />
<br />
Eventually, by chance the two battle cruisers were found to have reached Brest where they had docked along with the heavy cruiser 'Prinz Eugen'.<br />
<br />
Hitler was convinced that Allied forces were getting ready to make a possible invasion into Norway so he looked to Admiral Raeder to find a way to get the ships in Brest up to help with the defence. After much deliberation a plan was hatched - one that was so daring that many dismissed it as impossible.<br />
<br />
However improbable a scenario it represented the Allies had long put into action 'Operation Fuller' that would be implemented should the threat become reality.<br />
<br />
On the night of 14th February 1942 the R.A.F bombed Brest Harbour twice - on neither occasion were any of the ships hit. After the first raid photographic evidence showed them at anchor.<br />
At 9:45 pm that night the three ships slipped out of the harbour and disappeared into the night.<br />
<br />
A British spy tried to make contact but failed. The British submarine 'Sealion' that had been on watch had to dive in order to recharge the batteries and so missed their departure.<br />
<br />
So began the hunt for the German warships as they steamed their way up the English Channel right under the Allied noses.<br />
<br />
What followed was a series of blunders that would cost the life of Eugene Esmonde (who would be given the Victoria Cross) and his squadron of Fairey Swordfish as they attacked through unrelenting fire in an attempt to destroy their targets. Not so long before Esmonde and his squadron had distinguished themselves against the 'Bismarck'.<br />
<br />
As the German fleet approached Dover on the Kent Coast the task of halting the dash fell into the hands of the man behind the successful evacuation of the British Army from the beaches of Dunkirk - Admiral Ramsey.<br />
<br />
For the Germans it was a victory - for the Allies it was just a bewildering mass of confusion, bungling, mis-communication and disbelief by some.<br />
<br />
It had Churchill demanding: "Why?"<br />
<br />
Terence Robertson's book attempts to answer the question but it does boil down to a plan that was made for a contingency that no one really believed would happen. The drama of those twenty four hours comes vividly to life in this book - and for those who don't know about this episode from the second world war then this book is a good place to start.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-81803216170193281882016-10-03T15:55:00.001+01:002016-10-03T15:55:36.720+01:00THE MAGNIFICENT MENDOZAS by Ross Morton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePRKEesTpQaKGtMUdLHIAaCIgvxlSrgJ8NyB-3E_NUIZAMe8Mujp6IzSNfqeL224E4NK2yce5qWLWzB7ee5OSBMePl33LIhtVyzxXJ-AOk1qQhvVKzFjbhylJmxSKF02vhyphenhyphenjhcg-qOEY0/s1600/amag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePRKEesTpQaKGtMUdLHIAaCIgvxlSrgJ8NyB-3E_NUIZAMe8Mujp6IzSNfqeL224E4NK2yce5qWLWzB7ee5OSBMePl33LIhtVyzxXJ-AOk1qQhvVKzFjbhylJmxSKF02vhyphenhyphenjhcg-qOEY0/s1600/amag.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After entertaining the folk of the silver mining town of Conejos Blancos the travelling Mexican circus moves on.<br />
Yet while the audience had watched the death defying skills of the knife and trapeze artists, so Roger Hart is assembling a small army to take over the town and steal the silver in a well thought out plan of action.<br />
No sooner has the circus left than Hart's gang ride in. The sheriff is killed and the townspeople are taken hostage. Still the best laid plans do not take into account the ingenuity of children two of whom escape the outlaws net to fetch help.<br />
It is the circus performers that they turn to; people with the skills to bring the outlaws down.<br />
<br />
Armed with a strong cast of characters the story flows with lightening speed that takes it into 'unputdownable' territory.<br />
<br />
Ross Morton is a writer who entertains and knows his craft (check out Nik Morton's book "Write A Western In 30 Days"). There will be those who will think of a certain movie and there is a tip of the hat to it but this is not the major element as events encompass more 'heroes' than the title suggests.<br />
<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633265628054619928.post-35170038570969229442016-09-22T22:27:00.000+01:002016-09-22T22:27:18.426+01:00LARAMIE DAVIS: HIGH VALLEY MANHUNT by B.S.Dunn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
High Valley Manhunt is the first book featuring B.S.Dunn's hero Laramie Davis.<br />
<br />
Gunfighter Laramie Davis rides into the town of Rock Springs looking for a drink, a meal and a place to sleep. The hospitality he receives at the saloon soon puts him at ease with a free beer and a juicy steak in front of him. His moment of tranquility is interrupted by the local Deputy Sheriff who wants to buy Laramie's horse. This is someone who doesn't take 'no' as an answer for he is a member of the Coltrain family - and what a Coltrain wants so a Coltrain gets. As the deputy discovers when Laramie says his horse isn't for sale then stealing it isn't an option - and the confrontation ends with a shoot out that has Laramie on the run.<br />
<br />
Chased by Jeb and Zeb Coltrain, the sheriff and judge and the deputy's brother Laramie finds himself involved with outlaws, Blackfoot indians and a mountain man. Alliances are formed and broken in a bloody manhunt that leads to a final showdown.<br />
<br />
This is the first book that I have read by B.S.Dunn and was quite impressed by the strong characterisation and the way that the story played like a word/movie.<br />
<br />
There are three more Laramie Davis available in this series - all available on Kindle or paperbackRayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.com0